Carcassonne Castle, France: Fortress Ruined & Reborn
Legend tells how Carcassonne got its name: Charlemagne was besieging the city. The citizens were starving and near surrender. Then a clever lady, Madame Carcas, had an idea. The citizens stuffed a fat pig with the last grain and heaved it over the wall. The besieging army, amazed and frustrated, went home. Madame Carcas then rang, or sonned, the bells in celebration. Charlemagne was defeated, the city was saved, and Carcassonne got its name, all at one stroke.
Etienne Boucher
Adrian Santos
Joel Mann
But Carcassonne’s walls were no match for the ravages of time and neglect. In 1849, the government decided to demolish it. The people rallied to its defense, the castle was saved, and a great restoration project was begun. Today, Carcassone keeps vigilant watch over its town and welcomes the siege of money-wielding tourists.
Hien Le
Vadim Kurland
Zuma Key
Hagen Graf
Kathleen Tyler
Adrian Santos
Gustavo Maximo
Morten Johannes Ervik
Zuma Key
Henri Sivonen
Fran West
Hien Le
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Tags: castles, europe, France, medieval
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