La Turbie
The Trophy of the Alps
La Turbie would be an unexceptional hilltop village with an 18th century Baroque church on the Grande Corniche were it not for the fact that it is located on the Via Julia Augusta and has, at its centre, the amazing and truly monumental Trophy of the Alpes.
A Trophy for an Emperor
Following the victories of the legions sent by Emperor Augustus over the Celtic tribes of the region, the Romans commemorated their achievements in 6 BC by building a huge structure in the local white stone 49m/161ft high and 35m/115ft wide. It consisted of a platform 12m/39ft high on which stood a rotunda of 24 columns with Augustus perched on top.
Decline and a partial restoration
During the middle-ages the locals used it as a fortress and later as a stone quarry. A partial restoration means it now stands at a mere 35m/115ft high without the Emperor but a magnificent site nonetheless!
Death of a Princess
Unfortunately the village of La Turbie will always be associated with the death of Grace Kelly whose car left the road nearby while she was driving back to nearby Monaco.
Don’t miss: The adjacent museum of Roman artifacts.