Alba-la-Romaine
| Alba-la-Romaine | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| region | Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | |
| Department | Ardèche | |
| Arrondissement | Privas | |
| Canton | Berg-Helvie | |
| Community association | Ardèche Rhône Coiron | |
| Coordinates | 44 ° 33 ' N , 4 ° 36' E | |
| height | 135-554 m | |
| surface | 30.46 km 2 | |
| Residents | 1,444 (January 1, 2017) | |
| Population density | 47 inhabitants / km 2 | |
| Post Code | 07400 | |
| INSEE code | 07005 | |
| Website | Alba-la-Romaine | |
 Alba-la-Romaine - View of the town |
||
Alba-la-Romaine is a southern French city and a municipality with 1,444 inhabitants (at January 1, 2017) in the department of Ardèche in the Region Auvergne Rhône-Alpes .
Location and climate
The historic old town of Alba is located on an approx. 200 m high basalt rock of volcanic origin that dominates the river plain. The entire place is located in Bas Vivarais south of the Coiron mountain range on a limestone plateau in the plain of the Escoutay river, about 10 km (as the crow flies) west of the Rhône . The closest larger city is Montélimar, approx. 18 km to the east . The climate is temperate to warm; Rain (approx. 825 mm / year) falls over the year.
Population development
| year | 1800 | 1851 | 1901 | 1954 | 1999 | 2017 | ||
| Residents | 833 | 1,578 | 1,264 | 732 | 1,135 | 1,444 | ||
| Sources: Cassini and INSEE | ||||||||
The phylloxera crisis and the mechanization of agriculture led to a significant population decline in the second half of the 19th and first half of the 20th century, which, however, subsequently led to a renewed increase in population.
Economy and Transport
The main sources of income for the population are agriculture, viticulture and tourism. The cultivation of vines has a long tradition in this region and was already practiced under the Romans. There is a wine cooperative, a few retail stores and craft dealers. A weekly market is held on Sundays.
history
From the 1st to the 5th century Alba was the capital of the Helvier , a relatively small Celtic people. As Roman citizens, they named the place in Latin Alba Augusta Helvorum . Under Emperor Augustus , the village was magnificently embellished in Roman style - a forum , thermal baths , an aqueduct and a theater were built .
In the 4th century Alba was the seat of the first Helvetic diocese before the place was completely destroyed by the Vandals . As a result of this catastrophe, the diocese was moved to Viviers in the 5th or early 6th century .
In the Middle Ages, the place was called Aps , named after its first liege lords who settled in the fortified castle. Then the community came into possession of the Adhémar and the Baume-Suze . During this time, a twin village with the name La Roche was created next to Aps . This was developed according to the same blueprint and also had a castle on a basalt rock . After Albas was destroyed again, the village was rebuilt in the 6th century on a steep slope above the Roman ruins.
In the 12th century, individual districts were repeatedly rebuilt after Alba was devastated for the third time in the wars of religion. In the 13th century the citizens were granted a tax exemption charter. The barony of the community, which was first mentioned in the 11th century, allowed the feudal lords from 1604 to become members of the twelve barons who administered the areas of Vivarais .
On November 20, 1903, the municipality of Aps got its original name back, Alba, which was expanded to Alba-la-Romaine on June 5, 1986 in memory of the old Roman settlement.
Attractions
- The municipality of Alba is best known for its approximately 30 hectare archaeological site. During their excavation, which began in the 19th century under the direction of the astronomer Honoré Flaugergues , the remains of a Roman theater were discovered, which in antiquity could accommodate up to 3,000 spectators and is still used for events today. In addition, traces of Roman settlements have been found under the name Palais et Pinard . A Roman bridge still crosses the Escoutay River today .
- Many finds from the Roman city - including pieces of mosaics and a milestone - are presented in the nearby MuséAl .
- The Château d'Alba was probably built in the 11th century; in its current form it dates from the end of the Middle Ages, but was extensively restored and rebuilt in the 17th century. At that time it combined the functions of a military base and a residence for the feudal lords. Today it bears witness to the power and prestige of the municipality of Alba in the Middle Ages. In addition, it is still used for contemporary art exhibitions and concerts during the summer.
- The Saint-André chapel, first mentioned in 1281, was built in the 10th century, but later turned out to be much too small. It was sold in 1599 and replaced by the Saint-André church in the 16th century . At that time, the building served as a parish office, community center and school at the same time. Another tourelle on the outer wall is worth mentioning . Other sacred buildings are the Saint-Martin chapel in La Roche and the ruins of the old Saint-Pierre priory .
- Remains of an old city fortification and a castle can be seen in the neighboring town of La Roche.
Others
On the wall of the Jewish cemetery in the north of Bonn is a grave relief of the first person from Bonn known by name, a Roman legionnaire who came to the Rhine from Alba Helviorium in 35 AD . The inscription reads, translated from Latin: “To Publius Clodius, son of Publius, from the ancestral district of Voltinia (roughly today's Provence), born in Alba, soldier of the 1st Legion, 48 years old, with 25 years of service [deceased]. He is buried here. "
literature
- Marcel Le Glay : Alba Helviorum (Alba) Ardèche, France . In: Richard Stillwell et al. a. (Ed.): The Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites. Princeton University Press, Princeton NJ 1976, ISBN 0-691-03542-3 .
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Alba-la-Romaine - Climate tables
- ^ Alba-la-Romaine Museum
- ↑ Alba-la-Romaine - Sights
- ↑ Klaus Polak / Nadine Martin: Bonn, CityGuide , 2nd edition, p. 155, Reise Know-How Verlag 2010, ISBN 978-3-8317-1983-9