Cities of France: Bayonna
The administrative center of the same name and the capital of the cat-basket is the city of Bayonna, or Bayonne (Bayonne, Baiona), lies on the southern shore of Adura, 5 km from the coast of the Atlantic. This is one of the most picturesque cities of the coast, recognized center of Basque culture in France.
The countdown of the city’s history is conducted from Roman Lapurdum (III in. N. NS.), which gave the name to the western region of the Basque Countries. In the 9th century, the Vikings chose the city by their base, from where the rivers of their light dragkars could pass up to the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, and therefore control almost the entire southern part of modern France. By the XII century, the city was already a major port with a mixed Basque and Gasconian population. At the same time, like all Aquitations, he was controlled by the British until the middle of the century, being the key commercial center of the southern part of the English kingdom. Only at the very end of the century of war, Charles VII takes the city storm, but by that time the river adurates are already moving the sea from the port (in 1578 channels were burned to solve this problem). In the XVI century, the fartheld from the Portuguese Inquisition, the samples bring with them the ability to prepare chocolate, and Bayonna blooms again as a shopping center, however – almost without increasing in size. Bayonna reached a heyday in the XVIII century, when the glory of local gunsmiths and confectioners extends far beyond France (a bayonet, for example, in all languages of Western Europe is still called by bayonet). But then his influence gradually subsides, and now it is a small town that does not have any large attractions, but possessing a well-developed transport network and famous charm.
sights
River Nive (Nive) divides Bayonna for the work of the old quarters surrounded by the walls of the work Grand Bayon and Pet-Bayon, Found five bridges. The river itself is more like the main street of the city, since on both banks are framed by numerous cozy areas, picturesque buildings in a characteristic Basque style and leaving right on the moorings by markets and restaurants. At the same time, the narrow streets of the old city are superbly suitable for hiking excursions, and cute houses with multi-colored shutters literally ask for the camera lens.
In Grand Bayone you can see lock XIV century (closed to the public), huge Botanical Garden west of it, elegant Saint-Marie Cathedral (Cathedrale Sainte-Marie de Bayonne, XIII-XVII centuries.) with green lawns included in the same complex of the monastery of the same name (XIII-XVI in.), Town Hall, The picturesque shopping streets Thiers, De La Monnaie, Des Faures and D’Espagne, as well as the most beautiful area of the city – the embankment and the moorings of the Niva east of the Cathedral.
PC Bayon is famous for its Arcadami (XVI B.) Coastal strip, Basque Museum (from May to October is open from Thursday to Sunday, from 10.00 to 18.thirty; From November to April – from Thursday to Sunday, from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 18.00; the entrance ticket – 5.5 euros or 9 euros – one with the Bonn museum) with excellent Women’s Gallery (Skipper Columbus Juan Sebastian de Elakano was just a basket) and located nearby Museum Bonn www.Musee-bonnat.COM with a good artistic collection.
At the north bank of Adura are residential and industrial areas of the city, uninteresting enough at first glance. However, here are located synagogue (XIX B.), Saint Espiri Church (XV-XVII centuries.), massive Citadel Voban (1680 g.) With nearby English cemetery, as well as old, but still working Dobine In the complex of the plant, where they make the famous local alcoholic beverage on herbs – "Idzara", or "Isarra".
