What will the new face of Castle Hill in Nice look like? This emblematic site of Nice’s history is the subject of a vast redevelopment project. It can be discovered in an exhibition at the Forum of Architecture and Urbanism.
More green and pedestrian spaces, walkways above archaeological excavation sites… The new version of Castle Hill is soon to come to life.
The topic is sensitive because the Castle Park is one of the favorite walking spots for the people of Nice. It is a park located on one of the many hills of the city, a place where people go to find a bit of calm and tranquility, to stroll…
The construction will last about 5 years and will be under the supervision of the Architect of the Buildings of France, who will ensure the respect of this emblematic space that includes 3,500 square meters of remains and excavations that testify to the origin of the site.
It will have a cost of 13 million euros, as announced by the First Deputy Philippe Pradal, who justifies it by stating: “we must not forget the past.”
Castle Hill is a massive limestone rock covering an area of approximately 13 hectares, rising nearly 100 meters above sea level.
At its origin, the mention of Nikaia, without it being possible to determine whether it corresponds to the Massaliote colony or an indigenous occupation, as a castellum is confirmed by a papal letter in 465 AD.
The castle (12th century) became a military citadel (15th century) that was destroyed along with its fortifications by a decision of King Louis XIV after the siege of 1706, following those of 1543 and 1691 led by the French armies.
It was in the early 1820s that the gradual establishment of the Castle Hill Park began. The first garden was set up in 1829. The first wooded arrangements were made from 1832 to 1839, and the large waterfall was supplied with water from the Vรฉsubie in 1887.
In 1951, the partially realized project of architect Franรงois Aragon set the grand principles, establishing the wooded profile that can be observed today.
Since then, maintenance and interventions have been occasional and in response to changing uses.
The current challenge is to rediscover the clarity of the founding grand principles.
It is within this framework that this rehabilitation project, addressing the unique constraints of the site, both in terms of heritage and its uses, finds all its relevance.
