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.

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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

4.7/5 (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

Martynas Barysas (4 months ago)
Lovely, cosy hotel, with modern interiors and very good service (including care about safety in these pandemic times).
Roel Flokstra (5 months ago)
Excellent and a must visit
Andrew C (2 years ago)
Splurge. Excellent polite service. Great wine list. Beautifully presented food.
M Levin (2 years ago)
A classic of French cuisine, updated for the 21st century. Had the lunch menu and it was great. Rated 2 stars by Michelin but its a high 2 almost a 3.
Ludovic Odet (2 years ago)
Really Amazing. Between modern and classic french food and how well this culinar experience expresses the terroir of the Rhone. Prices are very correct compared to the quality. I highly recommand
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Beckov Castle

The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.

The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.

The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.

The history of the castle is the subject of different legends. One of them narrates the origin of the name of castle derived from that of jester Becko for whom the Duke Stibor had the castle built.

Another legend has it that the lord of the castle had his servant thrown down from the rock because he protected his child from the lords favourite dog. Before his death, the servant pronounced a curse saying that they would meet in a year and days time, and indeed precisely after that time the lord was bitten by a snake and fell down to the same abyss.

The well-conserved ruins of the castle, now the National Cultural Monument, are frequently visited by tourists, above all in July when the castle festival takes place. The former Ambro curia situated below the castle now shelters the exhibition of the local history.

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