Imagine stepping back in time on Rue de l’Antiquaille. This street whispers tales of Roman settlements. It echoes with the prayers of nuns and the cries of patients.
Rue de l’Antiquaille sits on Fourvière hill. It is near the Gallo-Roman theaters. This location gives it a rich history.
The area was first inhabited in ancient times. Before it was a well-known hospital, Pierre Sala built a grand home here. Sala was a Lyon bourgeois. He named it “Anticaille” because he found Roman ruins on the land. Later, it became a convent for the Visitandines. In the 19th century, Lyon turned the convent into a hospital.
Fourvière hill was important to Gallo-Roman civilization in Lyon. Rue de l’Antiquaille was within the ancient city walls. It was close to the Forum and the Theaters. So it is no surprise that traces of this past were found here.
In 1854, a marble plaque was found. It read “in dom(o) Iulian(i or –a)”. Some thought it was an imperial palace. Others said it was Caesar’s house. The most likely theory is that it belonged to a citizen named Iulianus. Legend says Saint Pothin was judged here. He was Lyon’s first bishop. He may have been imprisoned here with other martyrs.
Excavations uncovered ancient dwellings. These digs revealed roads and sewers. They also found water systems and mosaics. Private baths and stucco decorations were unearthed.
In the late Middle Ages, the area was called “Champs de Colle”. Vineyards covered the land.
Pierre Sala bought land to build a residence. Between 1505 and 1514, he built a house and a chapel. He named it “l’Anticaille” because of the ruins. After Sala died in 1529, his heirs expanded the property.
In 1629, Mathieu de Sève bought the house. He gave it to the Visitandines. They moved in in 1630.
The Visitandines were founded in 1610. They transformed the site. They built a cloister and new wings. The nuns extended the original dwelling. They added a chapel. By 1639, the church was dedicated to the Virgin and Lyon martyrs.
During the Revolution in 1792, the nuns left. The property was sold in 1796.
In 1803, the hospital of the Quarantaine moved here. It was renamed Saint-Pothin Hospital. The hospital cared for beggars. Legend says Saint Pothin was imprisoned near the chapel.
The Antiquaille continued to welcome the needy. It remained independent from city authorities. Unlike other Lyon hospitals, it elected its own president.
The hospital did not specialize in any one area. However, it often treated skin diseases. It also cared for venereal diseases. Many patients were women.
In 1839, the hospital’s mission was redefined. It would house the mentally ill and epileptics. It also cared for those with syphilis and skin conditions. The goal was to provide care. The aim was to reintegrate patients into society.
From 1830, the Antiquaille modernized its medical system. A new council was appointed. It included doctors and lawyers. The medical staff became more skilled.
In 1845, the hospital faced financial problems. It was annexed to the Hospices Civils de Lyon.
In 2003, the hospital closed. It was redeveloped into apartments and a museum. A restaurant and a hotel were added.
Today, L’Antiquaille is a cultural space. It focuses on the history of Christianity. The “cachot” of Saint Pothin is on display. The crypt of the Christian martyrs is visible.
The buildings are listed as historical monuments. The “cachot” of Saint Pothin is also listed.
Rue de l’Antiquaille stands as a testament. It is a reminder of Lyon’s long and varied past. From Roman settlements to a modern cultural center, it has played many roles. It invites you to discover its layers of history.