The nymphaeum at Grand-Pressigny, acquired in 2021 by the 'county' of Indre-et-Loire, will soon be restored. Which is just as well, as it is looking very sad and sorry at the moment, suffering from poor previous restorations, the effects of weather and neglect, and vandalism. Local kids have been climbing all over the site and have damaged the ugly modern concrete block buttresses. The building is now clearly dangerous and has been cordoned off from public access.
A unique site in Indre et Loire, rare on a national scale, a nymphaeum is a Renaissance construction of Italian inspiration with refined architecture and enhanced by paintings and sculptures. It is equipped with an elaborate hydraulic network with basins and fountains. Left abandoned until the 19th century, the building was largely used as architectural salvage and partly dismantled to recover the stones.
In 2004, a rescue operation saved the vault and the northern façade, which had been badly damaged. With the new restoration the façade will regain its architectural brilliance. This rebirth will be accompanied by the restitution of a part of the hydraulic network with its central basin. Stone benches will allow visitors to sit and admire the building. A staircase and a terrace will replace the current buttresses. Access will be facilitated and a link will be established with the chateau in order to give a feeling of the original arrangement.
It forms part of the continuing development of Grand-Pressigny, and enriches visitor experience at the Museum of Prehistory, housed in the chateau.
3 comments:
I'm sure that the nymphs will be grateful for the restoration. It is good to hear of 'public' money going on such a scheme as this. I hope that I get the chance to visit it when I eventually get to a new tour de France.
This sounds like a hidden treasure, soon to be brought to light. Can you give me a sense of the size of what we see in the photo and of how big the interior might be?
Potty: The 'nymphs' were ladies up to naughty things in many cases.
Carolyn: The footprint is about 10 metres squared. Inside it is circular, with a high vaulted dome ceiling. There is a circular basin in the middle, and benches around it along the wall.
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