Standing before you is the Pyramide La Pennelle a structure shrouded in mystery. This unique monument in La Penne-sur-Huveaune has stood for over 2000 years. It sparks curiosity and invites speculation about its original purpose.
La Penne-sur-Huveaune sits between Marseille and Aubagne. The town is built on an ancient Roman road now the RN8. The origin of the town is not clear but the name Penne means promontory in Celtic.
Now look closely at the Pyramide La Pennelle. This massive construction is in the shape of a truncated pyramid. Its base is rectangular about 6.10 by 5.2 meters. The Pyramide La Pennelle reaches a height of approximately 8 meters. Its bulging profile is reminiscent of the Egyptian pyramid of Saqqarah.
Notice that the four sides are different. None are symmetrical. The south side shows a recess suggesting a staircase. This might have led to an ex-voto on the structure. The Pyramide La Pennelle is built with a facing of local stone. It is bonded by a very hard mortar. You can see holes on each exterior face. These are called boulins. The monument is hollow.
Multiple factors caused degradation over time. Treasure hunters took material for construction. The top of the Pyramide La Pennelle is also damaged. Originally a pyramidion seemed to crown it. We know this from a document of 1636. La Pennelle was used as a watchtower during the plague of 1720. The epidemic decimated the family that owned the village’s barony and castle.
Many ideas exist about the origin of the Pyramide La Pennelle. Some say it was a Greek tomb or temple. Others believe it was the burial place of General Penellus. He may have been buried with his arms and horse. Still others think it was a boundary marker. Some suggest a medieval building was part of the old castle of the lords of Candolle. In 1708 Nicolas de Fer called it the “Arab Tower”. Cassini’s map calls it “Turcad” of the Arabs. This reference to the Arabs seems fanciful. No document alludes to it.
The most plausible theory is that it’s a mausoleum. More precisely it’s a rural “pile” less ornate than others. Archaeological circles believe it dates back to the late first century BC. Its construction style is similar to that of Saqqarah. A marble cinerary basin found nearby supports this idea. It lacks a lid but has bronze fixing tenons.
The basin was turned into a fountain. In 1964 it was moved to the priory of Saint Jean de Garguier. In 2004 it returned to the village. Today it is in the hall of the performance hall.
Without serious excavations around and inside the Pyramide La Pennelle we can only speculate. However ancient Roman coins have been found nearby. The Pyramide La Pennelle was classified as a historical monument on July 12 1886.
Another theory suggests that the Pyramide La Pennelle was integrated into the defenses of the old Candolle castle during the Middle Ages. Even if confirmed it does not indicate the monument’s original purpose.
Local sources from the 19th century speak of the tomb of an unknown Roman general Pennellius. He supposedly died during the siege of Massilia Marseille. He was buried there with his horse. Others claim it is a mausoleum honoring a battle that took place there.
Some have mentioned a Greek Phoenician or even Egyptian temple without any real support. The marble funerary basin may have been removed from the pyramid at some unknown time. This cinerary basin likely contained an urn. Traces of ashes were discovered there. All archaeological traces of these old discoveries have disappeared. If they are in a museum or parish they have never been identified.
Today the Pyramide La Pennelle has seven levels. It likely had eight before. Construction probably dates to the end of the first century BC. La Penelle may be a Gallo-Roman mausoleum. Two marble sarcophagi were found there. One has disappeared. An exterior staircase likely existed on the south side. The monument was certainly incorporated into the Candolle castle dating from the end of the 12th century.
The Pyramide La Pennelle stands as a testament to the enduring mysteries of the past. Its true purpose may forever remain a topic of debate. It continues to fascinate and inspire those who gaze upon it.