Roman city walls of Le Mans
The Roman city wall of Le Mans , the old Vindinum or Vindunum , capital of the Celtic - Gallic tribe of the Cenomans , was built at the end of the 3rd century. It has been very well preserved over a distance of around 500 meters and is adorned with interesting geometric ornaments made from polychrome structural elements.
history
The erection of the Roman city wall was one of the most extensive construction measures that were carried out in Vindunum. The wall was built between 270 and 310 under Diocletian in order to be prepared against the migration of peoples at the end of the imperial crisis of the 3rd century . Its function is confirmed until the Middle Ages, when it withstood the attacks of the Bretons and Vikings. During this time it was partially destroyed and rebuilt.
Since the 1980s it has been uncovered - especially in the entire western part - completely restored and upgraded. It is illuminated on special occasions.
description
Originally it formed an irregular square 450 × 200 m along the Sarthe . At its base, the fortification wall was up to 4 meters thick. The wall was over 1,300 meters long and designed in a uniform concept. It was reinforced with a total of 26 fortified towers and was based on the topographical features of the site.
The entire underground section of this ensemble has been preserved, as well as a large part of the circular wall with 11 towers and 3 exit gates, this is essentially the facade along the Sarthe.
The type of wall corresponds to the usual Roman architectural style, consisting of a barrier in concrete and mortar between two walls in an ornamental bond . It rests on wooden post gratings . It consists of rose-colored sandstone ( pierre de roussard ), typical red bricks of the region in combination with a pink-colored mortar and alternating with limestone , which give the wall its characteristic color. The friezes , which extend up to 8 meters high on the front, reflect the architectural and artistic skills of the builders.
When building the wall, materials from older buildings ( Spolia ) were used. One can therefore find in the wall the fragments of columns and pediments from earlier monuments.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b The Roman city wall ( Memento of March 8, 2009 in the Internet Archive ), office de tourisme du Mans
- ↑ L'enceinte gallo-romaine
literature
- Joseph Guilleux: L'Enceinte romaine du Mans . Jean-Michel Bordessoules, 2002, ISBN 2913471153 .
Web links
Coordinates: 48 ° 0 ′ 30.5 ″ N , 0 ° 11 ′ 42.8 ″ E