A new immersive experience will allow visitors to dive into the daily life, legends, and rituals of ancient Rome, as announced by the municipality in the Coimbra district.
Guided tours featuring reenactments will take place over the two days of the event and are free to attend, though prior registration is required by 1:00 PM on Friday via the email se*************@********ga.pt.
The event, “Glimpse of an Empire,” traditionally features a rich program of historical animation, parades, a Roman market, and artisan workshops set amidst the Roman ruins of Conímbriga, Portugal’s most visited archaeological site.
“This is not just a cultural event; it is a statement of our identity, created with the involvement of the entire community,” said Nuno Moita da Costa, mayor of Condeixa-a-Nova, in a statement.
Highlighting it as a successful effort within the municipal strategy for tourism promotion, the mayor emphasized that the event exemplifies how historical heritage can be valorized and create unique experiences for visitors to Conímbriga.
The installation of thermal baths at the venue is another novelty of “Glimpse of an Empire,” inspired by ancient Roman wellness practices, where the public is invited to experience a brief session of relaxation with massages and perfumes, “evoking the hygiene and leisure rituals of the ancient baths of Conímbriga, where physical health intersected with socializing and spiritual balance.”
The service, free of charge and requiring prior registration at the municipal tent, will be available on Saturday from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM and on Sunday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, featuring two massage tables and a team of four masseurs, with sessions lasting approximately 10 minutes.
The municipality of Condeixa-a-Nova recently debuted two new promotional videos related to the initiative, presented at BTL 2025 in Lisbon – one of which transports viewers to the cinematic atmosphere of ancient Rome recreated in Conímbriga, and the other offers a close-up perspective of the audience’s experiences and emotions.
