Carcassonne is essentially a castle that is also a city (La Cité de Carcassonne) around which the modern city, or Ville Basse, grew. … Construction continued into the reign of King Philip IV in the early 14th century.eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'historyhit_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_13',181,'0','0'])); In 1659, after the Treaty of the Pyrenees, the town lost its military significance. The town around the Cité is destroyed, and the citizens driven out. Cité de Carcassonne - J-A Brutails - Université Bordeaux Montaigne - 1750.jpg 4,054 × 2,689; 1.08 MB Cité de Carcassonne - J-A Brutails - Université Bordeaux Montaigne - 2108.jpg 4,072 × … Visiting La Cite de Carcassonne. Carcassonne History Une Ville, une Cité, une Histoire. In 1849 the French government decided that the city fortifications should be demolished. Founded during the Gallo-Roman period, the citadel derives its reputation from its 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) long double surrounding walls interspersed by 52 towers. It is huge and completely over-the-top, encompassing no less than 53 towers, strung together by two enormous concentric walls, surrounded by a moat, and punctuated here … Named a World Heritage Site in 1997, La Cité has a history spanning more than 2,000 years. Occupied since the 6th century BC, Carcassonne was a Roman city before being a medieval city. The imposing fortifications of the city of Carcassonne occupy a rocky outcrop that dominates the course of the Aude. In 1120, there is a second revolt, but Bernard Aton re-establishes order a few years later. Under the successive reigns of Louis IX, Philippe Le Hardi and Philippe Le Bel, it grew its modern-day shape. Update your browser to view this website correctly. The vicomte dies in his own chateau on 10 November 1209. The medieval citadel at Carcassonne, known as 'La Cité', dominates Languedoc's tourism map. During this prosperous period, Catharism grew rapidly. The largest former fortress in Europe, it has played a decisive role in the history of Languedoc. Raimond-Roger Trencavel surrenders quickly on the 15th of August in exchange for the lives of the citizens. As the Cité made its entry into the Royal Estate, its destiny took a new turn. However, with the help of Bertrand, Count of Toulouse, Bernard Aton regains control of the Cité. Is it a city or a castle? The new towers built during this work were mainly circular, but two were square. The streets located inside the citadel are a winding labyrinth of cobbled streets and winding alleyways, half the fun is … In 1096, the vicomte of Trencavel authorized the construction of the basilica of Saint-Nazaire with the blessing of Pope Urban II. By the 19th century, La Cité had turned into a miserable suburb, a poverty-stricken area outside the wealthy city of Carcassonne, and it almost got demolished. Located at the strategic intersection of two historic trade routes, from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and from Spain to the center of France, Carcassonne's defenses were strengthened by successive owners. La Cité was eventually left to fall into ruin. While we work as hard as we can to ensure the information provided here about Cité de Carcassonne is as accurate as possible, the changing nature of certain elements mean we can't absolutely guarantee that these details won't become a thing of the past. An Iron Age Oppidum transformed into a Roman town in the 1st Century BCE, the city-state became the possession of the powerful Then the Romans established a town there and built the ramparts around the 3rd century A.D. At that time, this small administrative and commercial centre was called Carcaso. The government later reversed its decision and in 1853 restoration work began. A new borough was born on the left bank in 1262: La Bastide Saint-Louis. The Roman defences were in place by 333 AD, when the town is described as a castellum. Visit the Medieval Cité de Carcassonne. Around 300 B.C., the Volques Tectosages brought the Iberians of Languedoc to submission. In 1067 Carcassonne became the property of Rai… Although the outer curtain wall of the cité is French, and the whole site has been substantially restored, the Château Comtal has a strong claim to be called a " Cathar Castle ". It was great to get up onto the ramparts (not open to the general public) and see other parts of the city that you can't normally see. A Brief History of the Cité of Carcassonne. In southern France’s Languedoc region, you will find La Cité de Carcassonne, a magnificent medieval walled city and one of France's most famous monuments. History and geography of the town of Carcassonne, France. It was under the dynasty of the Trencavels, from 1082 to 1209, that the town began to gain tremendous influence. The Medieval Cité lies within the modern city of Carcassonne in the Aude department, of which Carcassonne is the prefecture, in the former province of Languedoc. (0.03 mi) Auberge de Jeunesse Hi Carcassonne (0.03 mi) Hotel Dame Carcas (0.08 mi) La Posada del Castillo B&B (0.08 mi) Hotel de la Cite Carcassonne - MGallery Collection; View all hotels near Cathar Castles on Tripadvisor During this period, the inner, Roman walls were largely demolished and replaced, while the new outer walls were reinforced and extended to the south. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. From that time forth, the Cité becomes a royal domain. The Visigoths then became the masters of Spain and the Languedoc. La cité médiévale de Carcassonne peut témoigner de plus de 2.500 ans d’histoire. Cité de Carcassonne: Private Guided Tour Reviewed by Anne, 10/13/2019 There were a group of seven of us and we all thoroughly enjoyed our tour. Cité de Carcassonne attracts as many visitors each year as the more-famous Mont Saint-Michel. Founded during the Gallo-Roman period (1 st century BC – 5 th century AD), the Cité de Carcassonne is a spectacular medieval citadel located in the French city of Carcassonne.. The citadel was restored at the end of the 19th century and in 1997 it was added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. In the spring of 725, the Saracens took the Cité. This decision was strongly opposed by the local people. In 760, Pippin was unable to take Carcassonne, although he was able to most of the south of France. The Cité de Carcassonne is a medieval citadel located in the French city of Carcassonne, on a hill on the overlooking the River Aude. The oldest traces of man - 6th century B.C.- were found on the promontory where the Cité lies. ... Simon de Montfort, then to the King of France in 1224. A visit to this town would not be complete without a visit to La Cité itself. On the summit of an isolated hill rearing abruptly on the Aude’s right bank, the site of the Cité was occupied as early as the 5th century bce by the Iberians, then by Gallo-Romans. The town was finally annexed to the kingdom of France in 1247 A.D. Named a World Heritage Site in 1997, Cité de Carcassonne has a history spanning more than 2,000 years. History Hit brings you the stories that shaped the world through our award winning podcast network and an online history channel. Carcassonne (Occitan: Carcassona) is a fortified French town, in the Aude département, Occitanie region.It is separated into the fortified Cité de Carcassonne and the more expansive lower city, the ville basse.. Update my browser now. Thousands of people today are able to see and admire the most accomplished fortified town in Europe. From dawn to glory. He cedes it to Louis VIII of France, but Raymond VII of Toulouse and the counts of Foix ally themselves against him. It is full of history and legends. After the death of Charlemagne, the dismembering of the Empire gave birth to the feudal system. During this period, a new sect known as Catharism sprang up in Languedoc. Jean-Pierre Cros-Mayrevieille and Prosper Mérimée, an eminent archaeologist and historian, led a campaign to preserve the fortress as a historical monument. History buffs will love visiting la Cité de Carcassonne, France. A period of terror ensues, with numerous massacres and the Inquisition. Only through the joint efforts of Jean-Pierre Cros-Mayrevieille, a historian and a citizen of Carcassonne, of Mérimée and the famous architect Viollet-le-Duc was it saved from demolition. In 1130, he starts construction of a palace for himself and restoration of the Gallo-Roman fortifications. The town has about 2,500 years of history and has seen the Romans, Visigoths, Saracens and Crusaders. But due to the use of new war techniques (gunpowder, cannon) and above all to the recession of the Franco-Spanish border in 1659 after the Peace of the Pyrénées, it was gradually abandoned. Of course, the main reason to visit Carcassonne is for its stunning medieval cité. Le cité de Carcassonne – by Emile Roumens at Musée des Beaux-Arts de Carcassonne. Cite de Carcassonne castle – City or Castle? Home Carcassonne Carcassonne Cité History of the cité de Carcassonne An open-air book which tells the story of a thousand years of history You can turn the pages from the Romans to Viollet-Le-Duc, the 19th century, romantic saviour of a ruined monument. But first things first. This bastide, which was thoroughly restored from 1853 by the theorist and architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997. Château et remparts de la cité de Carcassonne In Cathar country, at the heart of the fortified city, discover the château of the Counts of Carcassonne and the ramparts, a UNESCO World Heritage site. He suffered the first impact of the crusade preached by Pope Innocent III and on August 15th, 1209, after a two-week siege, it was all over. It is the largest citadel with walls still completely intact. The Cité and the lands of Trencavel were first handed to the military commander of the crusade, Simon de Montfort, then to the King of France in 1224. About Cité de Carcassonne. In 1224, Raimond II Trencavel retakes the Cité. Fortifications were abandoned and the town became one of the economic centres of France. The oldest traces of man - 6th century B.C.- were found on the promontory where the Cité lies. Romans fortified the hilltop of Carcassonne around 100 BC and eventually made it the colonia of Julia Carsaco, later Carcasum. 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