Medici column

The Colonne Médicis in Paris is an astrological column in the 16th century. She is since 1975 a protected monument ( Monument historique ). The nearest stations are Paris Métro Louvre - Rivoli ( line 1) and Les Halles ( line 4).

History

The column at the end of the 19th century, the Bourse de Commerce was grown, is the last remnant of the mansion, which was built in 1572, the Queen Mother Catherine de Medici. It should have been used by the astrologer Ruggieri Côme observe the stars. 1748 rescued Louis Petit de Bachaumont the column before the destruction and donated it to the city of Paris.

Description

The Doric column is the architect Jean Bullant attributed. It has a height of 31 meters and a diameter of 3 meters. Inside, a staircase with 147 steps leads to the observation platform. 18 fluting decorate the column, you can see also on the column shaft small crown and the monogram C and H, which stands for Catherine and her husband Henry II. Parts of the allegorical jewelry are no longer available.

1812 a plaque was affixed with a Latin inscription and the coat of arms of the city of Paris.