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The Ecusson
The Tour de la Babote, Montpellier. Image published under the GNU Free Documentation License, verison 1.2 or later The historic centre of Montpellier is known as the Ecusson because the shape of its perimeter is similar to the "ecu", a pentagonal mediaeval shield. The Ecusson is bordered by a series of boulevards which follow the line of the former city walls demolished by the staunchly Catholic Louis XIII after a protestant uprising in 1622. Only three elements of the city's former fortifications remain. The first, the "Tour de la Babote" guarded the entrance to the old city and is located near the historic merchant's quarter. Originally the tower was a low structure, barely fifteen metres high, surrounded by a ditch. The tower's battlements were removed in 1739 when it was purchased by the Royal Academy of Sciences. The height of the tower was then raised and an astronomer's platform and balustrade added. The first known parachute jump was made from the balustrade in 1783. The height of the tower was raised again in 1789 and two additional turrets and a staircase were added. The tower, now 53 metres tall, became a telegraph office in 1832. The tower was neglected after the telegraph office found more spacious accommodation but was later restored and is now home to a library and exhibition centre. The second remnant of the city's fortifications, the "Tour des Pins", dates from 1196. Its construction was commenced by the lords of Montpellier and completed by the Kings of Aragon. Its style is thus a mixture of French Gothic and Romanesque Aragonese. It was unsuccessfully besieged by the English during the Hundred Years War and provided sanctuary to the protestant population of Montpellier during the religious wars. It was also used as a women's prison in the 19th century. Nostradamous, a former student at the city's medical school, predicted that Montpellier would be consumed by flames on the day that the pine trees surrounding the tower were cut down. The city authorities, mindful of this prediction, have always been careful to preserve a wooded environment around the tower. A plaque affixed to the tower celebrates the achievements of King James of Aragon who ruled Montpellier between 1213 and 1276. The third remnant of the city's fortifications, the "Porte des Salinieres", is an historic gate near the rue de l'universite which was once used by salt merchants.
Image by Fritz Geller Grim 2.6.06 published under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.5 license The Porte du Peyrou, although not part of the historic city, is also located on the line of its former walls. This triumphal arch, constructed by Louis XIV in 1693, provides access to the historic centre through the Jardins du Peyrou.
© 2007 LACT Limited. All rights reserved Saint Peters Porte du Peyrou Pharmacy Opera Comedie Musee Fabre Medical School Jardin des plantes Ecusson Citadel Antigone Brief history
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