Learn more about our PokéStops!

Posted: August 10, 2016 - 12:51 , by ROM
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ROM Social Media, ROM Learning | Comments () | Comment

As Pokémon GO continues to be played around the world, our Digital Content Producer, Sarah Elliott thought she'd share a little more information about the PokéStops located around the Museum. As some trainers have found out, the game's GPS may not be as accurate as they would like but here's a list of PokéStops that have a ROM connection and a little bit more about them!

 

The Crystal Battleground

The ROM's Gym sits atop the Michael Lee Chin Crystal. Architect Daniel Libeskind sketched his original design for this massive aluminum and glass extension on a paper napkin while he was at a family wedding at the ROM. Years later, after using 3,500 tons of steel, 38 tons of bolts, and pouring 9,000 cubic metres of concrete, the Crystal was finally completed in 2007. Inside the Crystal you can find dinosaurs, art and objects from Africa, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific, and special exhibitions like Chihuly.

Screenshot of Pokemon in the ROM gym

 

Giant Dino

This dinosaur shouldn’t be hard to find; it’s the biggest dinosaur on display in Canada! The giant Futalognkosaurus dukei stretched over 33 metres long and weighed as much as ten elephants. Its fossils were discovered in Argentina. What we have on display is a copy, or cast, of the original dinosaur. Casting experts measured the original fossils, and then created the plastic and fibreglass skeleton for the museum. Futalognkosaurus has recently become the ROM's second gym!

Screencap of Pokemon in the Futalognkosaurus gym

 

Guardian Lions

The Guardian Lions have moved around quite a bit for such heavy creatures – each one weighs 17 tons. Originally carved in China in the 17th century, they began their lives as protectors and defenders of a royal estate before coming to guard the ROM's Chinese gallery in 1923. From there, they moved outside to a garden, inside to a gallery, back outside to another garden, and finally to their current home in 2003, when construction began on the Crystal. Can you tell which lion is which? The male has his paw on a fancy ball, and the female is playing with her little cub as it chews on her claws.

 

A Tale of Two Emperors

Lucius Verus ruled Rome from 161 until his death in 169 CE, but he didn't do it alone. He was adopted by Emperor Antonius Pius as his heir, and was made co-emperor by his adoptive brother Marcus Aurelius, whose daughter he married. Portraits like this one would have sat in public places to show people what their emperor looked like and how impressive he was. Lucius Verus considered himself the most handsome of all the emperors, and even highlighted his hair and beard with gold dust! Can you see how a drill was used to carve his lifelike hair?

 

A Famous Pharaoh

Thutmose III, nephew of the famous female Pharaoh Hatshepsut, ruled Egypt from 1479 to 1425 BCE. He is known for his military campaigns that expanded the empire of Egypt into Asia and Africa. One legend says that he conquered the city of Joppa by pretending to surrender and offering sacks and baskets of goods to the city as tribute. Little did the citizens know that the "tribute" actually contained Egyptian soldiers ready to leap out and conquer the city!

 

The Greek Goddess

This statue is a copy of a famous Greek bronze statue that was made about 2,400 years ago, which is how we know that it's Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, even though she's missing her head! She's wearing a Greek garment called a chiton that fastens at one shoulder, and she has sandals on her feet. Can you spot the heavy shawl called a himation that drapes across her back? She was pulling it up with her right hand to cover her hair, and her missing left hand held an apple from a famous Greek myth.

 

A Generous Gift

The Weston Family Wing is named after the family of Galen Weston (owner of Loblaws) in thanks for their help with the ROM's expansion and renovation. In the Weston Family Wing, you can be inspired by European art and architecture; explore galleries filled with rocks, minerals, meteorites, and gemstones; and learn about life in early Canada. The Weston Family Wing is also the home of @ROMKids Studio and their many family programs, and the President's Choice School Entrance where @ROMLearning welcomes visiting students.

 

Reach for the Stars

From 1968 to 1995, the concrete dome atop this building housed the "Theatre of the Stars," where museum visitors could take in shows about the stars and our neighbouring planets. Starting in the 1980s, evening visitors could also rock out to laser light shows under the dome. Though the Planetarium is now owned by the University of Toronto, the ROM is still taking visitors to space through our school programs, travelling planetarium, and meteorite displays in the Teck galleries.

 

And here's a note from our Head of Security on playing Pokémon GO inside the museum, stay safe everyone!