2023-08-08
A few days ago, I was talking to a girl who studied and worked in France, and I told her what places in France I had traveled to. She complained that I visited a lot of niche destinations. At mention of "Carcassonne", even she, who had lived in France for several years, was at a loss for a moment and said: "Ah, you even went here." I said, "I like it very much. Although it was many years ago, its greatness and splendor is forever imprinted in my memory."
There is no shortage of castles large and small in Europe, and each castle carries history of a family or city. The most concentrated site of French castles is Loire Valley. As summer resort of French royal family, every year hundreds of castles everywhere highlight sophistication and elegance of France, because these castles are residences of royal family, and Carcassonne is same as most of Europe. As a castle was built for defense . In long and dark Middle Ages, wars often broke out between families and states, and military fortresses had to be built. After a thousand years of development, fortresses grew little by little, forming small and medium-sized cities, typical representative.
Carcassonne is capital of Languedoc-Roussillon region in Aude in southwestern France. The city runs along main entrance between Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, leading to Iberian Peninsula in south. Its important geographical position has made it a battlefield for military strategists since ancient times, and its history dates back to city where ancient Roman merchants were active in 4th century BC. The castle was first mentioned in historical records in an article written by a pilgrim in April 333 BC. In 2nd century AD, ancient Romans built a city wall on a 50-meter hill, which was prototype of city. Since then, it has been ruled by Goths, Saracens and Franks, and castle has combined traces of different eras. In 11th century, castle began to expand on a large scale. In 13th century, Pope Innocent III launched a “Crusade” to combat religious heresies in southern France. Carcassonne surrendered and was included in territory of French king. King Philippe of France took castle as a center and built a number of public facilities around it such as churches and markets, setting pattern seen today.
Location of Carcassonne
With end of era of edged weapons, castle lost its defensive significance, castle was repeatedly besieged, expanded and destroyed. In 19th century, ill-fated castle fell into disrepair, and in 1849 French even began to discuss whether it should be demolished! Thanks to perseverance and determination of Jean-Pierre cross-Mayreville, a well-known archaeologist and historian of that time, Napoleon III approved in 1853 90% of funds provided by state, and 10% by municipal government and General Council of Aude. By end of 19th century, it formed what we see today: inner Romanesque city wall and outer Gothic city wall. There are 26 archery towers, 52 in total, located on a 50m hill along with a 3km city wall, overlooking Aude Valley, easy to defend but hard to attack. Behind city wall, almost 2 meters thick, is a well-functioning public city, consisting of churches, main castles, squares, markets, houses and streets. Such a construction makes it completely self-sufficient: as soon as war starts and soldiers approach city, they will not be afraid of a siege for a month.
When I arrived at foot of Castle Hill, I couldn't help but sigh: thanks to perseverance of historians, here is this largest and best preserved medieval castle in Europe. In 1997, UNESCO listed it as a world cultural heritage. Since then, castle has developed magnificently, and Europe has lost old castle that has seen vicissitudes of world and added a tourist attraction that tourists dream of. A small city with a population of only 40,000 people annually receives more than 3 million tourists.
The city of Carcassonne and castle are divided on both sides of river Leud. There is basically nothing worth playing in city. From station to river can be reached on foot in about 15 minutes. The stone bridge across river is simply called "Old Bridge (Pont Vieux)". It was built in 14th century and rebuilt along with castle in 19th century. This is most famous scenery in Carcassonne, besides castle, it is also best place to take pictures of castle scenery.
The castle has two gates: "Porte d'Aude" and "Porte Narbonnaise", built in 1280. When I arrived from city, I was first to see latter. Looking at city walls and towers, I could not help but sigh: this is European castle of my dreams!
Entering city gates, you see a complex of defensive structures, including two gates suspended from a fence, two iron gates, a moat and a drawbridge. The scientific name for this suspension bridge is "Levis Bridge (Lewis)". It was also restored in 19th century, but is controversial because restoration is too "new".
In 8th century AD, Carcassonne was occupied by Saracens, Charlemagne came to city and besieged city for five years, no matter how self-sufficient city was, it was almost exhausted. Charlemagne was about to launch a final attack, but people in city were unwilling to give up. A woman named "Karkas" led an army to defend against resistance. Feed pig and throw pig off tower. The pig was thrown out and grain rolled on ground. Charlemagne was shocked, thinking that there was enough food and grass in city, he hastily ordered troops to be withdrawn. Mrs. Carcas ordered horn to be played to celebrate victory, and everyone shouted "Carcas sonne", "sonner" means sound of trumpets, etc., which Charlemagne heard and thought was name of city, which is transmitted to this day. Madame Kalka also became patroness of city, whose image is still engraved on city gates.
After entering upper gate, it is only inside first city wall. You can walk around city along left street, or you can enter second gate. The road between two city walls is wide and level, which is convenient for movement of carriages at high speed. A city tower rises through every second section of road, which is impressive.
Go through arched city gates, cross moat on wooden suspension bridge and enter ancient city. The narrow stone road in castle is uneven, and each street and house is provided with original drawings and photographs, allowing visitors to experience changes in history.
When you enter Carcassonne, you will feel that other castles can only be called "fortresses", and only here you can truly earn meaning of word "city". It is worth noting that although it is a world cultural heritage, there are no tickets for a large section from gate to castle, local residents still live in castle.
The castle has not only two layers of walls, but also two levels of fortresses. The main part is another small castle - Count's castle (Chateau Comtal), built in 1150 in Troncaville (Trencavel dynasty), and continued to add to it in subsequent centuries. This is not only main fortress of castle, but also headquarters of command during battle, to enter here you only need to buy tickets.
The pointed cap on tower was added during restoration of castle in 19th century, and a wooden corridor connecting tower is visible in courtyard.
The interior of Count's Castle is currently a small museum showing how mechanisms operate city gates, construction and changes of castle, etc. There are also cultural relics such as a knight's sarcophagus.
The original sculpture of Ms. Kalka has long since been weathered after years of erosion, and what you can see from outside is an exact replica.
At top of inner and outer city walls, there are trails for walking tourists, climbing which opens up a panoramic view of surrounding landscapes.
On south side of castle is Basilique St-Nazaire, built in 12th century. I was lucky to get acquainted with singing of choir, and sounds of nature penetrated into sound.
I came out of other gates of castle. The road down mountain was very steep. I can imagine that in age of edged weapons, storming a city must be very difficult. Perhaps foundations laid by ancient Romans were too strong. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this is most difficult lock in Europe to break open. Even during Hundred Years War between Britain and France, one of most successful British generals is Edward Black Prince (Edward Black Prince could only look at city and sigh, and retired to Bordeaux.
The famous French playwright Prosper mermee in his book "South of France" praised: "There is a city in France called Carcassonne, a barrier, Towers, ramparts, loopholes, watchtowers and plugs of vineyards, calming rivers and shady roads. It's so unusual and romantic..."
Tips:
1. Opening hours: whole castle is open 24 hours because it is inhabited, but count's castle opening hours: April to September: 9:30 to 18:30, October to March: 9:30 to 17:00 , entrance to castle one hour before closing time is not possible.
2.Tickets: Carcassonne Castle is free, you need to buy a separate ticket for 9 euros to visit inner city and inner city wall, and add 4 euros to automatic explainer.
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[Author: Desert Rose]
Travel experts from around world, travel experts, freelance writers and guest hosts. Alone, he has traveled to almost 50 countries and more than 200 cities on five continents.