|
Overview:
Carcassonne, France, No matter which
direction you are coming from, you can’t miss the imposing
silhouette of the City of Carcassonne which is encircled by a
huge double row of fortified walls that run almost 2 miles long,
accentuated by 56 watchtowers. During the 9th and 10th centuries
B.C., the village of Carcas was already a very large and active
agglomeration, about a mile south of Carcassonne. Its
inhabitants migrated to the present location of Carcassonne
around 600 B.C. At that time, the common way to protect a city
was to dig a large moat and build a very tall reinforced wood
fence all around it. The 3rd century A.D. was a particularly
unstable period that saw incessant Barbarian invasions. This is
when Carcassonne decided to update its defense mechanisms and
solidify its ramparts, building the fortified walls that we can
still admire today.
Parts of this
enchanting medieval fortress are over 1400 years old, though
much of it was restored a century ago. Carcassonne is a
beautiful example of military architecture and offers attractive
views of the surrounding plains and nearby mountains. Behind the
double walls and innumerable towers is an entire village with a
well-fortified castle and the lovely St-Nazaire Church. La Cité,
as the fortress is called locally, is a UNESCO World Heritage
Site.
Visiting
one country? Individual Country Passes offer convenience and
affordable travel options.
Use the Rail
Saver tool to help choose the right pass for your
trip.
|
