The archaeological crypt Nice - sight, no doubt, for an amateur. But for those who are interested in the life of European cities, starting from the XIV century, and the history of fortification case - bonanza.

Before laying the modern city tram line and did not suspect that lie under the ancient Piazza Garibaldi. Digging, road builders stumbled here in 2004 on the remains of walls (something similar happened in his time in Paris, where in the construction of an underground parking garage found the crypt of Notre Dame de Paris). Under the adjoining area of ​​the Boulevard Jean Jaures discovered a well-preserved tower Payrole to which once adjoined the city gates, near - the ruins of the medieval Old Bridge. The public demanded the study findings, the prefect of the region decided that the excavation area will occupy 2,000 square meters and deepened to six meters.

It was the first in Nice archaeological project of such magnitude. In 2008, at the City Hall there was a department in charge of archaeological activity in the city and in the surrounding sea waters. Excavations continued in Piazza Garibaldi first in the open air, and then in the closed space formed by the territory laying tram line.

Create a space was not easy. Over excavation laid powerful concrete beams that can support high-speed modern tram. On the perimeter erected concrete walls. Curiously arranged entrance to the crypt: hydraulic jacks plowing a special hatch in the neighboring area of ​​the bridge Jacques Toja, visitors descend the stairs.

Discovery crypt waiting for the ceremony attended by hundreds of citizens who wanted to first see the ancient walls of the city. Many had to languish in an unusual turn: here allowed only in groups of fifteen people.

All down through the vast expanse of paved hanging in the air metal walkway with handrails, for which the tourists go. Hence the perfectly visible ramparts of the XVI century, supplied the city with water medieval aqueduct powerful masonry Payrole round tower of the XIV century, the remains of walls defending Nice for centuries. A huge architectural complex was destroyed by the troops of Louis XIV after the brutal siege of Nice in 1706. Since then, the city has ceased to be one of the most powerful fortresses of the Mediterranean and focused on commerce and then on tourism. Today, the crypt under the square Garibaldi recalls a very different Nice - militant and courageous inscribed bright page in the history of Europe.

If you are going to visit the crypt, it is important to wear low-heeled shoes - a metal track on which will have to walk, has a lattice framework, thin heel is sure to fail in the hole.