Roman Pyramid

Vienne, France

The Roman Pyramid in Vienne is an emblematic building of the architectural heritage of the city together with the Roman Theatre. It is an unique remain of a Roman circus, where racing took place.

The pyramid was the central building of the Roman 'circus maximus'. The 25 meters high obelisk stood in the center of the sand track. Its location on an axial platform (Spina) was confirmed by excavations in the nineteenth and at beginning of twelfth century.

Copy of 'circus maximus' of Rome, the archaeologists believe that it could accommodate between fifteen thousand to twenty thousand spectators. The pyramid of Vienne was long called 'the needle' by the population. Popular legends are even say that here is the tomb of Pontius Pilate who, after being governor of Judea, died in exile in Vienne.

References:

bontourism.com

Address

Rond-Point de la Pyramide 20-22, Vienne, France

See all sites in Vienne

Details

Founded: 100-200 AD
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in France
Historical period: Roman Gaul (France)

More Information

www.triphistoric.com
www.vienne-tourisme.com

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Temple of Augustus and Livia (1,1 km)
Roman Theatre (1,3 km)
Archeological Garden of Cybèle (1,1 km)
Vienne Cathedral (1 km)
St. Peter's Church (0,8 km)
Saint-Romain-en-Gal (1,4 km)
St-André-le-Bas Church (1,3 km)

Hôtel de Ville (28 km)
Lyon Cathedral (27,4 km)
Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon (28 km)
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviére (27,6 km)
Historic Site of Lyons (27 km)
Metallic tower of Fourviére (27,7 km)
Temple du Change (27,8 km)
Église Saint-Polycarpe (28,3 km)
Saint-Bonaventure Church (27,5 km)

User Reviews

Cédric B (4 years ago)
Very nice stay in La Pyramide, nice & cleaned room and of course very nice food ! I recommend it !

Damien (4 years ago)
Amazing restaurant & hotel! Worth the stop. Well done to the whole team.

May Burrough (4 years ago)
a real french spectacle - taken on a journey through food. formal service and nouveau riche terrasse making it a very smart establishment with good food

david zorab (4 years ago)
the hotel was delightful. The staff made you feel welcome. the food incredibly good

Chris (4 years ago)
Attentive staff without the fuss. Chefs tasting menu superb as is the pricing. A Hotel & Restaurant I would happily return again and again.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Andy Hay

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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.