Ancient Helvetic capital celebrates 2,000 years of existence

Named after a Helvetic Goddess, the Western Swiss town of Avenches celebrated its 2,000 years jubilee during a four-day event which ended on Monday, the Pentecost holiday.

Following the annexation of all territories constituting modern-day Switzerland in 15 BC, Aventicum, as it was called by its Roman invaders, was once the strategic hill-top capital of the ancient Switzerland.

Located 40 Km west of Switzerland's contemporary capital Bern, the small canton Vaud settlement boasts a collection of historic vestiges built in the heyday of the Roman Empire.

The high-street entices the enraptured visitor like a magnet towards an opening which unveils a splendidly-kept Roman amphitheatre against a scenic backdrop of rolling hills and fields.

Once seating some 16,000 spectators, this quintessentially Roman masterpiece built towards the end of the 1st century AD used to host a range of events to entertain the capital's 20,000 populace.

The region's biggest Roman center and a hub of socio-economic affairs in its apogee, the amphitheatre is but one of many well-conserved ruins scattered across this very special town.

A theatre, built in 2nd century AD, and a short walk down the hill from the town's apex, lies across a vast field which hosted a medieval camp as part of the historic commemorations.

Throngs of tourists witnessed staged gladiator fights, as sounds of feudal music floated across from tents which sheltered reenactors playing out the jovial activities of yesteryear in archaic attires.

Visible from the theatre and part of a sanctuary complex, a solitary Roman pillar, named le Cigognier, stoically stands as a tangible reminder of the Helvetic capital's bygone might.

As history has shaped, changed and moulded the town, this special event served as a poignant reminder that these age-old ruins continue to play an important part in the town's past, present and future identity. Endti