Château de Lavardin

P3

Castle Lavardin

The castle ruins Lavardin (French: Château de Lavardin ) stands on a rocky plateau on the left bank of the Loire to the French village of Lavardin southeast of Montoire- sur -le- Loir département of Loir- et- Cher, Centre region.

Although repeatedly besieged and conquered during the French Wars of Religion, the castle was not damaged. That she is now in ruins, is located near the French King Henry IV, who tore it down in the 16th century, to make them militarily useless command.

Since 21 November 1945, the facility is classified as a monument historique and thus is a protected monument.

Description

The spur castle formerly owned three circular walls, The illustrative very well the different expansion phases of the plant. Get them are nowadays only the inner and outer perimeter. Shape and course of the outer ring wall are based on the floor plan of the rocky castle square and thus the natural conditions on site. A so-called Châtelet - a strongly fortified gatehouse - protected her castle gate, to the previously led a drawbridge. Behind the castle gate is a large courtyard, which was formerly divided by the mean ring wall in two games. The mean wall has vanished, but still exist remains of a wall and a tower building ruins from the 15th century. From the interior of the building is a part of the stone staircase is still preserved. Can be found on her the coat of arms of the House Vendôme and testify that the castle Lavardin in the Middle Ages was the property of this French noble house.

The 26 meter high Donjonruine is surrounded by a cladding wall that forms the inner ring wall today. His strong damages are due to mine explosions during the 16th century. The remains of walls obtained have numerous Machicolation. Preserved remains of fireplaces and ogival vaults inside testify to its former livability.

History

The castle was founded in the 10th century and initially consisted probably of wood and clay, before it was replaced in 1070 by a stone building. Construction work on, including those for the construction of the current, lower part of the keep lasted five decades. Over the next four centuries, the plant was repeatedly adjusted by their respective owners military state of affairs.

Towards the end of the 12th century completed the Count of Vendôme the Donjon by round towers at the corners. It also strengthened the ramparts and built a first annular wall. The castle took over because of their location between the territories of the French empire of the Capetians and the possessions of the Counts of Anjou an important role as the main stronghold of the Lords of Vendôme. During this time the castle had whether its military elements the reputation of invincibility, but this Henry II Plantagenet and his son Richard the Lionheart did not stop them from, they lay siege to 1188 after taking Troo and Montoire, but in vain.

In the 13th century have increased for the first time, the Donjon was renewed and increased the late 14th century and modernized its interior. Today inner ring wall - - ​​In addition, the former mantle wall was a fortified gatehouse. Below the keep stood at that time on two natural, protected by a ring wall platforms and a living area including various outbuildings. Further gains were made in the 15th century, when attached to the central ring wall from inside a building and the lateral wall of the keep was again widened.

During the Wars of the castle Lavardin did not share the fate of so many other French castles. Although repeatedly conquered, occupied and reconquered the castle was preserved from destruction. Taken in 1589 by the Catholic League, it was conquered and occupied by the Protestant side, but recaptured a year later by the troops of the Prince of Conti for Catholics again, taken only in the following year by troops of the French King Henry IV re- to become. By Royal Command was Heinrich grind the castle, to make them militarily useless for all. In this entwehrten state the system is today.