Forum of Arles, Roman forum in Arles, France
The Forum of Arles is a large paved square surrounded by four monumental colonnaded halls connected by vaulted galleries. Beneath this plaza lie underground passages called cryptoporticos, which are open to visitors and show how the Romans engineered the site.
The forum was built between 30 and 20 BCE as the first major construction project of the Roman colony. It was created shortly after the city's founding to demonstrate Roman power and prosperity in the region.
The forum was the heart of daily life in the ancient city, where residents gathered to conduct business and handle public matters. The space also hosted ceremonies where the community honored its gods and celebrated important occasions.
The plaza is easily reached in central Arles and can be viewed for free, while the underground cryptoporticos are accessible through the town hall. Wear comfortable shoes, as the ground can be uneven and the underground stairs are narrow.
The underground cryptoporticos were engineered to level out the slope of Hauture hill beneath the plaza. This clever solution allowed the Romans to create a flat plaza on uneven terrain and is still visible in the passages today.
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