The Monument aux morts de Rauba-Capeù is a war memorial in Nice, located on the route du bord de mer at Quai Rauba-Capeù. Its name refers to a part of the Promenade des Anglais near the monument, where the wind is described in Niçois as strong enough to “steal hats” (rauba capèu). The monument stands on the first path carved into the rock, the ancien chemin des Ponchettes, which linked Cours Saleya to Port Lympia and was widened in 1826. The decision to build it was made in 1919 by François Goiran, mayor of Nice. The project was presented by Roger Séassal in 1913, later approved, and the monument was constructed in 1927 according to his plans. It was inaugurated by Marshal Foch and dedicated to Niçois who died during the First World War. The memorial is noted for its height, placing it among the tallest monuments in France. Its design includes plaques listing Niçois who died during the war, two high-reliefs by Alfred Janniot on themes of war and peace, an inscription dedicating the monument to the sons of Nice who died for France, and a sundial engraved on the ground with a diameter of twelve meters.
Nearby Objects
-
Church of Gesù 450 m away -
Église Sainte-Rita 450 m away -
Cimetière du Château 500 m away -
Chapelle de la Visitation Sainte-Claire 500 m away -
Palais Lascaris 550 m away
Location and Naming
The Monument aux morts de Rauba-Capeu is located in Nice, on the route du bord de mer at quai Rauba-Capeu. Its name comes from a nearby part of the Promenade des Anglais. In Niçois, rauba capeu means "steals hats," a reference to the strong wind in this area of the promenade.
History and Location
The Monument aux morts de Rauba-Capeu stands on the first path carved into the rock, known as the ancien chemin des Ponchettes, which connects Cours Saleya to Port Lympia. This passage was widened in 1826. The construction of the monument was decided in 1919 by Francois Goiran, mayor of Nice, and the project had previously been presented by Roger Seassal in 1913. After approval on an unspecified date, the first stone was laid on an old quarry site. The monument was constructed in 1927 according to the plans of architect Roger Seassal. It was dedicated to the people of Nice who died during the First World War and was inaugurated by Marshal Foch on an unspecified date. The monument later received the label Patrimoine du and won first prize at the Trophes de l'amenagement urbain in 2004.
Design and commemorative features
The Monument aux morts de Rauba-Capeu is notable for its height, which makes it one of the tallest monuments in France. Its commemorative elements include plaques with the names of Niçois who died during the First World War, placed in a niche, and an inscription dedicating the monument to the sons of Nice who died for France. The monument also features two high-reliefs sculpted by Alfred Janniot on themes of war and peace. At ground level, a sundial with a diameter of twelve meters is engraved into the site, adding a distinctive element to the overall design.