La Ciotat fights for the title Ville d’Art et d’Histoire!

La Ciotat fights for the title Ville d’Art et d’Histoire!

La Ciotat, Frankreich - la Ciotat, a charming city on the French Mediterranean coast, has opened up to get the title "Ville d’Art et d’Histoire". This desired award could bring key resources for the development and upgrading of the city's cultural heritage. Jean-Louis Tixier, the deputy mayor, explains the ambitious strategy of transforming historical memory locations into living cultural sites. The focus is particularly on the restoration of the city's architectural treasures. The Eden Theater, which is considered the oldest cinema in the world, is one of the rescued locations. In addition, the old hospital originally built in 1610 was converted into a modern Mediathèque. Another important example is the oldest theater in the city, which is now used as a conservatory. These initiatives show the striving for the city to maintain the legacy and promote young talents.

a strong thrust for the community

On June 3, 2024, La Ciotat will officially submit the application for the title "Ville d’Art et d’Histoire". With this title, those responsible pursue the goal of developing the cultural heritage in close cooperation with the local communities. On June 23, the city council approved the start of an inventory entitled "The Legge of the 17th Century - The Golden Age of La Ciotat". This is created in cooperation with the regional authorities and the municipality and is intended to take a look at the heyday of the city, as a Genoese captain and shipowner provided economic upswing.

In the 17th century, La Ciotat experienced exceptional growth, which was particularly noticeable by numerous construction projects. At that time, numerous chapels and monasteries were founded, including by the Brotherhood of the Pénitets Bleus. This brotherhood, which was launched in 1597, left significant traces, especially by the chapel of the Pénitets Bleus, built in 1992 and classified as a historical monument in 1992

A look at the story

The city of La Ciotat looks back on an eventful story that is also reflected in its coat of arms. The current coat of arms show the city as a settlement by the sea, surrounded by former fortress plants. A linen fishing was of great importance for the first inhabitants; Even today, sardine fishing plays a central role in the region. This historical reference illustrates how strongly the stories of the past are interwoven with the identity of the city and how important it is to pass them on.

In addition, cultural heritage is perceived as a means of revitalization in many European cities. An EU-supported project, known as rock (regeneration and optimization of cultural heritage in Creative and Knowledge Cities), turns to the preservation and upgrading of historical centers. La Ciotat could benefit from these findings by using the cultural heritage to promote social and economic development.

The combination of historical heritage and modern projects shows that La Ciotat is on a promising path not only to establish itself as a cultural city, but also to increase the quality of life of its citizens. The city could soon serve as a model for other historical cities that want to master similar challenges.