Colonne romaine
MonumentHidden Treasure
Colonne romaine, located in Sencenac-Puy-de-Fourches (Dordogne), is a ancient remains built in Antiquity. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- autre
- Period
- Antiquity
- Location
- Sencenac-Puy-de-Fourches, Dordogne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 45.3103, 0.6974
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00082995
An exceptional Gallo-Roman vestige in the Périgord, this 3rd-century column with its spiral-moulded shaft and palmette capital is an elegant reminder of the Roman presence in the Dordogne.
History
In the heart of the peaceful commune of Sencenac-Puy-de-Fourches, in the north of the Dordogne, stands a silent witness to Antiquity: a Roman column from the Gallo-Roman period, listed as a Monument Historique since 1948. A rare architectural vestige standing alone in this part of the Périgord, it intrigues as much as it fascinates, reminding us that these verdant lands were once traversed by Rome's engineers and builders. What immediately sets this column apart from the rest of the ancient remains is the sophistication of its sculptural treatment. The shaft, moulded in a helical spiral - a technique known as "screwing" - betrays an expert hand, well-versed in the decorative codes of the late Roman Empire. Far from being a simple structural support, the column was most likely part of a monumental programme: a funerary monument, an ornamental milestone or part of a vanished architectural ensemble, it carried with it a deliberate aesthetic intention. The experience of visiting it is that of an intimate encounter with Antiquity, without the mediation of crowds or museum display cases. Standing on its stone base resting on a solid mass of consolidated cement, the column is presented to the eye in its rural context, accentuating its strangeness and poetry. You can walk around it, observing the twisting of the shaft at eye level, detailing the palmettes that adorn the capital - a plant motif inherited from the Greek repertoire and widely adopted by Rome. The surrounding area adds to the unique atmosphere of the place. The commune of Sencenac-Puy-de-Fourches, nestling in the wooded hills of the Périgord Vert, offers a haven of unspoilt nature, far from the hustle and bustle of tourism. For heritage enthusiasts and curious walkers alike, a stop in front of this column is an opportunity to appreciate the historical depth of an area often reduced to its medieval castles and gastronomy.
Architecture
The column at Sencenac-Puy-de-Fourches has a tripartite composition typical of Roman architecture: a base, a shaft and a capital. Today, the whole structure rests on a cement base added during modern consolidation work, which itself supports an original stone plinth cut from local limestone, probably when the monument was erected. The most remarkable feature is undoubtedly the spiral-moulded shaft, known as the "screw". This helical ornamentation, which runs the full height of the shaft, requires advanced chisel skills and a thorough knowledge of ancient geometry. This treatment - popularised in particular by the Trajan column in Rome - can be found in the sculptures of the late Roman Empire, where it reflects a pronounced taste for visual dynamics and movement. In Gaul, twisted columns of this kind are relatively rare, which makes the Sencenac example a valuable document. The capital, decorated with stylised palmettes, is in the tradition of the Corinthian capitals that dominated Gallo-Roman provincial production in the 3rd century. The palmette, a plant motif inherited from the Greek repertoire, was widely used in Roman art as a symbol of victory and immortality - a further indication that the monument may have been used for funerary or votive purposes. Together, they form a coherent object, both functional in its structural logic and fully ornamental in its plastic expression.
Related Figures
Ingénieurs et lapicides gallo-romains anonymes du IIIe siècle, artisans de la torsade hélicoïdaleÉlites pétrocores romanisées, commanditaires présumés du monumentConservateurs des Monuments Historiques ayant instruit le dossier de classement en 1948Archéologues périgourdins du XIXe-XXe siècle ayant inventorié le patrimoine antique de Dordogne
Tags
Nearby castles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Colonne romaine located?
Colonne romaine is located in Sencenac-Puy-de-Fourches, Dordogne department, Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, France.
When was Colonne romaine built?
Colonne romaine dates back to a period built during Antiquity.
Is Colonne romaine open to visitors?
Colonne romaine is currently closed to visitors.
