Roman villas in Limburg
ExhibitionDate: to
Location: De Vondst
The luxurious country life of Limburg in Roman times
Two thousand years ago, hundreds of Roman villas, as the Romans themselves called them, stood in Limburg: enormous arable farms that supplied the entire region with grain. More than twenty of these estates have been excavated and investigated in the past hundred years, after which the finds were scattered. The most important archaeological villa finds were brought together for the first time in this exhibition.
Luxury country living
Over time, the villas in Limburg grew into complete country houses in Mediterranean style, including a bathhouse and Roman inventions such as glass windows and underfloor heating. Often the owners had themselves buried with their valuables on their own property. With more than two hundred objects, models, 3D reconstructions and film, Roman villas in Limburg took visitors back to this luxurious country life of two thousand years ago.
Reconstructed wall painting
Eye-catchers were the reconstructed meter-high wall painting from Maasbracht with depictions of gladiators and villa residents, and a look at the home of the 'lady of Simpelveld'. Her villa and the interior were depicted in the sculpture of the sarcophagus in which she was buried. Visitors also saw roof tiles and agricultural implements, but also statues of amber, luxurious mosaics and glassware. Personal belongings of villa residents, such as a perfume holder or a bronze make-up box, told more about who they were, what they did and where they came from.
Stories and an interactive exploration
The objects played a role in the stories about Roman life, agriculture in Limburg and the significance of the lands within the larger Roman network. Special attention was paid to the residents of the villas, from the lady of the house to the people who worked the land. Through an interactive exploration, visitors discovered how the 'villa of Voerendaal' was expanded and renovated over the course of three hundred years. The portrait of the 'lady of Voerendaal', who was buried at the villa, was also on display there.
Grain trade
The Limburg villas supplied all the inhabitants of the region with grain between the first and third century AD. They lived in cities such as Heerlen, Xanten and Cologne. The soldiers along the limes, the northern border of the Roman Empire, were also customers. Grain was traded to the furthest corners of northwestern Europe. This happened via the extensive network of Roman (water)ways.
Villa rustica
A Roman villa rustica consisted of a luxurious country house surrounded by extensive grounds with storage areas, houses, stables, workshops, ornamental gardens and large fields of arable land. Archaeological excavations show that dozens of people lived and worked there. When Roman power declined at the end of the third century, the villas were destroyed, burned down and abandoned. Nowadays, there is almost nothing left to be seen in the Limburg landscape.
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