Along the Mediterranean coast - at the mouth of the Rhône River - is the second largest metropolitan area in France (after Paris): Marseilles. This port city in Southern France was founded by the Greeks around 600 BC. They called it “Marsalia.” Populated initially by Greek settlers from Phocaea ( modern day Foca, Turkey), it eventually sided with the Roman Republic against Carthage during the Second Punic War (218 to 201 BC). Since its founding, Marseilles had developed as a crossroads of trade and immigration throughout the Mediterranean.
After it became a Roman city, Marseilles prospered and developed into an early center of Christianity in the western Roman Empire. During the fifth century, it was captured by the Visagoths ( one of the most important and powerful of the Germanic tribes at the time). Charles Martel, Prince of the Franks (another powerful Germanic tribe) and his forces sacked Marseilles in 739. Seven hundred years later(1423), Marseilles was again invaded and sacked, this time by the “Crown of Aragon” (a Kingdom of Spain).
The Great Plague of 1720 decimated the population of the city, taking 70 years to recover. During Wirld War II, German Forces occupied Marseilles from 1942 onwards. It was heavily damaged by Allied bombings until it was liberated in 1944.
In addition to being a top tourist destination (around 4.1 million visitors per year), Marseilles has been featured in many movies, including “Fanny,” “ Barrabas,” “The Count of Monte Christo,” “ The French Connection,” and “The Snows of Kilimanjaro.” Desiree Clary (former Queen of Sweden) and actor Louis Jourdan were among some of the many famous folks who were born in Marseilles.
After it became a Roman city, Marseilles prospered and developed into an early center of Christianity in the western Roman Empire. During the fifth century, it was captured by the Visagoths ( one of the most important and powerful of the Germanic tribes at the time). Charles Martel, Prince of the Franks (another powerful Germanic tribe) and his forces sacked Marseilles in 739. Seven hundred years later(1423), Marseilles was again invaded and sacked, this time by the “Crown of Aragon” (a Kingdom of Spain).
The Great Plague of 1720 decimated the population of the city, taking 70 years to recover. During Wirld War II, German Forces occupied Marseilles from 1942 onwards. It was heavily damaged by Allied bombings until it was liberated in 1944.
In addition to being a top tourist destination (around 4.1 million visitors per year), Marseilles has been featured in many movies, including “Fanny,” “ Barrabas,” “The Count of Monte Christo,” “ The French Connection,” and “The Snows of Kilimanjaro.” Desiree Clary (former Queen of Sweden) and actor Louis Jourdan were among some of the many famous folks who were born in Marseilles.
Marseilles’ Old Port is the heart of the city. For centuries, this was the center for trade and immigration throughout the Mediterranean.
Even from the water, one can see the vitality of Marseille as it mixes the old (i.e the Basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde high on the hill) with the new.
Forte Saint Jean ( constructed in 1660) still protects the harbor of Marseille.
Originally built in the 12th century, the Cathedral of Saint Mary Major was rebuilt in 1852 and serves as the seat of the Archdiocese of Marseille.
Chateaux d’If, originally built as a fortress between 1524 and 1531, and later transformed into a prison, was the inspirational setting for Alexandre Dumas’ “The Count of Monte Christo.”
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