Inside the Cryptoporticus in Arles
It seems that I have finally reached the main city center of Arles. There are significantly more people here, especially tourists. This means that I am most probably on the right path. I have already seen signs of Arles Roman past and it seems that there are more of them here. Arles has a few sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage site listing for the city. The next one something that is hidden – quite literally. The cryptoporticus of Arles is part of the heritage which the Romans have left behind in Arles.
Dark Passageways of the Cryptoporticus in Arles
A cryptoporticus is a passageway which is built as a foundation for a larger structure above. The structures are usually Roman forums or houses. I would like to think of it as a very large basement. Apparently, this whole area was the Roman forum. There is little of it remaining now but the foundation of the forum is still there. Since the cryptoporticus is covered, it is usually cool and dark and just used as storage for grains. Visitors can come and have a look around the cryptoporticus. There are lights in the cryptoporticus these days but it doesn’t mean that it is bright. There wasn’t much to see in the passageways since they are just halls. I didn’t know that forums had basements like these. It seems that the ancient Romans continue to impress me.
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