Four European cities with ancient ruins, away from the crowds of Rome and Athens

One of my favourite refuges in France

Outside the known places, Europe hides archaeological treasures If your passion for history is centered on the classical world, it is likely that the main attractions of the European continent are already very well known to you. We are talking about the ancient temples located on spectacular rocks, the amphitheaters where gladiators risked their lives for glory and the great imperial personalities that laid the foundations of an entire civilization. In this context, it is quite natural that Rome and Athens should be your favorite destinations. These are an excellent starting point, given that Athens is universally co-existing with Western civilization, Rome was the center of an empire that extended its grey influence from the shores of the Mediterranean to the four major cities of Rome.

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One of my favourite refuges in France, which evokes the Roman period, is Nîmes. The city is often nicknamed Roma della Francia and seems to be the dream of anyone fascinated by the Roman Empire. Among the most impressive attractions is an arena about 2,000 years old, which resembles a strikingly compact and extremely well-preserved version of the Colosseum. The structure was built in the late 1st century AD, just a few decades after the opening of Rome's iconic stage. Unlike the arena in Italy's capital, the central floor of the Nîmes Arena remains covered and functional today.

In addition to the impressive well-preserved arena, Nîmes is also home to the

In addition to the impressive well-preserved arena, Nîmes is also home to the Maison Carrée, an early 1st-century AD temple that has survived almost intact in time. Among the ancient Roman temples, it can be compared to the Pantheon in terms of its state of preservation. However, my favourite point in the Nîmes area, linked to the Roman era, is the Pont du Gard. It is a massive, three-tiered aqueduct bridge built by the Romans that crosses the Gardon River.