点评:"Tour Magne" is from the Latin "Turris Magna" (the Big Tower) is a pre-Roman structure that was modified during the reign of Augustus (27 BC-14 CE). Originally 36 meters tall in Roman times, the tower now measures only 32.50 meters (ca. 106 feet).
Several hypotheses have been put forward regarding the tower's original purpose. During the Roman era, it was integrated into the defensive walls, suggesting it could have served a defensive role, as well as functioning as a watchtower or signal tower.
It was almost destroyed in the past, when a hypothetical treasure was searched inside it, according to a prophecy by Nostradamus.
Located at the north end of the "Jardins de la Fontaine" (Fountain Gardens), it is accessible to the public. Keep in mind that:
- from the gardens, you have to climb for approximately 15-20 minutes, involving also several staircases;
- there is only one indication pointing to the tower, at the beginning, in the Fountain Gardens. Then you have to guess your path (or ask people);
- inside the tower, you have an additional 140 steps to reach the view point (from here you have a nice view of the city of Nîmes);
- a cumulative ticket is available, giving access to the Tour Magne, the Arena, the Maison Carré, and the Roman Museum.
翻译:“Tour Magne”这一名称源自拉丁语“Turris Magna”,意为“大塔楼”。这是一座罗马时期之前的建筑,后在奥古斯都皇帝统治期间(公元前27年至公元14年)经过改建。在罗马时代,该塔楼原高36米,如今高度则降至32.50米左右(约106英尺)。
关于这座塔楼的原始用途,学界提出了多种假说。在罗马时期,它被纳入防御墙体系之中,由此推测它很可能具有防御功能,同时也可作为瞭望塔或信号塔使用。据诺查丹玛斯的预言,过去曾有人为寻找传说中的宝藏而试图将其摧毁。
它坐落于“喷泉花园”的北端,对公众开放。请注意:
- 从花园出发后需攀登约15至20分钟,途中还会经过好几段楼梯;
- 仅在喷泉花园的起点处有一个指向塔楼的指示牌。然后你需要自己猜测路线(或者询问他人);
- 进入塔内后,还需再爬140级台阶才能到达观景台(从这里可以欣赏到尼姆市的美丽景色);
- 可以购买联票,凭此票即可进入马涅塔、竞技场、方形宫以及罗马博物馆。