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Narbonne
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Narbonne (Narbona in Catalan and in Occitan, the Roman Narbo) is a commune in southern France in the Languedoc-Roussillon région. It lies from Paris in the Aude département, of which it is a sous-préfecture. Once a prosperous port, it is now located about from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It is marginally the largest commune in the Aude département, although the préfecture (capital) resides in the slightly smaller commune of Carcassonne.
onne is linked to the nearby Canal du Midi and the Aude River by the Canal de la Robine, which runs through the centre of town.
onne was established in Gaul in 118 BC, as Colonia Narbo Martius.
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Encyclopedia
Narbonne (Narbona in Catalan and in Occitan, the Roman Narbo) is a commune in southern France in the Languedoc-Roussillon région. It lies from Paris in the Aude département, of which it is a sous-préfecture. Once a prosperous port, it is now located about from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It is marginally the largest commune in the Aude département, although the préfecture (capital) resides in the slightly smaller commune of Carcassonne.
Geography
Narbonne is linked to the nearby Canal du Midi and the Aude River by the Canal de la Robine, which runs through the centre of town.
History
Narbonne was established in Gaul in 118 BC, as Colonia Narbo Martius. It was located on the Via Domitia, the first Roman road in Gaul, built at the time of the foundation of the colony, and connecting Italy to Spain. Geographically, Narbonne was therefore located at a very important crossroads because it was situated where the Via Domitia connected to the Via Aquitania, which led toward the Atlantic across Toulouse and Bordeaux. In addition, it was crossed by the Aude River. Surviving members of Julius Caesar's Legio X Equestris were given lands in area that nowadays is know as Narbonne.
Politically, Narbonne gained importance as a competitor to Massalia (Marseille). Julius Caesar settled veterans from his 10th legion there and attempted to develop its port while Marseille was revolting against Roman control. Among the amenities of Narbonne, its rosemary-flower honey was famous among Romans.
Later, the provincia of southern Gaul was named "Gallia Narbonensis", after the city, and Narbonne was made its capital. Seat of a powerful administration, the city enjoyed economic and architectural expansion.
It was subsequently the capital of the Visigothic province of Septimania. It was part of the Emirate of Cordoba until conquered by the Franks after which it became part of the Carolingian Viscounty of Narbonne. In the 12th century, the court of Ermengarde of Narbonne (reigned 1134 to 1192) presided over one of the cultural centers where the spirit of courtly love was developed.
In the 11th and 12th centuries, Narbonne was home to an important Jewish exegetical school, which played a pivotal role in the growth and development of the Zarphatic (Judæo-French) and Shuadit (Judæo-Provençal) languages. Jews had settled in Narbonne from about the 5th century, with a community that had risen to approximately 2000 in the 12th century. At this time, Narbonne was frequently mentioned in Talmudic works in connection with its scholars. One source, Abraham ibn Daud of Toledo, gives them an importance similar to the exilarchs of Babylon In the 12th and 13th centuries, the community went through a series of ups and downs before settling into extended decline.
Narbonne in decline
Narbonne itself fell into a slow decline in the 14th century, for a variety of reasons. One was due to a change in the course of the Aude River, which caused increased silting of the navigational access. The Aude river had a long history of overflowing its banks. When it was a bustling port, the distance from the coast was approximately 20 to 30 kilometres - but at that time the access to the sea was deep enough. Over time as the Aude river fluctuated in flow rate, direction and in sediment deposite. And, as the Mediterranean sea level slowly rose, the 'sea port' aspect of Narbonne declined due to relentless silting. Then it could no longer serve directly as a port.
From the 16th century, anxious to maintain a link to important trade, the people of Narbonne began costly work to the vestiges of the Aude River's access to the sea — so that it would remain navigable to a limited draft vessel and also serve as as a link with the Royal Canal. This major undertaking of works finished with the construction of the Canal de la Robine, which was finally linked with the Canal du Midi (then known as the Royal Canal) via the Canal de Jonction in 1776. In the 19th century, the canal system in the south of France came into competition with an expanding rail network, but kept some importance due to the flourishing wine trade.
Hence, despite its decline from Roman times, Narbonne managed to hold on to its vital but limited importance as a trading route, particularly in the more recent centuries.
Main sights
- The former cathedral of Saint-Just dating from 1272
- The "Palais des Archevêques", the Archbishop's Palace, and its donjon with views over Narbonne
- Musee Archeologique - an archaeological museum in the town centre
- The Roman Horreum, a former grain warehouse, built underground as a cryptoporticus
- Remains of the Via Domitia in the city center
- The canal, "Canal de la Robine", running through the centre of the town
- The Halles de Narbonne covered market operates every day. The busiest times are Sunday and Thursday mornings.
- The nearby limestone massif known as "La Clape" and the beach at Narbonne plage
Sport
- Narbonne is home to the rugby union team Racing Club de Narbonne Méditerannée.
Notable people from Narbonne
External links
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