Périgueux (pare-ee-go) has been an important settlement since 200 B.C. when the Gaul tribe Petrocorii established their capital, Vesunna, there along the banks of the Isle River. The site was sacred for its spring.
When the Romans came in 16 B.C. they took over the area and created a city of their own. Vesunna became City of the Petrocorii that over time changed into Périgueux and Périgord. The City included a forum, basilica, amphitheater, arena, aqueduct, temples and mansions. Since the 3rd century A.D. invasions of the Barbarians and later in 418 A.D. the Visigoths, the city was reduced to ruins. Some of the old Roman buildings were used as supplies for new buildings while others ended up buried and almost forgotten. From this a new city arose. Today one can discover the glory of the past as well as enjoy a beautiful, vibrant city.
Roman wall uncovered in a neighborhood.
A wall made up of various pieces from Roman buildings.
TOUR DE VÉSONE:
Along the railroad tracks is a park where the Tour de Vésone (Tower of Vésone) can be seen. This 2nd century Roman temple was dedicated to the goddess Tutela Vesunna, a Celtic goddess of prosperity, abundance and good fortune. In her images she carries a cornucopia. For the Romans she is the goddess of luck and good fortune.
The tower is all that is left or at least revealed of a larger complex. This tower was the Cella or heart of the temple where only the priests could enter. The interior was once covered in marble.
The temple of Tutela Vesunna. The center is the tower.
The Tour de Vésone from different sides and angles.
Playing around for effects:
When I was in the Gallo-Roman Museum that is located in the same park as the Tour de Vésone there was an old etching of the Tour that showed it with different colored stripes. So I decided to try and enhance these colors thru photoshop and filters. Here’s what I came out with:
1. Original photograph.
2. Photo with saturated color.
3. #2 converted into Black & White
4. #2 with filters. I used Nik Collection: Nostalgic 2
5. Black & White version of #4
Photography is my first love. I fought digital photography for awhile, had a difficult time wrapping my mind into it. When I finally did I jumped in head first and have been amazed by how creative one can become. I use a lot of layers and play with the filters that are available imagining how I want it to look until it does. I shoot in RAW or ARW where I end up with more options to play with. Depending on the use of my photo depends on how much I play with the effects. For the blog I do as little as possible with effects so the photo is as natural as possible…Photo Journalism. For my artist side there are no limits.
Note: We arrived to Périgueux by train from Bordeaux. Not far from the Gare (train station) there is a tour trail marked by a red line. This will lead you to several points of interest. Afterwards one can go up the hill to the center of the Medieval section of the town were the Cathedral Saint Front is located. For Pilgrims there is a small chapel with a statue of Santiago.
Websites:
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It’s a beautiful example of medieval architecture that can be enjoyed from across the railroad tracks at the Vesunna Gallo-Roman Museum and then following the Red Line and crossing a bridge one can walk around the ruins and enjoy finding both Roman and Medieval carvings.
