First, we went to the amphitheater, which could accommodate 24,000 spectators in its heyday and is still well preserved today. The stage equipment from the last event was also being dismantled, which made it a bit difficult to transport back to Roman times, as the audio guide promoted when looking at the ancient site.
Today, bullfights are still held here, which are supposed to turn the whole city into a big festival.
Since we were in Nîmes on a Sunday, and it was also raining, the city center seemed rather deserted. Nîmes is actually supposed to be a lively business city. In the 18th century, the cotton industry here caused a boom. The fabrics from Nîmes were exported to many countries, including America. They were referred to as 'de Nîmes', which later led to the term 'Denim'. When Levi Strauss, a Franconian immigrant, reinforced the pockets, the prototype of jeans was invented. Gate of Augustus We then went through the former magnificent portal, the Gate of Augustus, into the city center and through the now empty shopping streets. Along the way, we passed the old Romanesque cathedral, which unfortunately was closed due to the lunch break. We soon came across a former Roman temple, the 'Maison Carrée', which has remarkably survived the test of time due to its continuous and different uses. Today, a short film about the history of the founding and the beginnings of Nîmes is shown there. Maison Carrée We then continued to the 'Jardins de la Fontaine', an ancient spring where the Celts and later the Romans worshiped their gods. However, the current form of the park was only established in the 18th century. There, we began the ascent to the 'Tour Magne', a Roman tower that was supposedly meant to symbolize the Romans' victory over the Celts. Inside, we climbed the 140 steps to enjoy the view of the city. Unfortunately, it was still raining, so the view was probably not as beautiful as on a clear day.
