La Turbie, is a village perched above the Mediterranean on the heights of Monaco, which offers an incredible panorama of the French Riviera !
Classical, medieval and baroque styles
At the crossroads between Italy and Gaul, various events have left La Turbie admirable testimonies of the past. The town has managed to preserve its charms almost intact, with a harmonious blend of classical, medieval and baroque styles. Today, visitors can contemplate the medieval walls, the Baroque-style Saint-Michel church, a Roman fountain, cobbled streets and vaulted passages… and of course, the famous Trophy of Augustus. Placed under the authority of the Roman emperor in the 1st century BC, La Turbie then passed under the domination of the Republic of Genoa, before becoming part of the Principality of Monaco. It was attached to France in 1860.
Unusual details
At the heart of the medieval walls, La Turbie conceals unusual details, revealing its history. Starting with its many portals that protected the impenetrable fortress. On the west portal, we note the presence of machicolations, these perforated advances from which stones were thrown at enemies. Here and there, one also notices rings hung in the wall, generally under the mailboxes. This is where the donkeys, the means of transport at the time, were tied. What a pleasure to stroll through these cobbled and generously flowered streets with beautiful stone houses, often tastefully restored, after passing through a door carved into the medieval wall. Passages under vaults, small fountains, twin windows, monumental fountains, beautiful baroque church with square bell tower covered with glazed tiles, there are many historical marvels…
To see, to visit :
Trophy of Augustus and its museum (history of the Trophy, model of the entire monument).
Roman quarry at Mount Justice; only Roman quarry in working order. Roman and pre-Roman habitat near the chapel of Saint-Pierre.
Mile marker of Napoleon 1st. Roman fountain.
Remains of the medieval enclosure (12th and 13th centuries).
St Michel Church (1763, historical monument. Inside, a Pietà from the Bréa school, 15°).
Romanesque Saint-Jean chapel. Monumental fountain from 1824 in front of the town hall (listed).
Barriera Cave (Chasséen material). Old rack railway station.
