Arles, France: description, sights

The city of Arles is one of the largest in Provence (France). It covers an area of 758 km² in the delta of the Rhône, just west of Marseilles. The city is famous for its ancient Roman sights. In addition, many tourists are attracted to the opportunity to see the city in which the great Van Gogh lived and worked.

From the history of the city

In ancient times this city in France was called otherwise - Arelat. His first inhabitants were ligers. Over time, the city became a commercial port, which later (123 BC.) Was taken over by the Romans. After the construction of the canal that connected the city with the Mediterranean Sea, Arelet was a strategically important settlement, although it was still inferior to Massilia (present-day Marseilles), located on the coast.

In the course of Caesar's war against Pompey, the townspeople took the side of Caesar, who, after the victory, granted Aralat numerous privileges. In the city there was a camp of the sixth region and a colony of veterans. Over time, the current Arles has become an important religious and cultural center of Narbonne Gaul - a province of the Roman Empire. Hence the spread of Christianity in Gali.

In the IV-V centuries, Emperor Constantine I built bathhouses in the city. Soon his son Konstantin II was born. In the VI century the Visigoths conquered and ravaged the city, and in 739 the authorities in Aralata passed to the Arabs. From 934 to 1032, Arles became the capital of the kingdom of Arles. The city lost its political independence in 1239 and was annexed to the provinces of Provence, ceding the importance of the main port to Marseilles.

Since 1481 the city is part of France. The economy of Arles declined at the end of the XV century, and it became one of the provincial towns of Southern France. Today it is an important industrial and agricultural center of France. There are many museums, historical and architectural landmarks, many of which are included in UNESCO's cultural heritage list. To get acquainted with them, you need to make a trip to the south of France. It is here that you can admire the unique monuments and enjoy the old atmosphere.

Arles, France: attractions

What is remarkable about this city? The south of France is characterized by the traditional urban development for these places - cozy small houses of white brick, which are covered with red tiles, with blue shutters on the windows - so today look the residential neighborhoods of Arles. Between the houses shady alleys are broken, in which it is always pleasant to relax on comfortable benches.

And in the center of the city are ancient Roman buildings, which many travelers associate with Arles.

Amphitheater

The pearl and one of the main attractions, which is famous for this city in France, is the Roman amphitheater. The researchers claim that it was built in 46 BC. In ancient times, it was the arena on which gladiatorial fights took place. The amphitheater housed almost 25 thousand spectators. Here, the legendary Hollywood film "Gladiator" was filmed.

In the 6th century AD the amphitheater was converted - it was turned into a fortification structure. All the arches and passages were laid, above were built watchtowers. Inside the fortress there were two chapels and about 200 houses. The main arena was the central square.

And only in the XIX century began to restore the original appearance of this ancient structure. Today it is a symbol of the city, one of the most popular and visited monuments. Here they stage operas, conduct theater performances and twice a year in bullfighting.

Cathedral

If you happen to visit the south of France, then, probably, you will be surprised by the huge number of temples and churches located in this relatively small area. Another attraction of the city, which is always visited by tourists, is the Cathedral of St. Trofim.

It is located in the heart of the city, next to the Roman ancient buildings. The cathedral in Arles (France) is built on the site where there used to be a more ancient structure - St. Stephen's Cathedral (5th century BC). In those days, Christianity in Europe was still banned, and Saint Trofim became his first propagandist, for which the bishop paid with his life - Trofim was brutally stoned.

The priest, who accepted martyrdom, was ranked as a saint. His relics were transferred to the temple in 1152, and at the same time the cathedral was renamed. Since 1981, the cathedral in Arles was included in the list of cultural heritage of UNESCO. The Resurrection of Christ, the Old Testament, as well as the stories from the earthly life of Saint Trofim and Stephen became the main themes of the monastery's design.

Necropolis

Aliskamp - Roman antique necropolis, where buried noble townspeople. Here I found my last shelter and Saint Trofim. In the Middle Ages, wealthy citizens of Arles wanted Aliskamp to become their last refuge.

Gradually expanded the city of Arles, in the XI-XIII century significantly increased the number of its inhabitants. In the ancient cemetery, several small churches appeared, from which only ruins have survived today. Already by the XVIII century Aliskamp became a museum in the open air. But in 1848 there was laid a section of the railway, which violated the integrity of the ensemble.

Due to the fact that over time this city in France significantly expanded its borders, the necropolis turned out to be one of the central districts of the city. Today, the museum complex is an alley that is surrounded on both sides by numerous sarcophagi. It leads to the temple of Saint Honorata. This place inspired the work of Gauguin and Van Gogh, who portrayed him in their canvases.

The Roman Theater

The oldest building in Arles (France). The Roman theater was erected during the reign of Emperor Augustus. He had 33 landing levels, accommodating about 8 thousand spectators. In the Middle Ages the theater turned into a quarry: a stone wall, which was brought from the Roman theater, was built a city wall. Several columns have survived from the back wall of the scene today.

Most of the artifacts discovered by archaeologists on the territory of the theater, these days can be seen in the Art Museum of the city and the Louvre. The sculpture of the Arles Venus, as well as the sculpture of the goddess Diana, which was discovered in 1651, are considered the most valuable finds.

Thermal baths

This complex is sure to recommend to visit the townspeople, if you come to Arles. France has several similar structures on its territory, but this complex, according to experts, was the best preserved. Thermal baths bearing the name of Emperor Constantine were built in the northern part of the city. Until now, from the once huge complex of structures that resembled a luxurious palace, there have been few.

Abbey of Montmazur

This impressive structure, located 5 km from the city of Arles (France), is located on a rocky hill. Externally, the Abbey of Montmazur resembles a fortress. It was erected in the 10th century and was considered in Europe (in the Middle Ages) one of the most visited objects of pilgrimage. The rest of the monasteries of this region were founded by monks who came from the Abbey of Montmazur.

In ancient times, the valley surrounding the hill was swamped, but before the construction of the monastery it was drained. At the beginning of the 18th century, baroque buildings appeared in the abbey, as the buildings built in the 12th century fell into disrepair. In 1786, the abbot Roan was accused of the "necklace" case and the abbey was closed, most of the church property was confiscated by the city authorities and sold.

Museums

In this French city there are many interesting places. Do not think that only the ancient Roman buildings you can be surprised by Arles (France). What to see in the city, besides these monuments? We recommend to visit the museum Arlatan, founded in 1896 by Nobel Prize winner Frederic Mistral. The monument was erected on the Forum Square.

The exposition of the museum contains a rich collection of documents, paintings, clothes and personal belongings of the inhabitants of Provence. Here is the evolution of the clothing of the inhabitants of Arles of all social classes, from the XVIII century to the First World War.

The Reattu Museum

In Arles, you should definitely visit the Reattu museum, which is housed in a picturesque 15th century monastery, opposite the term of Constantine. The most part of the exposition consists of strict works of art of the XVIII centuries.

Especially popular among visitors to the museum is the sculpture "Woman with a violin" by Picasso, as well as 57 of his drawings made in color pencil and ink. Among clowns and bifurcated persons you can see the portrait of his mother that is amazing in its simplicity and originality. Behind the Reattu museum stretches along the embankment a series of street lamps. Van Gogh was very fond of walking here.

Most of the promenade with its bistro and bars during the war (1942) was destroyed. The victim of airstrikes in Nazi Germany was the "Yellow House", located on Lamartine Square, where Van Gogh lived for a long time.

Camargue Park

Nature lovers can enjoy the beauty of the Camargue National Park. Here you can observe how graceful pink flamingos, wild ducks, horses of rare Camargue breed behave in natural conditions.

This park will enchant you with lush and varied vegetation. You will enjoy walking along its shady paths and breathe crystal clear air.