Classification as historical monuments 24 novembre 2023 (≈ 2023)
Total protection of Coste fountain.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The Fountain known as "Coste", in total, located Place de la Joliette, according to the plan annexed to the decree, on the public domain not cadastral: decree of 24 November 2023
Key figures
Christophe François Calla - Architect
Contribute to the design of the fountain.
Pascal-Xavier Coste - Architect
Fontaine bearing his name, major contributor.
Jacques-Ignace Hittorff - Architect
Associated with the design of the monument.
Origin and history
The "Coste" fountain is a historic monument located in Place de la Joliette, in the 2nd arrondissement of Marseille. Filed entirely by order of 24 November 2023, it is in the public domain not cadastralized. Its architecture is attributed to three major figures: Christophe François Calla, Pascal-Xavier Coste, and Jacques-Ignace Hittorff, although their respective roles are not detailed in the available sources. The fountain bears the name of one of its architects, Coste, which suggests a significant contribution on its part.
The location of the fountain, Place de la Joliette, is an emblematic place of Marseille, marked by a dense harbour and urban history. The monument is part of a context of valorizing Marseille's architectural heritage, as evidenced by its recent classification. The accuracy of its location is assessed as poor (note 5/10), which could indicate uncertainties about its exact location or limitations in the available geographic data. The fountain belongs to the commune of Marseille, making it an accessible public good, although the modalities of the visit are not specified.
Available sources, including Monumentum and Merimée data, highlight the importance of this fountain in the Marseille architectural landscape. However, information on its history, design or use remains limited. The 2023 classification indicates a late recognition of its heritage value, without the specific reasons for this protection being explicitly detailed in the documents consulted. The lack of data on its period of construction or its original use leaves a shadow of its role in local history.
The architects associated with this monument, Calla, Coste and Hittorff, are known figures in the field of architecture, although their specific contributions to this fountain are not documented here. Jacques-Ignace Hittorff, for example, is a renowned 19th-century architect, known for his neoclassical work and his influence on Parisian urban planning. Their involvement in this Marseille project could reflect a period of collaboration between renowned architects to enhance public spaces in major French cities.
The "coste" fountain is part of a broader dynamic of preserving the urban heritage in Provence-Alpes-Côte d的Azur. Marseille, as a major port city, has always attached particular importance to its public spaces and their development. This monument, although recent in its ranking, participates in the collective memory and architectural identity of the Phocean city, while illustrating the evolution of styles and techniques of construction over the centuries.
