Carcassonne stands as the largest fortified city in Europe and looks like a fairytale castle come to life. Although it sits in the south of France, its spires and walls have inspired stories and games around the entire world. Furthermore, the city has survived sieges, plagues, and even a demolition order to become a UNESCO World Heritage site. Consequently, the stone ramparts hide centuries of legends and secrets waiting to be discovered. Explore these fascinating details about the medieval jewel.
Carcassonne
According to legend, a pig saved the entire city. During a five-year siege by Charlemagne, the ruler Lady Carcas fed the last sack of wheat to the last pig and threw it over the walls. Strategically, this trick convinced the enemy that the city held so much food that they could waste it on livestock, causing the army to retreat.
The name “Carcassonne” supposedly comes from a victory celebration. After Charlemagne’s army began to leave, Lady Carcas rang all the town bells in triumph. A soldier exclaimed, “Carcas sonne!” which translates to “Carcas rings,” and the name stuck forever.
Historians almost destroyed the city in the 19th century. By 1849, the fortifications had fallen into such disrepair that the French government issued a decree to demolish them entirely. Fortunately, a local archaeologist and the author Prosper Mérimée campaigned successfully to save the monument.
A controversial architect restored the skyline. Eugène Viollet-le-Duc led the massive restoration project in 1853, but he added slate roofs to the towers instead of the historically accurate terracotta tiles. Consequently, purists criticized the “witch’s hat” roofs for looking more like northern French castles than southern fortresses.
The city features two concentric walls. Unusually, a gap known as “The Lices” separates the inner Roman wall from the outer medieval wall. This design allowed defenders to trap attackers in the killing zone between the two barriers if they breached the first gate.
It served as a primary filming location for Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman walked these ramparts, which stood in for Nottingham Castle. Therefore, the movie immortalized the city’s silhouette for a generation of film lovers.
The popular board game Carcassonne takes its name from the city. Designed by Klaus-Jürgen Wrede, the tile-laying game draws direct inspiration from the winding roads and fortified walls of the real location. Since its release in 2000, it has sold millions of copies worldwide.
The Inquisition used a specific tower for interrogations. The Tour de l’Inquisition served as a prison for those accused of heresy during the brutal crackdowns on the Cathars. Sadly, guards held prisoners here before judges sentenced them to burn at the stake.
Carcassonne holds a massive fireworks display every Bastille Day. On July 14th, the city sets the ramparts ablaze with a pyrotechnic show that makes the fortress look like it is burning down. Thousands of spectators gather on the banks of the Aude River to watch the spectacle.
Builders used Roman stones to construct the inner walls. If you look closely at the base of the fortifications, you can see layers of red brick mixed with stone. This distinct style marks the original Roman foundations that date back to the 3rd century.
A secret well sits hidden within the walls. Builders constructed the “Fount Celado” deep inside the western ramparts to provide water during sieges. Because it was so vital for survival, only a few trusted guards knew its exact location.
The basilica contains the “Siege Stone.” Inside the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, visitors can see a carving that depicts the famous siege of 1209. This artifact provides a contemporary view of the military tactics soldiers used against the Cathars.
The local government restricts vehicles in the medieval center during the day. To preserve the historic atmosphere, officials ban most cars within the walls. Thus, pedestrians can roam the cobblestone streets without dodging modern traffic.
It is actually two cities in one. The famous fortified “Cité” sits on the hill, while the “Bastide Saint-Louis” lies in the valley below. Historically, King Louis IX built the lower town to house the people whom the army expelled from the fortress during the rebellions.
Finally, Carcassonne attracts over four million visitors a year. Despite its small size, it ranks as one of the most visited monuments in France, rivaling the Eiffel Tower and Mont Saint-Michel. This popularity proves that the allure of the Middle Ages is still very much alive.
