The great survivor: scarred but still standing after centuries of wars, invasions, erosion and extreme weather: the donkey back arch of the 1st century AD Roman bridge spanning the Ouvèze river at Vaison-la-Romaine in the Vaucluse, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.
Vaison-la-Romaine, Vaucluse, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France: repairs needed after devastating floods in 1992 are clearly visible in the stonework of the donkey back, single arch Roman bridge over the Ouvèze river - but while more recent bridges in the area were swept away by the surge, the structure built in the 1st century AD survived. The bridge, built where the river narrows, has also weathered wars, invasions and erosion to maintain a physical link between the ancient Gallo-Roman settlement on the north bank of the Ouvèze with the medieval upper town to the south. It was strongly built of limestone blocks, held together by ironwork and anchored to the rocks. The arch spans metres (56 ft) with a roadway 9m (30 ft) wide. The site of Vaison-la-Romaine was originally the capital of the Celtic Vocontii tribe, whose fortified settlement stood on the north bank. Under Roman rule, the Vocontii retained some autonomy, but their town, Vasio Julia Vocontiorum, became increasingly Romanised. Apart from the bridge, the Romans also built public monuments such as aqueducts, thermal baths and a theatre. The city thrived during the peaceful Pax Romana era, growing to cover about 75 hectares. It was among the richest settlements in the Roman province covering modern Provence and Languedoc, with many mosaic pavements in its finer houses. The city's peace and prosperity ended in 276 AD when the city was burned and pillaged by barbarian invaders. It never recovered, although after the Roman Empire fell, it became an important Christian centre with its own bishop. On the north bank, extensive Roman remains are now open to visitors in two areas, La Villasse and Puymin.
Size: 2870px × 4281px
Location: Vaison-la-Romaine, Vaucluse, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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