The gladiators march into the amphitheater of the LVR Archaeological Park Xanten with their weapons, tridents and swords drawn. The crowd goes wild - just as it did in the first and second centuries AD. Tens of thousands of people come to the Limes Festival, and some of the visitors fill the rows of seats in the arena on both days of the event. They let Titus, Gaius and Marcus take them back to the ancient Roman Empire, or more precisely to the port city of Colonia Ulpia Traiana, which was one of the largest military settlements on the Rhine and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Lower Germanic Limes.
Legionary troops patrol the paths, shouting marching orders at the top of their voices. They come from all over the world and have traveled to Xanten especially for the event. It is a unique sight when the groups of performers form a long procession that starts to move.
Roman provincial and military life
Standard bearers and commanders lead the way. The formations stand in rank and file. Behind city walls and gates, the event team makes history tangible. Up to 400 performers, craftsmen and traders take part in the Limes Festival at the same time to give guests an impression of Roman provincial and military life that is as close to reality as possible.
The activities range from craft demonstrations such as pottery and blacksmithing to peaceful camp life on the provincial border and demonstrations with large catapults.
