Cigognier Sanctuary, Avenches, Switzerland

The building of the Cigognier, the largest sanctuary on the site (35m x 17m) began in the year 98 AD. Analysis of the wooden stakes beneath the building's foundations allowed this date to be established. The plans, technology and materials used are inspired by Rome. It was a rectangular building with a courtyard framed with porticos. Only the priests had access to the room that contained the worshipped statue. The faithful gathered in the courtyard, where processions also took place. This division of spaces demonstrates the hierarchical organisation of society at that time.

The discovery, in 1939, of a gold bust of Marcus Aurelius in one of the sanctuary's pipes, suggests that this portrait of the emperor was used as an image of worship. This magnificent object, composed of a single gold leaf of over 1.5 kg and dating from the 2nd century, is now preserved at the city's Roman Museum.

References:

fribourgregion.ch

User Reviews

Cristel castella (3 years ago)
Wonderful place for a stroll.

Sarah Sellé (4 years ago)
The site of Avenches is magnificent it is our little paradise

瑞云天 (4 years ago)
Impressive. You can imagine the real size the original building.

Swiss Vlogger (5 years ago)
No Toilet and no tea stalls otherwise place was okay

Alejandro Montiel (7 years ago)
If you are walking from the train station in Avenches, it will take you about half an hour to reach these ruins. They date from the 1st century A.D. and what still stands there is very well preserved. It is also very close to the Temple so make sure to visit it because these are nice historic places that remind us that the Romans also settled in what is today known as Switzerland.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Andy Hay

Historic Site of the week

Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

Cigognier Sanctuary

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Argos Theater