Roman life in virtual reality: Arabic windows into the empire's past

Step into a Roman bath and take a seat in its theater at sunset, or arrive by sea at a port whose quays are teeming with goods. These are scenes that a new digital project allows visitors to Ostia Antica in Italy to explore virtually, set against the backdrop of the city’s remaining ruins.

According to the Ostia Antica Archaeological Park Authority, the experience is available to the public through the “Ostia Antica” app, as well as through VR-equipped stations on-site and at the adjacent Imperial Port complex.

Visitors can download the app for free and point their smartphones at informational plaques near landmarks to access images, illustrations, and explanations translated into 11 additional languages, including Arabic. The app also features panoramic images of buildings closed for protection and safety reasons, along with virtual reconstructions of landmarks from the viewer’s vantage point.

The guided paths lead visitors through the city gate, the Baths of Neptune and their mosaics, and on to the theater. Another route passes by multi-story residences, shops, and the Forum square, which was the center of public life at the time.

In the port area, another experience simulates a ship’s journey into the Claudian port before reaching Trajan’s hexagonal basin, accompanied by virtual scenes of cargo loading and unloading activities.

The immersive experience using standalone VR headsets requires an additional ticket.

The park authority states that the project aims to help the public imagine the life these places once hosted, while keeping visits to the actual archaeological sites as the core of the experience.