Our City, Our Story: Deva Victrix in VR

Step back 2,000 years and experience Chester like never before. Our City, Our Story: Deva Victrix in VR invites you to enter a powerful virtual reality reconstruction of Chester’s Roman amphitheatre currently under development by the University of Chester in collaboration with IMITO and digital artist Julian Baum (Take27). The project is supported by public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Stand where gladiators once stood. Walk the amphitheatre floor. Experience the past brought vividly to life through cutting‑edge immersive technology.

This experience puts Chester’s people at the heart of their own history. We’d like you to step inside a carefully researched digital reconstruction of the Roman amphitheatre and meet characters inspired by real people who lived in Deva Victrix nearly 2,000 years ago and tell us what you think. Your feedback will then be used to develop this experience further.

Rather than simply looking at objects, you will meet people from the past: a soldier, a trader, a gladiator and a Romano-British lady, all living at the edge of empire, offering insight into everyday Roman life. Grounded in archaeological and historical evidence and shaped with educator input from the University of Chester, these encounters highlight the diversity of Roman Chester and invite reflection on identity, belonging, and movement both then and now.

This activity includes the use of VR technologies (headsets) for use while static (seated if desired).  The event does not require booking but please be aware that due to the limited number of headsets available, you may need to wait a few minutes at busy times until a headset becomes available. We will try our best to keep you entertained during your wait!

Come and help bring Chester’s past back to life. This is history you don’t just see, you step inside it.

Research participation

As part of this event, we welcome you to try the virtual‑reality (VR) experience and, if you wish, to take part in an anonymous survey about your experience. Participation in the research is entirely voluntary. If you choose to take part, you are free to withdraw at any point up until your anonymous survey is submitted.

All information collected during the research will be anonymous and kept strictly confidential. Any personal information or survey responses will be fully anonymised in any written outputs from the research.

You are very welcome try the VR experience without taking part in the research - simply choose not to complete a feedback form.

FAQ 

Is this event suitable for children? 

Yes, this event is suitable for people of all ages.

Is this event dog friendly? 

Unfortunately, we are not able to welcome dogs on this event.