Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The building in La Turbie, in the Alpes-Maritimes, dates from the second half of the 12th century. This building is representative of the medieval Provencal civil architecture, although its precise features, outside the protected gemini window, remain little documented in the available sources. Its classification as Historic Monument by decree of 5 March 1953 underlines its heritage interest, particularly for this remarkable architectural element.

The geminated window, typical of Romanesque art, is the only explicitly protected element of this building. This type of opening, composed of two twin bays separated by a column, was common in the religious and civil constructions of the Middle Ages in Provence. The lack of details about the other parts of the building or its original use limits the understanding of its historical role, but its inscription demonstrates the desire to preserve a medieval vestige in an area marked by ligures and Provençal influences.

The location of the building, rue Dominique-Durandy in La Turbie, places this heritage in an urban context close to the Principality of Monaco and the Mediterranean coast. The Turbie, known for its Augustus Trophy, was a strategic place of passage from ancient times. In the 12th century, the region was under the influence of the Counts of Provence, with an economy based on agriculture, maritime trade and land trade between Italy and France. The buildings of that time often served as dwellings for local merchants, artisans or notables, reflecting a society organized around lords and ecclesiastical institutions.

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