The citadel of Carcassonne is a perfectly restored medieval town, and protected by UNESCO. It crowns a steep bank above the river Aude, a fairy-tale sight of turrets and ramparts overlooking the Basse Ville below.
The strategic position of the citadel between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean and on the corridor between the Iberian peninsula and the rest of Europe led to its original settlement, consolidated by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. It became a key element in medieval military conflicts.
At its zenith in the 12th century, it was ruled by the Trencavels who built the château and cathedral. The Cathars were given sanctuary here in 1209 by Raymond-Roger Trencavel when besieged by Simon de Montfort in his crusade against heresy.
In the 14th century the Inquisition continued to root out the Cathars.
This is a bust of Madame Carcas. Legend has it that during the Charlemagne siege in the 9th century, Mme Carcas used the last of the city's wheat to feed the last remaining pig, then she threw him over the rampart in full view of the invading army, his guts displayed for all to see. When they saw that she could afford to feed a pig so well, they figured there must be enough food to keep the people inside fed for years, so they left. Once they had retreated, Mme Carcas rang (sonne) the bells in celebration, and the name of the town became Carcassonne.
So much fun walking these streets since there were sword makers, lots of needlework pieces, art of every kind.
K is for knight, and for Karl who loved these reproductions!
With this calendar, you can tell the time of day and the date.
No comments:
Post a Comment