Trophee d'Auguste (Trophy of Augustus), La Turbie

Roman monument dominating the town of La Turbie

featured in Sights & Sites

Built in the year 6 BC, the trophy of Augustus honoured Octavius, Caesar's nephew and future emperor under the name of Augustus, who had conquered the Alpine tribes.

Trophies were traditionally dedicated to the gods of victory, in this case it was part of a sanctuary dedicated to Hercules Monoikos, from which the name of "Monaco" comes from. It was built at the frontier between Gaul and Italy, proclaiming the unity and power of the Roman Empire. The 45 ancient Alpine tribes were defeated during the military campaign to conquer the Alps conducted by the Romans between 16 and 7 BC.

It was built with limestone from a quarry just 500 metres away, and traces of the cutting of stone are still visible. Encircled by columns, this building was originally crowned with a statue of Augustus. There is an inscription commemorating the emperor and stating the name of the 45 subdued tribes on its south façade. It became a ruin during the war between France and Savoie, in the 18th century, but it was restored in the 1930's.

There is a museum that explains the monument and the importance of this area for the Roman Empire, as evidenced by the amount of ruins in the region. From the highest point, you also get breathtaking views of the entire French Riviera, from Estérel to the coast of Italy.