Piliers de Tutelle, Archaeological site in central Bordeaux, France.
Piliers de Tutelle were the remains of a Roman temple with 24 columns arranged in a rectangular layout. These structures rose about 26 meters high and occupied a substantial area in the center of the ancient city.
The temple was built in the third century during the Roman occupation and stood at a prominent location until its demolition in 1677. Its existence over many centuries shows how long this religious site endured through changing historical periods.
The temple honored Tutela, a protective deity of the city, and its name survives today in local street names. Visitors can sense the link between ancient beliefs and the modern layout of the city at this location.
The exact location is marked today by street names and city landmarks, and local guides can explain details about the excavations. Archaeological stone blocks uncovered during work in the early 2000s can be viewed in local museums or at excavation sites.
Arab geographer Al-Himyari documented the columns in the 9th century as an impressive structure rising above the city. This early account of a European site by a traveler from the Middle East reveals the networks of ancient trade routes.
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