Located in Paris, the capital of France Arc de Triomphe or also known as Triumphal arch; It is an enormous structure, one of the most famous monuments in the world. This monument, which is considered the symbol of French national identity, emerged after a construction process that lasted approximately 30 years.
of paris Eiffel Tower And Notre Dame Cathedral It is considered one of the most important symbols along with Triumphal archis located in the center of the city. The Triumphal Arch, located in the area known as the first district of the city, is a world-famous monument. Champ Elysse It is located at the entrance of the street. The Triumphal Arch built in this square has a height that can be seen along almost the entire Champ Elysse street.
The historical monument has an impressive design with a height of 50 meters and a width of 45 meters. This structure, masterfully designed by Jean-François-Thérèse Chalgrin, brings together 12 major streets and resembles a star when viewed from above. Because of this feature ”Triumphal Arch of the Star” Also known as.
While France’s famous cycling race, the Tour de France, ends in front of this monument every year, it takes place on July 14. French National Day And Bastille Day The military parade also starts from this magnificent structure. At this point, it should be noted that the Arc de Triomphe is more than just a historical monument for the French, it is a structure that impresses visitors with its fascinating architecture.
Construction and History of the Arc de Triomphe
Napoleon BonaparteAddressing French soldiers as they celebrated the victory at the Battle of Austerlitz, “You will return to your homes by passing under the triumphal arches.” he said. In memory of this victory, he ordered the construction of the Triumphal Arch on February 18, 1806. Initially, Napoleon’s idea was to build the Arc de Triomphe. Louvre Museum and to determine it as the starting point of a long street passing through Bastille Square. Construction of the monument by French architect Jean Chalgrin undertaken by.
Napoleon stopped construction while fighting against the Russian Empire in the 1810s, and it stopped completely during the restoration period. However, with Louis-Philippe coming to power, Construction of the Arc de Triomphe It was restarted in 1832 and completed in 1836. French architects Louis-Robert Goust and Jean-Nicolas Huyot took part in the final stages of construction.
The Arc de Triomphe was officially opened on July 29, 1836, at the celebrations of the 6th anniversary of the July Revolution. Military parades and a speech by Louis-Philippe were planned, but these plans were canceled due to the assassination attempt on Louis-Philippe. Instead, Louis-Philippe threw a banquet for 300 guests. On December 15, 1840, Napoleon Bonaparte’s funeral was held under the Arc de Triomphe.
Architectural Features of the Arc de Triomphe
Designed by Jean Chalgrin, the Arc de Triomphe was inspired by the Neoclassical elements of Roman architecture, and after the architect’s death, it was taken over by his former student Louis-Robert Goust. Construction halted for a time due to Imperial defeat and occupation, but resumed in 1824 under the supervision of Jean-Nicolas Huyot. Major changes to the original design were proposed, and in 1836 the French King Louis-Philippe gave architect Guillaume-Abel Blouet the task of completing the monument.
The magnificence of the monument is enriched by the statues on the columns. There are four main statue groups on each column. While “Le Départ de 1792” by François Rude describes the establishment of the First French Republic during the Uprising of 10 August 1792, Jean-Pierre Cortot’s work “Le Triomphe” is dedicated to the signing of the Treaty of Schönbrunn in 1810.
“La Résistance,” by Antoine Étex, stages the French Resistance against allied armies during the War of the Sixth Coalition, and “La Paix,” by Antoine Étex in 1815, commemorates the Treaty of Paris. Additionally, there are six reliefs on the facades of the arch, representing important moments from the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Era.
With the completion of the monument, the French Ministry of War was tasked with creating a list of officers and battle names to be engraved on the monument. Baron General Saint-Cyr Nugues was chosen to name the names. 384 notable officers submitted a proposal to engrave 30 major victories and 96 smaller battles on the monument. However, many revolutionaries or the families of the Empire’s leading generals complained that their famous family members were not included in the list. The War Department added new names, bringing the total to 652, when architect Blouet found room to add more in order to preserve the architectural integrity of the monument. Over the following years, a total of 660 names were engraved on the monument, with the last name added in 1895.
Torch Rising on the Ground of the Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe, in addition to being a historical monument, World War IA tribute to the French soldiers who lost their lives in tomb of the unknown soldier Contains. The flame on the grave has not been extinguished since 1923; It is refreshed every evening at 18:30 by war veterans and associations. Even on June 14, 1940, when German soldiers entered Paris, the flame of the grave was renewed in front of the eyes of the Germans.
The idea of honoring an unknown soldier in death first emerged in 1916. On November 12, 1919, one year and one day after the end of World War I, it was decided that the Unknown Soldier would be buried in the Pantheon, the famous mausoleum in Paris. This monument continues to honor the memory of this unsung hero by lighting flames and laying wreaths every night. This touching ritual is performed to understand, remember and respect the great sacrifices and losses in France’s history.
Visiting the Arc de Triomphe
Panoramic terrace of the Arc de TriompheIt offers visitors a unique perspective and the opportunity to watch Paris from above. However, those who want to experience this magnificent experience have to pay a certain entrance fee. The small museum, located under the arch of the Arc de Triomphe, can be visited publicly. In this museum, there are important wars in the history of France, soldiers who took part in the wars and the names of important people.
The Arc de Triomphe, a symbol of grandeur in the history of France, is one of the most visited monuments in Paris and France. For those who want to avoid large crowds, the winter season is a calm, peaceful and suitable time for photography. In the evenings, the Arc de Triomphe offers visitors a visual feast, with its twinkling lights of the Champs-Elysees Street and views of the sunset.
To join our WhatsApp group CLICK!
