Puilaurens Castle
| Puilaurens Castle | ||
|---|---|---|
 Puilaurens castle ruins |
||
| Alternative name (s): | Château de Puilaurens | |
| Castle type : | Höhenburg, rocky location | |
| Conservation status: | ruin | |
| Place: | Lapradelle-Puilaurens | |
| Geographical location | 42 ° 48 '13.5 " N , 2 ° 17' 58" E | |
|
||
The castle Puilaurens is the ruins of a fortification in southern France. It is located in the commune of Puilaurens in the Aude department . The rock castle stands on a cliff above the Boulzan valley .
history
As part of the Aragonese kingdom , the castle was outside the area that was devastated by the Crusaders during the Albigensian Crusade . Like the Quéribus Castle , it served as a retreat for people who fled from the Crusaders, that is, Cathars and so-called “forfeited”, people who had lost their property through their resistance against the Crusaders. Among them were many high-ranking personalities, such as Guillaume de Peyrepertuse .
Puilaurens was ceded to the French at an unknown date before 1255. In 1258, ownership was confirmed by the French crown in the Treaty of Corbeil and the border of the Crown Aragon was moved south.
In the 13th century the complex belonged to the Fenouillet family. Until the end of the Crusades , under Pierre Catala and Guillaume de Peyrepertuse, it withstood all attacks by the Crusaders under Simon IV. De Montfort . After Pierre's death, his son Roger Catala became the new owner. The last in command was Chabert de Barbaira , who was the last to defend the Cathars and surrender at the same time as Quéribus.
The castle was captured by Spanish troops in 1635. It lost its strategic importance in 1659 with the Peace of the Pyrenees . The border between Spain and France was moved to the ridge of the Pyrenees , where it still runs today. Having become insignificant, the castle was abandoned in the 17th century. Since 1902 it has been under monument protection as Monument historique .
Military facility
Puilaurens is the prime example of a military fortress that has been rebuilt and strengthened over the centuries. It was not easy to attack this castle by surprise, because huge rock walls forced the attacker to approach their target within range of projectiles. To make matters worse, the last part of the access path was zigzagged. If he could get to the fortified gate, arrows awaited him, fired through hidden loopholes . The first courtyard, surrounded by the wall, protected a second, even more strongly fortified, rampart. The square keep towers over the entire fortification. In the southwest, the well-preserved tower of the white lady watches over the access routes and their obstacles. A special feature is the voice transmission shaft drilled into the wall, which enabled communication over two floors.
Legends about the castle
A legend tells that the so-called “ White Lady ”, great niece of Philip the Fair , comes on dull nights and lets her veils of fog roll over the walk around the demolished fortress wall.
Web links
- Official website (French)
- Information about the castle ruins (German)