Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The monument to the heroes and victims of the sea is a commemorative work erected in the 7th arrondissement of Marseille, specifically in the garden of the Palais du Pharo, facing Fort Saint-Jean. This bronze monument features three sailors in a boat in the throes of a wave, symbolizing the dangers of the sea. One of the sailors, standing, supports an injured companion, while a third, drowned, is carried away by the waves. A granite reef completes the composition, reinforcing the idea of fighting against the elements.

Paul Peytral, Senator of the Bouches-du-Rhône, who launched a committee in 1913 to honour the heroes and victims of the sea. Auguste Carli was first chosen as a sculptor, but his model was rejected by the sailors. In March 1914, a second committee entrusted the project to André Alexandre Verdilhan, but the First World War interrupted the work. After the conflict, the project was revived to pay tribute to the sailors who had died during the war, and the monument was finally inaugurated on 14 July 1923.

This monument, which combines symbolism and realism, bears witness to the risks faced by sailors and to public recognition of their sacrifices. It has been listed as a historical monument since 23 July 2009, highlighting its heritage and memorial importance for the city of Marseille and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.

External links