Tour Magne
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The Tour Magne is a monument from the Gallo-Roman era in Nîmes . In its oldest parts dating from the 3rd century BC, the tower is one of the oldest buildings in Europe.
Originally 36 meters high, it is only 32.50 meters today. Its octagonal base encloses a dry stone tower - hence the irregularity of its shape. A cranked , 70 meter long ramp, of which the southern beginning and the last arch are still preserved, led to the tour that enclosed the first floor. From there you could get to the top of the wall, which connected to the west and north at this level. Above this storey, which is integrated into the city wall, the tower built on a polygonal floor plan is completely windowless. Access to the terrace, which originally crowned the tower, was then via an inner staircase. The next floor was with Tuscan pilastersadorned, the top one, of which almost nothing is left, with columns .
Anyone entering the Tour Magne today can recognize the old natural stone tower on which the Roman monument was built as a negative form. 18 meters high, it comes from pre-Roman, Gallic times and was built in the 3rd century BC. Built in BC; Thomas Platter saw the tower hollow as early as 1596.
There are many speculations about the original purpose of the building. In Roman times, as part of the city wall, it played a role for defense, guard and probably also for communication. By doubling its height, the Romans demonstrated their power.
The tower is obtained from the Société culturespaces .
Literary reception
The Tour Magne became famous for the following polysyllabic rhyming poem:
"Gall, amant de la Reine, alla, tour magnanime,
Galamment de l'arène à la tour Magne, à Nîmes."
Web links
- Nimes-romaine.com website
Coordinates: 43 ° 50 ′ 35 " N , 4 ° 20 ′ 58" E