Description
The monumental gateway to the Musée National de la Marine, a listed historic monument, was once the entrance to the Toulon naval base. Built in the 18th century, it was relocated and placed on the museum's façade in 1976.
Measuring 13.50 m high and 11.50 m wide, the monumental gate was built in 1738 to the designs of master sculptor Jean-Lange Maucord. Originally the entrance gate to the arsenal, it ceased to be used in 1956 and was moved in 1976 (on rails) to be placed on the façade of the Musée de la Marine.
It was designed like a Roman temple, with a central semicircular bay housing the entrance door, flanked on either side by a forebody with two columns supporting a 2.20 m-high statue in Calissanne stone.
The statue on the right, sculpted by Maucord, represents Minerva, goddess of ingenuity and reason, while the one on the left, depicting Mars, god of war, is by his son-in-law Jean-Michel Verdiguier.
The door is surmounted by an attic featuring a large shield surrounded by arms and flags. On either side, a small genie supports a bouquet of palms and laurels: these sculptures were created by Joseph Hubac.
