In the South of France is the town of Carcassonne, a medieval town that has a lot of history and that allows you to enjoy a trip back in time.
In the South of France we find a medieval town which is one of the best known and most visited in the country. Carcassonne is a small town that has a citadel, authentic engine of tourism in the city and that treasures places that are worth knowing and discovering to feel part of its history. Let’s take a look at what what to see in Carcassonne and that should not be forgotten when visiting the citadel.
A little history
Carcassonne occupies the place where it stands for a long time. There are already signs of a population in the sixth century BC, which has grown to become the city it is today. The citadel had its moment of splendor during wars against the cathars, in the thirteenth century. At that time, it fell under the control of the French royalty in 1247. There is much to tell about the city, but the best way to discover it is to go to this French city and walk its streets.
The citadel of Carcassonne
The citadel is inhabited by about 50 people today. It can be accessed freely and has two entrances. The most used is Narbonne gate. The main parking lots for cars and buses are located in this area. From it you can access the outer wall and from it, to the streets of the same.
The outer walls protected the citadel from attack and It has 14 circular towers.. These do not have a roof, since they are prepared to be attacked from the inner fortress if they fall into the power of the enemies. Between the outer and inner walls there is a space that served as a defensive measure. In that place the houses of the less favored inhabitants of the city were erected, but these were eliminated several hundred years ago.
The inner walls have 38 defensive towers. These are shaped like a horseshoe and offered an important barrier against those who tried to invade the fortress. Total there are 3 kilometers of wallsbetween the exteriors and the interiors. Another essential place to visit is the castle of Carcassonne.
The entrance to the castle has to be bought and it is better to book in advance to avoid running out when we go to visit the city. There are six rooms open to the public and you can admire things like a model of the citadel, the altarpiece of the Passion, the room of the arches and many architectural and artistic elements from the 13th century.
The castle and the Paseo de Ronda are complemented by other points of interest. Between the two walls medieval shows are heldwith the staging of medieval jousting. In addition, at the entrance to the citadel there is an interesting cemetery that houses very curious tombs and where photography enthusiasts stop for a long time to take pictures of them.
Carcassonne is one of the most visited towns in the South of France and a good destination to visit on a short break in the neighboring country. It can be done in a weekend and we will take some indelible memories of one of the most important historical points of France.
