Avenches - Aventicum     The Roman Ruines in Avanches   About 10km northeast of Payerne, Avenches (Aventicum) was the capital of Roman Switzerland (Roman Helvetia), at one time supporting a population of 20,000 people. Today, it is one of Switzerland's most important archeological sites. Life in the town is more smugly suburban, but it’s well worth visiting, both for the medieval town centre and the extensive Roman remains. A suggested itinerary takes visitors through the area of the vast amphitheatre - see picture on top - (today's venue for a wide variety of events) to the Cigognier column, to the east gate and to the Tornallaz tower. After a defeat at the hands of Julius Caesar, the Helvetians founded their new capital of Aventicum in the early first century BC (Aventia was the name of the local Celtic goddess of water). Emperor Vespasian granted it the status of colony in 72 AD, whereupon Aventicum entered its golden age. During the second and third centuries, the huge city wall boasted 73 watchtowers, and many of the public buildings of that period – a baths, temples, the amphitheatre, and more – have been excavated. The Aleman tribes raided the town around 277 AD, and sacked large parts of it; by 450, Aventicum’s glory days were over. Climbing the hill from the train station, is the large oval amphitheatre crowning the eastern edge of the Old Town, well restored and now the scene of an annual summer opera festival. The tower at the rear of the arena houses the excellent Musée Romain. The ground floor is filled with statuary and mosaics, while up above are very impressive collections of Roman bits and bobs, sensibly organized and with English notes available. Dotted around the town are seven other Roman sites – the tourist office has a brochure – all of which are well signposted and free. One of the most impressive is the Tour de la Cigogne, a gnarled old column almost swamped by suburbia but still standing tall in a field: it once formed part of a giant temple sanctuary.   Théatre Romain   Théatre Romain. I took this picture on top of the tunnel seen on the picture above.    The old stairs that lead to the top.     A picture from the top of the wall.       << Back to the Swiss Travels Menu << This page was created on: February 28, 2002. Last updated on: July 8, 2008. [ Site Menu ] [ Home ]  ~ Graphics by Irene ~ MLS ~ Information about Avenches from the Rough Guide to Switzerland, by Rough Guides Ltd, London, from Switzerland.isyours .

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