arles

The Roman Theatre (Theatre Antique seated around 12,000. 1st century in the Augustan period, was built by Augustus, Caesars adopted son. . (ca 27 ca ad - 25 ad). The stones were quarried in 5 c A.C. And the theater was used as a fortress in the 9th century. In 1825 excavation began and the dwellings and churches were removed. Parts of the theater are well preserved and some statues and architectural decorations are also preserved. However, However, due to the size of the site and considerable loss of original material on the upper section, in the end, only the cavea (lower section of the benches), stage and Roland tower were restorable. The stone - The first stage of works was completed in 2007. The bench blocks were so extremely deteriorated that the patrimonial architect in charge chose Verger stone from Burgundy to replace the missing pieces. Verger proved to be closest to the original for grain and colour. Furthermore it possesses technical qualities that suit outdoor usage.

A model of the theater depicts how it was overlaid with private dwellings, churches and gardens until the theater was discovered in the 17th century.

Baths of ConstantinRemains of Roman baths. These were once part of a large villa on the edge of the river. Remnants of the ancient baths – the Thermes of Constantine – are still visible to visitors, including the cold pools, the “hot” rooms, and the ventilation system for the hot air that circulated through the walls.played a major social role as a place for meetings and discussions. The baths of Constantine dating back to the beginning of the 4th century are only partially restored.

amphitheatre building The Roman amphitheater at Arles could seat twenty thousand spectators.

Because of its extensive ruins, ARLES is a , a UNESCO World Heritage site, Roman monuments include the Roman theatre, e cryptoporticus (subterranean galleries) – date back to the 1st century B.C. he underground passages of the Cryptoporticus were used as foundations for the Roman forum, the political, commercial, and religious centre of the Roman city. They were built in 30 BC on the side of the hill, and their construction necessitated gigantic earth filling and levelling operations. The Cryptoportico and forum were built in approximately 30 A.D. and were considered the political, trade, and religious center of the city of Arles. The forum has been replaced by the Chapel of the Jesuit College and City Hall, but visitors can still view the tunnels of the cryptoporticus, which may have functioned as barracks for public slaves.The U-shaped Cryptoporticus is made up of three double corridors covered with barrel vaults. They intersect at right angles and are separated by rows of massive pillars supporting basket-handle arches. Towards the end of the Roman Empire shops were built, opening on the outer side.

Overview

Arles is one of the oldest French cities. It was originally named Theline. In 535 BCE, Arles was captured by the tribe of the Saluvii and the name was changed to Arelate. The Romans took over the town in 123. A canal was built connecting the Rhone with the Mediterranean sea in 104 and it became an important trade center. Julius Caesar refounded the town in 46 BCE as a colonia. Read more of its history.

Arles is framed by houses and private mansions of the 16th and 17th centuries. These residences overlook partially restored roman baths.

Arles and other towns of Provence were showcases of Roman wealth, culture and power. Roman engineers and architects built monuments, theaters, baths, villas, fora, arenas and aqueducts throughout Provence, many of which still exist. The Musee de l'Arles Antiques has a scale model of the original Roman town of Arles.