Château and ramparts of the city of Carcassonne. 카르카손(Carcassonne)

Château and ramparts of the city of Carcassonne.

카르카손(Carcassonne). 프랑스(France)

 

1. History

An exemplary restoration

 

2,500 years of history

Inhabited from ancient times, the site was protected at the time of the Lower Empire by a Gallo-Roman enclosure. This, however, did not prevent Visigoth, Saracen and Frankish assailants from taking possession of it in turn.

 

From independence to annexation

In the 12th century, the Trencavel* dynasty was one of the most powerful families in the South of France. In 1208, Pope Innocent III called for a crusade against the Cathar heresy. Carcassonne was besieged and surrendered  on 15 August 1209. In 1226 the viscounty of Carcassonne became part of the royal domain as a seneschalsy. It was at this time that the town became the fortress we can still see today.

 

Siege of Carcassonne : La Canso", 13th century manuscript.

* Explanations overleaf.

 

Rediscovery and restoration

Until the signature of the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659, Carcassonne was used to protect the border between France and Aragon. In the 19th century, the architect Viollet-le-Duc restored the city to its medieval appearance.

It was listed as s UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

 

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2. Visit

 

Ground floor

1. In the main courtyard stands the keep

 

2. and the main buildings.

    These date back to the 12th century when the Trencavels*, the Viscounts of Carcassonne,

     transformed.

 

3. the original château of the Counts.

    The chapel which once stood to the north of the palace has since been destroyed.

    After the crusade against tyhe Albigensians* (1209-1229), the former Viscounty of

    Carcassonne became a Seneschalsy*. The palace was redesigned to house the new Royal

    administration. The residential buildings and keep were raised. Above the window on the

    keep it is possible to make our the former crenellations.

 

4. The château enclosure (fortified outer wall)

    was built in the same period. These areas were occupied until the early 20th century by

    military garrisons, and underwent multiple transformations. As part of the 19th century

    restorations, the original shape of the royal château was reinstated.

    In the Midi courtyard, traces on the ground and walls give an idea of where the Great Gothic.

 

5. Hall would have been. The watchtower (Pinte tower, 5)

    dominates the whole enclosure.

 

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2nd floor

 

"Sur les traces de la cité"

(12 min film)

 

 

Second floor by the great staircase

A highly informative film about the history of the monument through the issues encountered during its restoration.

 

The Parapet walk

Second floor after the film

 

6. View of the Western ramparts

   The two enclosures are very close to each other here. In the foreground is the 13th century

   so-called Tower of Justice, which housed the archives of the Inquisition.

   Beyond the tower is the former cathedral, built in the Romanesque and Gothic style

   (1096-1321)

 

7. the hoardings

    These wooden galleries completed the defensive fortifications, protecting the base of the

     ramparts.

 

8. view of the Northern ramparts

    The Gallo-Roman enclosure is characterised by its stone and brick cladding.

    This is the best preserved part of the old fortifications

 

 

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1st floor

 

The stonework museum

 

First floor via the parapet walk

Some of the major pieces:

 

9. Pierre Embry Hall

   Altarpiece of the Passion (display cabinet) comprising three polychrome alabasters, early 15th

   century, from the Church of Saint-Sernin in the town. The Flagellation, the Crucifixion, and

   Christ in Limbo are shown in half relief.

 

10. Arcaded Hall

   Arch work from three windows in the Grassalio house in the lower town, sandstone,

  15th century

 

11. Gothic Hall

   Recumbent statue of  a knight, sandstone, late 13th century, from the Abbey of Lagrasse

 

12. Vaulted Hall in the keep : camera rotunda

   Late 12th century paintins showing a combat between Christian and Saracen knights.

 

13. Romanesque Hall

   Ablutions fountain, white marble, 12th century, from the Abbey of Lagrasse. The water ran

   from the mascarons in the shape of a lion's or a human head.

 

14. Old Hall

   Early Christian sarcophagus, white marble, 5th century. Biblical scenes surround the

   representation of the two deceased.

 

 

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The Bastide

                                  

                                   A Reception & ticket office

                                   B Exit & ramparts  

The Northern ramparts

 

Access from the main courtyard

 

15. View to the west of the bastide Saint-Louis

   The lower town on the other side of the River Aude was founded by Louis IX (1247) and still

   has its typical bastide look. Its two major churches are Saint-Vincent, lying to the north, with

   its 15th century belltower, and Saint-Michel to the South.

 

16. View over the plain of the River Aude

   Carcassonne lies between the Massif Central and the Pyrenees. The town controls the route

   between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.

 

17. View over the Tréseau tower

   The Tréseau Tower was built in the late 13th century to house the Royal Treasury.

 

18. The Porte Narbonnaise

   The twin towers, a symbol of royal power, were the most impressive part of the fortifications.

   Inside, an enormous machicolation (an opening for dropping projectiles) was used to defend.

    the main entrance to the city.

 

* Explanations overleaf.

 

3. Restoration work

The restoration of the city

The damaged city

The annexation of Roussilln by the kingdom of France in 1659 marked the decline of the city of Carcassonne, which was gradually abandoned in favour of the lower town (the bastide Saint-

Louis).

In the early 19th century, the military garrison found it difficult to ensure the upkeep of the

fortifications. The ramparts were used as stone quarries and progressively fell into ruin.

 

A wake-up call

A group of Carcassonne academics took action, and in 1835 they obtained national support

from Prosper Mérimée, the inspector of historic monuments. In 1844, the State appointed

architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc (1814-1879) to oversee restoration works. He undertook a

complete study of the fortifications. The city was identified as the finest example of medieval

military architecture and became one of the largest restoration sites in Europe.

 

Viollet-le-Duc's concept of restoration

Work lasted from 1853 to 1862.

His proposals were realistic and affordable, with plans for nine towers without roofs.

In 1862 he put forward a second project envisaging the full restoration of the two enclosures.

After his death, his pupil Paul Boeswillwald (1844-1931) continued the restoration works,

completing them in 1911 with the castle and southern part of the city.

 

 

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4. Information

 

Visitor information

Visit for individuals and groups

- Unguided tour of the castle and northern ramparts

- Guided tour

- Lecture tour

- Audio-guide tour

- Adapted tours for school groups and disabled visitors, booking required.

 

Facilities

- Places to rest during the visit

- Toilets for disabled visitors

- Bookshop-giftshop

- Room hire

- Guidebooks available in Braille, in large type, and for people with reduced mobility.

- Wheelchairs and Joelette avaiable

 

www.monuments-nationaux.fr

 

 

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