Revealing the Roman origins of the city
Underlining layers of history in the heart of Utrecht
The origins of the city
The Dutch city of Utrecht was founded by the Romans around the year 50 AD. Along the Rhine they constructed a fort, a so-called castellum, as part of the Lower Germanic Limes border and defence zone. The remains of the castellum lie four metres under Domplein, a square that now lies in the heart of the city, next to the famous Domtoren. On top of that, several layers mark the city’s history. The Domplein Foundation aimed to make the city’s past visible and tangible. The project, that also includes a visitor centre on the Domplein Square as well as tours and events, envisioned a way to display the historic castellum wall and its historic significance.
Small intervention, great significance
The design consists of a series of small interventions with great significance. The underground castellum wall is marked in the street plane by a single line of cor-ten steel elements, positioned directly above the original Roman wall. Visitors entering the square experience this line as if they are stepping over the threshold of the historic fort. Engraved in the elements is a map-like demarcation of the borders of the Roman Empire, displaying the castellum as part of the whole defence line.
Light spectacle
A colourful mist emerges from the ground. Like an ethereal wall of light, it projects on the surroundings. The history of the place is thus made visible, yet at the same time remains elusive and is a clear contemporary projection of what was once there.
On special occasions and holidays, the mist intensifies during sunrise and sunset, creating an even more dramatic transition to the square. Depending on the specific event and conditions, this mist changes its colour accordingly.