There is no such place on the Earth as Carcassonne where you can learn the history of fortifications. The city located on southern France at the Languedoc department on the crossroad which links Mediterranean Sea with Atlantic Ocean and Spain with France.
First who recognized the strategic location of Carcassonne were Romans. The Roman province of Narbonne was founded at 118 BC. Between 40 and 33 BC they founded Carcassonne and named the city as Julia Carsaco (I’m not sure, but seems that they named the city on behalf of Julius Caesar).
Then in Carcassonne was situated the residence of roman official who ruled the region.
Of course, Romans at once fortified the city but then was a peaceful time for them. They dominated over the Europe and no one dared to start the war with them. Therefore fortifications in Carcassonne served rather as a decoration of the city.
In 3 BC, with the start of roman power decline, situation changed. Different tribes crossed the borders of Roman Empire, attacked and sacked the cities, villages and villas. Roman legions were unable to save vast territory of Empire and people felt the smell of hazard in their homes. To protect themselves they built fortifications around their cities.
Then around of Carcassonne was built the circle of defensive walls with towers.
The Roman fortifications of Carcassonne consisted from the walls with the classical roman towers and four gates.
In 406 Western Roman Empire fell. Carcassonne has been occupied by the Visigoths. During a long time historians thought that fortifications around the city were built by the Visigoths. But it’s not true. In the 5 century Visigoths were the nomads and didn’t have any building experience. They simple adjusted the buildings for their needs and called the local masters to support fortifications in the good conditions.
The Kingdom of Visigoths fell in the beginning of the 8 century under the blows of the Saracen swords. They occupied Carcassonne and held the city for the few next centuries.
Btw, there is a legend about the name of “Carcassonne” related with the Saracens. According this legend Carcassonne one day was besieged by the troops of the Charles the Great. The city’s defenders suffered from the starvation and were ready to surrender. But among them was a woman with name “Carcass” who proposed to cast from the city’s wall the pork.
Once they did it Charles decided that they have enough of supplies to withstand the siege and since he suffered from the lack of the provision as well he retreated from the city.
Carcassonne – Duke’s residence
In the middle of the 12 century Carcassonne became the Duke’s residence. The castle has been rebuilt in 1130-1150 years, and counted as the most advanced and modern fortifications for those times.
The architect saved the Romans plans of the citadel but applied modern knowledge about the art of war. Western part of the Carcassonne was left without changes.
The castle was encircled by the walls with jags and ditch with the water. Most important towers of the Carcassonne are – Sent Pol which protects the southern part of the city, two towers near the eastern gate, and two towers which protect the northern part of the city.
The main entrance to the city is protected by the two joined towers with a lot of loopholes. Also entrance is protected by the grill and the massive door. After the door there is another grill. To avoid the betrayal between the guards the grills are managed separately.
The loopholes of Carcassonne are planned thus to give to archers the possibility to run fire on all area near gates and walls. Also the defenders of the towers of Carcassonne in the case of breaking the walls could fight independently.
French Carcassonne
Carcassonne was not under the French rule at the beginning. It a little bit complicated. French kings had some level of protectionism under the Languedoc but the local dukes always had some level of independence.
I don’t want to describe here how the Languedoc became the part of
French kingdom. You can read about for example at the Wikipedia. I only want to mention that Carcassonne was joined to the French during the reign of Philipp the Beautiful.
Since Carcassonne served as main military base for the French on the south. French kings continued to fortify the citadel and the city counted as unapproachable.
I will give you a little example about the strength of Carcassonne.
During the war between France and England when “Black Prince” with his army approached the city he was so impressed by it so he decided not to storm Carcassonne and retreated from the city’s walls.
Carcassonne began to loose its importance as the military citadel with invention of the artillery. In the Renaissance times it was used only as military depot. By then people left the citadel and settled nearby, in the “modern” part of the city. The castle even lay in ruins for some period. And local authorities even had the plans to demolish them. But thanks to the local enthusiasts they changed their plans.
In 1997 the medieval ensemble of the Carcassonne was included into UNESCO list.
Carcassonne Cathedral
It’s worth mentioning Carcassonne Cathedral which originates from the time of Louis 11. It’s good example of the Gothic architecture. Cathedral located in the center of the city and could be viewed from the Duke’s castle. For me the most impressing thing in the Cathedral was its stained-windows.
Duke’s Castle
Another monumental sight in Carcassonne – it’s Duke’s castle which was built in 1130. Today inside the castle situated a museum so you need to buy a ticket to enter inside.
Duke’s castle could be called as citadel inside of another citadel. Even if the city would be captured by the enemy the garrison of castle could withstand the siege for some time. After the visiting the rooms of the museum you can walk on walls of the castle and make nice photos of the Carcassonne.
Travel tips
If you go to the restaurant in the city be careful. The waiters in the local restaurants sometime try to cheat their clients. Most common trick – is to “forget” to bring one of the dishes.
