許清曉(Clement C.S.Hsu, MD): Photos of Paris-Provence Part-4 of 8

[ last: Photos of Paris-Provence, Part-3 of 8 ]

Photographs from Paris-Provence tour--2008-10

(Part 4: Roman aqueduct, olive farm and mill, the asylum Van Gogh was admitted)

2008-10-06 :Roman Aqueduct on Gordon River at Vers-Pont-du-Gard (Bridge of the Gard). It is 49 m above River Gard. Built in the late 1st century BC or the early 1st century AD, to channel water from a spring near Uzes to the city Nimes in southern France 50 Km away. This structure was added to the list of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites in 1985.

From 800 to 1000 people were involved in the construction and took 3 years to accomplish. The full aqueduct had a gradient of 34 cm/km (1/3000), descending only 17 m vertically in its entire length and delivering 20,000 cubic meters (5 million gallons) of water daily. The maintenence was neglected after the 4th century, and was finally unusable by the 9th century.

Three hundred year-old transplanted olive tree.

The bridge has 3 levels.

The aqueduct's stones, weighing up to 6 tons, were precisely cut to fit perfectly together eliminating the need for mortar. The masonry was lifted into place by block and tackle with a massive human-powered treadmill providing the power for the winch.

Entrance to the water conduit.

Spectacular scenes from the bridge.

Mas de Barres, olive farm and olive oil mills.

Entrance to the Mas des Barres

Philippe, the owner of the best olive farm and mill in the world.

Lunch at Mas des Barres

Leisurely post-luncheon drink under the tree. That's life!

Landscape of van Gogh ;

The triumphant arch in the ruin of the Roman city, Glanum. Built in 10-25 AD. The oldest to be found in Gaul (Roman name for the Western Europe)

Cenotaph (monument) of the Julii, dating from the 20s BC, one of the best preserved to be found anywhere in the Roman world.

The psychiatric center at Monastery Saint-Paul de Mausole where van Gogh was treated from 1889-1890.

Van Gogh died at age 37 (1853-1890).

A pioneer of Expressionism, he produced 900 paintings and 1100 drawings and sketches during the last 10 years of his life!!

The garden of the Monastery where van Gogh was admitted for psychiatric illness.

(But van Gogh did not cut his own ear! Paul Gauguin did it!!! This, according to the newly discovered communications of van Gogh's brother. Gauguin shaved off van Gogh's ear with his sword in a fight. To protect his good friend from prosecution, van Gogh said he did it to himself with a razor.)