Nîmes - Nemausa and Nemausus

Symbol of the city of Nîmes - from a coin honoring Julius Caesar's capture of Egypt

Nîmes is a fascinating city.  You walk along tree lined avenue and then suddenly you are standing in front of a Roman temple, you go the other way and you wind up in front of a Roman arena.  No, I did not go to Rome!  This city, with Celtic origins, Gallo-Roman ruins and beautiful gardens is located about 1 1/2 hours west of Marseille.

We started our visit in the Place D'Assas. This modern square, formerly a public washing square, was designed by the painter and sculptor Martial Raysse in 1989.  There is a long fountain with heads spouting water, these statues represent Nemausa, the spring forming the origin of Nîmes and the god Nemausus, the male force of the city. 

Nemausa

Nemausus

Our next stop was La Maison Carrée, a beautiful temple dedicated to Caius and Lucius Ceasar.  The temple was originally the focal part of a much larger forum that can only be imagined by looking at the footprints of the former columns surrounding the temple.  Inside the temple, there is a film that explains the origins and history of the city.  It was interesting to find out that a Celtic tribe had settled in the area in the 6th century BC.  They built their lives around the spring, honoring it's deity and building a sanctuary.  Later, when the Romans arrived, they joined the legions without resistance helping to enlarge the Roman empire.

Statue and poster advertising the movie NEMAUSUS

Lunch outside on the terrace of a small Italian restaurant.

 Yum!

Les Arènes de Nîmes

The arena or amphitheater was constructed at the end of the 1st century AD.  It is one of the largest and best preserved arenas.  It was used to house all kinds of spectacles featuring animals and gladiators.  It now serves as a concert hall, sport arena, bullring, and museum.  We were able to visit the different levels of the arena, while listening to a wonderful audio-guide that explained the use of the the arena throughout the ages.  It was amazing to sit in the arena and imagine the gladiators fighting below and the crowds shouting above.  

We left the arena with one more stop to go, the Tour Magne.  We stopped for a chocolate break and continued on to the tower.  To get there we had to walk through the Jardins de la Fontaine (The Fountain Gardens).  The garden was constructed around the site of an ancient sanctuary and the spring around the 1st century BC.  Decorated in a traditional French style, it has many fountains, statues and vases.  We strolled up the hill, through paths shaded by by cypress and pine trees, to the highest point in the city.  The Romans built the Tour Magne on top of the original tower built by the Celtic tribe.  The tower now is 32 meters tall and offers a beautiful view of the city.

 It was dark when we finally made it down from the tower and out of the park.  Since the weather was so nice, we were not in a hurry to go home.  We had a beautiful day visiting this beautiful city.