SIGHTSEEING
A WALK TO THE FAMOUS LA TURBIE TROPHY
This one , I believe , is the most challenging of all paths . It barely has horizontal sections to catch up on your breathing and stabilize the heart rate , only going upward . But that ’ s the beauty of it all ! It makes for a nice and fairly fast cardio workout ( the walk up only took me 40 minutes ).
Start the walk from the market on the Monaco and Beausoleil border . A famous staircase leading up to the Riviera Palace will be your first warm-up and reward before tackling the main challenge .
The Riviera Palace , symbol of Belle Epoque luxury , is classed as a historical monument . It used to be one of the main destinations , favoured by the Russian , Austro-Hungarian and English aristocracy . The legendary staircase , connecting the hotel with the Monte-Carlo Casino and Beausoleil , used to take its illustrious guests up and down . During the First World War , the palace served as a military hospital . It was finally closed in 1932 and later converted into an apartment building .
Follow the path until the “ Trophée d ’ Auguste La Turbie ”
sign . This part of the road is asphalted and fairly comfortable , in spite of its steep angle . Watch out for the junction , don ’ t miss the “ Chemin romain La Turbie ” sign ! The rest is easy . A cobblestone road will take you up to the famous Roman Trophy . And that will be
your reward indeed ! The majestic Trophy Monument ruins and its museum are waiting to be explored .
Romans used to build these kind of Trophies to thank gods for their battlefield victories and demonstrate their superiority over the defeated . Turris Beata was constructed back in 6 – 7 B . C . in honour of the Roman emperor Augustus . The adopted son of Caesar brought 45 Celtic tribes inhabiting the Alps under Roman rule . Despite repeated invasions , the tribes did not give up their positions , preventing the unification of certain Great Roman Empire provinces . Augustus subdued the rebels during four battles , largely expanding the borders of his state .
The Romans chose La Turbie to build their Trophy for a reason . It was the highest point of their newly reclaimed road , leading from Italy to Gaul ( modern France ). This was also a great way for the sailing ships to admire the triumphant Roman Empire . This Trophy was basically giving Augustus the status of deity .
Explore this path ! It ticks the boxes for both a workout and a cultural pastime !
Hello Monaco Summer — Autumn 2021 / 127 www . hellomonaco . com