Archaeological crypt of nice attraction, no doubt, for everybody. But for those who are interested in the life of European cities, starting from the XIV century, and the history of the fortification of the case, Golden pyramid.

To strip a modern tram line of the city and had no idea that under the Piazza Garibaldi lie antiquity. Digging, road workers came here in 2004, remains of walls (something similar happened in his time in Paris, where the construction of an underground Parking found crypt of Notre-Dame de Paris). Under adjacent to the Boulevard Jean Jaures revealed a well-preserved tower Parole, which once adjoined the city gates, near the ruins of an Old medieval bridge. The public demanded a study finds, the prefect of the region decided that the excavations will occupy an area of 2000 square meters and will deepen on six meters.

It was the first nice archaeological project of such magnitude. In 2008 in the city hall established a Department, in charge of archaeological activity on the territory of the city and in adjacent marine waters. Excavations in Piazza Garibaldi, continued first under the open sky, and then into the closed space formed under the territory laying tram lines.

To create such a space was not easy. Above the excavation laid powerful concrete beams are able to withstand modern high-speed tram. Along the perimeter of the erected concrete walls. Curiously arranged the entrance to the crypt: hydraulic jacks open a special hatch in the pavement adjacent square Jacques Toja, visitors descend the stairs.

Open the crypt waited for the ceremony attended by hundreds of citizens, who wanted to be the first to see the ancient walls of their city. Many had to languish in an unusual turn: here are only allowed groups of fifteen people.

Down through the vast space padded hanging in the air metal track with rails on which, and walk tourists. Hence clearly visible bastions of the sixteenth century, supplied the city with water medieval aqueduct, powerful stone walls of the round tower Payrole of the fourteenth century, the remains of the fortifications that protected the nice over the centuries. Huge architectural complex was destroyed by the troops of Louis XIV after a brutal siege of nice in 1706. Since then, the city has ceased to be one of the most powerful fortresses in the Mediterranean and concentrated on Commerce and tourism. Today, the crypt under the Piazza Garibaldi recalls a very different nice – warlike and courageous, who have added a bright page in the history of Europe.

If you are going to visit the crypt, it is important to wear shoes with low heels – metal path which you have to walk, has a grid-based, thin heel will surely fall down in the hole.