Take part in reviving the Roman past and mark out your steps on the „European Cultural Route of the Roman Emperors and Wine along the Danube”!

The atmosphere of the ancient world with its Roman legionnaires, Dacian warriors, gladiators, is revived by the reenactment group from Alba Iulia, the Apulum Guard, which has a large public presence during the tourist season.

The ISTER project presents you this event as a good practice in the context of drawing attention to the Roman cultural heritage. By means of visualization and real representation, one can be drawn into the experiencing the history, thus – being keen on to it. With respect to the Roman history and traditions, namely that is the result for the audience, attending the military reconstitutions in the ancient Apulum Castrum.

Our project partners from Alba Iulia suggest this event as a must-see performance.

Let`s discover the 10 reasons to take part in the "clashes" between Dacians and Romans, in the Alba Iulia Fortress, the largest citadel in Romania:

• You will discover the military equipment of Dacians and Roman legionnaires. Romans wear segmented lorica, and iron helmets, with neck protection; the Dacians are equipped with chain shirts, made of metal scales or leather, and wear helmets on their heads;

• You will become familiar with the military commands of those times: “dirige frontem!” (lead the front!); “scurta capere!” (raise the shield!); “ad scutum transforma!” (turn 180 degrees!); „pugnate!” (fight!); “resucita!” (resurrect!) etc;

• You will see what were the dreaded weapons of the two camps: the red shields of the Romans, the long-bent swords of the Dacians;

• You will witness the fierce confrontations between the disciplined Roman army and the Dacian warriors. Each camp chooses its strongest fighters and sends them into battle. “Pugnate!” (fight!) is the command that announces the beginning of "clashes";

• You will have the opportunity to participate in archery demonstrations. After each camp chooses its representative for the bow-handling demonstration, the organizers launch the challenge for those in the audience as well.

• Historical reenactment shows will fascinate children in particular. The military costumes, the weapons, the battles, the theatricality that the fighters show, will captivate the little ones;

• You will witness a real show of strength staged by gladiators. They are the ones who impress the audience with muscle, strength and courage;

• There are shows where you can play an active role. You can choose between rescuing or killing a downed gladiator;

• You will participate in living history lessons, staged by the reactors of the Apulum Guard, the band that recreates the atmosphere of the ancient Apulum (Latin name of the city of Alba Iulia). In order to meet the requirements of reenactment shows, the combatants thoroughly train and document for months. Every reenactor must know, first of all, the historical character he embodies on the battlefield, whether he is a captain or a simple soldier.

• At the end of the battles, you will have the opportunity to take photo sessions with the fighters, but also to find answers to various questions, about equipment and weapons, as well as about the famous battles in which the Romans legions were confronted.

The program of the ancient reenactment shows from Alba Iulia Fortress: every Friday, until October 8, 2021;

Why such events of military reconstitutions in Alba Iulia? The answer is simple and well-argued: the current city rises above the ruins of the ancient Apulum, the largest Roman city in the province of Dacia and, at the same time, its political, economic, military and cultural center.

The traces of the Apulum Castrum are part of the „European Cultural Route of the Roman Emperors and Wine along the Danube”.

Copyright photos: FACEBOOK/Florin Muntean Photografy