Square Castan - Besançon, France
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member RakeInTheCache
N 47° 14.073 E 006° 01.788
32T E 275186 N 5235509
[FR] Il s'agit d'un vaste ensemble semi-circulaire qui date probablement de l'époque de l'ancienne cité gallo-romaine de Vesontio. [EN] The Square Castan is a set of archaeological remains from the antique Gallo-Roman city of Vesontio.
Waymark Code: WM151BQ
Location: Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
Date Posted: 09/26/2021
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member bluesnote
Views: 6

[FR] La présence de ces restes archéologiques n'est attestée qu'à partir des xviie et xviiie siècles.

Ce n'est qu'en 1870 que l'archéologue et bibliothécaire de la ville Auguste Castan y entreprit des fouilles. Il y découvrit huit colonnes corinthiennes que l'on fit remonter, les vestiges du bassin de distribution des eaux de l'aqueduc d'Arcier (petite localité située à 15 kilomètres) qui approvisionnait la cité à l'époque romaine, et ceux d'un hémicycle d'un diamètre intérieur proche de 54 mètres.

Les spécialistes pensent que l'hémicycle monumental constituait un podium qui supportait la colonnade d'un portique couvert : il délimitait une esplanade surélevée dont la fonction exacte reste encore inconnue.

[EN] Archaeologist and librarian Auguste Castan launched excavations in 1870. He discovered 8 Corinthian columns, remains of the water distribution pond which collected the water brought by the Roman aqueduct of Arcier, and the remains of a hemicycle that has an inner diameter of 54 meters.

The hemicycle may have constituted a podium which supported the colonnade of an overcast portico: it delimits a raised esplanade whose exact function is unknown at the present time.
Most Relevant Historical Period: Roman Empire > 27 B.C.

Admission Fee: Free

Opening days/times:
24/7


Web Site: [Web Link]

Condition: Some remaining traces (ruins) or pieces

Visit Instructions:
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Recent Visits/Logs:
Date Logged Log User Rating  
Alfouine visited Square Castan - Besançon, France 02/22/2024 Alfouine visited it
GwenanDu visited Square Castan - Besançon, France 08/30/2022 GwenanDu visited it
blackjack65 visited Square Castan - Besançon, France 08/09/2019 blackjack65 visited it

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