Two thousand years of history - and extreme weather - have left their mark on the donkey back Roman bridge over the Ouvèze river at Vaison-la-Romaine in the Vaucluse, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France. The bridge has survived wars, invasions, erosion and, as recently as 1992, disastrous flooding.
Vaison-la-Romaine, Vaucluse, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France: repairs needed after devastating floods in 1992 are obvious in the sides of the donkey back, single arch Roman bridge over the Ouvèze river - but while more recent bridges were swept away in the surge, this ancient structure still stands. The bridge, built nearly 2,000 years ago in the 1st century AD, has survived wars, invasions, erosion and extreme weather to maintain the physical link between the ancient Gallo-Roman settlement on the north bank of the Ouvèze with the medieval upper town to the south. The bridge stands where the river narrows. The Romans built it to last, of squared limestone blocks connected by ironwork, and with the piers anchored to the sides of the river gorge. The arch spans metres (56 ft) and has 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. The bridge was among public monuments built by the Romans that included aqueducts, thermal baths and a theatre. The city thrived during the peaceful Pax Romana period, 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 era of 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: 4256px × 2832px
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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