Ptuj transforms into Roman Poetovio for annual festival
Ptuj, 16 August - Ptuj, Slovenia's oldest town, will be catapulted back to ancient Roman times for the 17th year running today to turn into Roman Poetovio for three days. The Roman Games festival will see over 800 participants from seven countries recreate the life and customs from 2000 years ago when the town was a major trade and craft centre.
Ptuj
The 10th Roman Games in Ptuj in 2017.
Photo: Andreja Seršen Dobaj/STA
File photo
Until the end of the week the north-eastern Slovenian town will be teeming with gladiators, legionnaires, senators, and other ancient figures. According to Andrej Klasinc, president of the Poetovio LXIX Association, the event is one of the largest presentations of the Roman period in this part of Europe.
The main events will take place on Saturday, with the central procession in Ptuj's old town centre and accompanying activities in the town market.
Additionally, the Roman camp Poetovio, not far from the town centre, will once again feature presentations of life in ancient Rome. There will be a Roman camp with legionnaires, gladiators, and barbarians, while a children's camp will cater to the youngest visitors.
Plenty of culinary delights will be on offer, and participants from various groups will demonstrate their ancient skills across the four-hectare site.
The event will conclude on Sunday with a day for families, where visitors will be able to enjoy themselves in Roman style, with Roman grape harvests and a ceremonial closing.
Between 5,000 and 7,000 visitors are expected over the three days. Some guests are also coming from abroad, particularly those who are serious enthusiasts of the ancient period.