Bonjour et Bienvenue!
Welcome to this weeks last batch of posts!
While last week I explored the importance of the main thoroughfare of Saint Petersburg, Russia; circa the late 19th and early 20th century, this week I decided to change it up once again! The process of telling a story of a city is always a tricky one; moving away from photographs sourced online, I am delving into my own family’s albums in order to give you all a view of the city through my own camera lens. This week’s post will be centered on the city of Marseille in France. I will specifically examine how the modern city of Marseille has embraced its cultural and historical character while in keeping with the modernity of the 21st century.
Aoife Cotter|112495138
Marseille is proudly France’s second largest city, after Paris. Due to its prime location on the Mediterranean coast, Marseille has always been a port city . Once known as Massalia; it was home to the first permanent Greek settlement and acted as a primary trading post for the Greek Empire. Over the centuries the Marseille metropolitan landscape has been witness to various changes; the introduction of various landmarks have enriched the cityscape and more recently the process of urbanization has transformed the city once again.
In April, my parents, in celebration of a landmark anniversary, ventured on a Mediterranean cruise. They explored a range of cities dotted along the Mediterranean coast; Marseille was one of these cities. Although it was a quick visit, while in Marseille they discovered some of the cultural landmarks which illuminate the cityscape.
Marseille’s Vieux Port is one of the grand Mediterranean ports, its World Heritage-listed site status has ensured that it is one of Marseille’s main tourist attractions. Tourism is a major part of Marseille’s economy, the areas surrounding the Old Port are filled with coffee shops, muesums, restaurants and open public space. All of these are of primary importance in a tourist orientated space.
Image 1.1 – This first image depicts the area of the Vieux Port (The Old Port), it was captured as the ship came into port. The panoramic image illustrates how the mountains effectively encircle the modern city built in its valley. It provides a good example of where the modern high rise housing styles meet just one of Marseille’s many culturally and architecturally rich builds. This fortification, which guards the Old Port, is known as the Fort Saint Jean; built in 1660 by King Louis XIV.
The city is deeply marked by its colorful past. There is a clear juxtaposition of how the old style architecture meets the new modern builds in the city. This mix creates a unique vibrancy, it enhances the appeal and overall experience of the city. For my parents, arriving into the port of Marseille was a very powerful experience. They, like many others, were drawn to the city’s blend of architecture as they began their approach into the city’s port. The effects of urbanization is clearly evident here in Marseille is exemplified by the density of high rise housing nestled into the surrounding mountain.
Image 1.2 – Even amongst the new builds of the late 20th century and early 21st century, the Basilica still stands tall as a beacon of Marseille. The Basilica also known as the Notre Dame de la Garde is just one of many culturally and historically important landmarks in Marseille; located just south of the Old Port.
Image 1.3 – A closer look at Notre Dame de la Garde. While it is a functioning Basilica, it also functions as a major tourist attraction for the city. An example of this is the petite train parked just to the left of the image. On the back of this in 2013, Notre Dame de la Garde unveiled its own new museum presenting 800 years of the Basilica and its place in the history of Marseille..
The city’s stance and success in embracing its individual culture and history was recognized in 2013 as the city was honored with title of; the European Capital of Culture 2013. The global recognition has given the city yet another status boost, providing another captivating reason to explore the city.
Image 1.4 – The Port Vieux Pavillion ; a giant mirror canopy designed by architectural firm Foster and Partners at Marseille Vieux Port. This open public space acts as a place of recreation and reflection as it reflects both its viewers and surroundings. It is a huge attraction for Marseille’s citizens and tourists alike.
The redevelopment of Marseille’s Vieux Port was jointly awarded the 2014 European Prize for Urban Public Space at a ceremony in Barcelona on the 25th of April 2014. The Prize was established to recognize the public character of urban spaces and their capacity for promoting social cohesion.
Image 1.5 – Redevelopment is still occurring in Marseille today. The array of architectural styles in the city bursts from this photograph, ranging from typically Mediterranean clay roofed houses and apartments to high density apartments and office buildings. Pictured here is the Velodrome Stadium (Stade Velodrome) which was photographed in April 2014.
Fun Fact: Marseille played host to two major sporting events, the first being; the FIFA World Cup in 1998 and the second; The Rugby World Cup in 2007.
In 2016, France will play the role of host country for the UEFA European Football Championships. Marseille’s Stade Velodrome will play host to some of the games. It is located in the south of the city, on the north shore of the Huveaune River. While an ultra modern building, it provides a prime function in terms of the availability of recreational based activity and supports the internal economy of the city.
Image 1.6 – This image was taken from outside the Basilica; the highest viewing point of the city. It presents a portrait of the cityscape; showing both the density and variety of housing styles, public green spaces and the port and surrounding waters. In the back drop of the photograph are the two forts which once used to protect the city. The first; Fort Saint – Jean and the second; Fort Saint – Nicolas are on the right and left hand side of the image; respectively.
Marseille is a city filled with both modern and historically significant builds. The success of the city lies within its ability to allow these forms to live side by side in harmony. A modern city, in order to survive, needs change and redevelopment, but the markers of the past should be included in the process. The significant landmarks of Marseille have survived the passage of time and are being embraced today both by the city’s citizens and visiting tourists alike. The city of Marseille will no doubt benefit from hosting some of the European Championship games. They will entice thousands of people into the city, in turn creating a mini boom for the city’s businesses and service sector. They will also uplift the city’s global image as a city which ensures the survival and upkeep of its past and historically symbolic architecture.
On that concluding note, I bid a final farewell to all of you.
Th th th th th th . . . that’s all folks!
Aoife
Bibliography
All of the images included in today’s blog post have been kindly donated by my father.
Marseille History – Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marseille [Accessed 1 November 2014]
UEFA European Championship 2016 Information – Available at: http://fr.uefa.com/uefaeuro-finals/hosts/france/city=2201/index.html [Accessed 4 November 2014]
Marseille’s Vieux Port awarded the 2014 European Prize for Urban Public Space – Available at: http://www.fosterandpartners.com/news/archive/2014/04/marseille-vieux-port-wins-european-prize-for-urban-public-space/ [Accessed 4 November 2014]
Port Vieux Pavillion – Available at: http://www.dezeen.com/2013/03/06/vieux-port-pavilion-by-foster-partners/ [Accessed 4 November 2014]
Drawing From The Archives 