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Origin and history

The rostral columns of the Place des Quinconces in Bordeaux, built in 1829 by architect Pierre-Alexandre Poitevin, are part of the urban development of the square initiated at the beginning of the nineteenth century. They were 21 metres high and replaced the old Trompette Castle, demolished after 1816, and marked the opening of the city towards the Garonne. Their neo-classical style and maritime decoration reflect the importance of trade and navigation for Bordeaux at that time.

The columns are decorated with bows of galleys and rostres in swords, inspired by Roman naval victories, symbolizing the mastery of the seas. These elements, carved by Italian ornemanist Florent Bonino, are accompanied by attributes such as Mercury's caducée and a star, evoking Commerce and Navigation. At their top, two allegorical statues, originally terracotta by sculptor Monsau, represent Mercury (Commerce) and a female figure holding a row (Navigation).

The Place des Quinconces, conceived as a descending esplanade towards the river, integrates these columns into a harmonious urban complex, completed later by the monument to the Girondins (1894-1902). The columns, classified as Historic Monument in 2011, bear witness to Bordeaux's maritime heritage and its economic influence in the 19th century. Their position in front of the Garonne underlines their role as a symbolic door between the city and the river, a vital axis for its development.

Their construction is part of a post-revolutionary urban renovation, where Bordeaux, liberated from its medieval fortress, is modernizing. The quinconce arrangement of trees (although modified since) and the hemicycle of classical buildings surrounding the square reflect a desire of order and magnitude, characteristic of the 19th century developments in France.

The columns survived the historical upheavals, including the German occupation during the Second World War, where the bronzes of the monument to the Girondins were removed. Their preservation illustrates their historic and artistic value to the city and the New Aquitaine region.

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