Castelnou, Pyrénées-Orientales

Castelnou ( Catalan: Castellnou dels Aspres ) is a commune of the Pyrénées -Orientales in the Languedoc- Roussillon region. Administratively, it is assigned to the Canton Thuir and the district Perpignan.

The village is classified as one of the plus beaux villages de France ( most beautiful villages in France ).

• 4.1 Dorfkern
• 4.2 castle
• 4.3 Church
• 4.4 Watchtower

Geography

The southern French village with 360 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) is located not far from the Spanish border to the foothills of the Aspres 5 km west-southwest of Thuir and 18 kilometers south-west of Perpignan. It is located on a steep slope of a hill, which is dominated by a medieval castle with a watchtower. Traffic Technically developed is the place by the road department D48.

History

The castle was first mentioned in 1065 by de Castro novo.

The place name is derived from the Catalan Castellnou ( Occitan Castelnau ), itself from late Latin Castellu novu and thus means " new castle ".

The medieval town is mentioned for the first time the end of the 10th century and grew up within the castle. It was the seat of the Viscounts (Vice - Count ) of Castelnou. Within the fort there was also a chapel, which was dedicated to St. Peter. The Chapelle Saint- Pierre served until the end of the 12th century as a parish church. From the year 1091 it was upgraded by the Augustinian canons. Meanwhile, replaced by a new church, which came to rest outside the city walls, they had to make way for the expansion of the castle hall in the 14th century.

1268 Castelnou was besieged by James II of Majorca, and finally taken. In the early modern period happened in 1483 like when the Lord of Castelnou had to surrender to the advancing soldiers of the governor of Roussillon.

In the 17th century the castle was abandoned, and the village was divided by little, until it was abandoned in the 19th century almost. But the castle was bought end of the 19th century and a restoration, you actually have to call the reconstruction subjected. The recovery of tourism after the Second World War later moved new residents and guests to and from the ruins arose a new village.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms of the place corresponds to that of Vice - Count of Castelnou and is an expression of military preparedness: a silver castle on a red background, black brick, the castle gate open and transparent way to landscape.

Demographics

Viniculture

The municipality is part of the vineyard Côtes du Roussillon and may market its products under the appellation Cotes du Roussillon AOC. In addition, in Castelnou and in the region include the sweet wine Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC is made.

Attractions

Village core

The village center is a group along two parallel streets at different levels. These are the Carrer d' avall and Carrer del mig, which are connected by several flights of stairs. Noteworthy are the hemispherical ovens of the past, adorning the facades of some houses. Some residential buildings have on the underside of the eaves (on the Génoise ) ornaments made ​​of ceramic tiles. Quite a few houses also disclose amazingly beautiful and well-shaped bricks, which were probably removed from the fortress. Nevertheless, some parts of the bulwark are surprisingly well preserved. An example of this is flanked by two towers gate Porte de Millar in the north of the village.

Castle

The origins of the castle Château vicomtal dates back to the 10th century; without a doubt, the first fortifications were then created. It is noteworthy that even a naturally existing rock wall was built at the city walls, which form the courtyard. Throughout the 11th century, the Vice - Counts in Castelnou the dominant men in the region. In the 14th century the castle fell to the Kingdom of Mallorca. In the following centuries it often changed hands until it was finally abandoned. In the 18th century, when the fortification degenerated into ruin, took advantage of the last residents of the village their stones to build houses. After the integral restoration in the 19th century it has been modernized step by step by the new owner. However, the plant was destroyed by a fire in 1981 one more time. Once again renovated, it was opened to the public in 1990.

Church

The church Église Sainte- Marie du Mercadal, which is dedicated to the Mother of Jesus, and is first mentioned in 1259, was built outside the city walls. The second part of the name it owes the market, which had been established at this point. The church replaced the chapel of Saint- Pierre in the courtyard. The sacristy and bell tower are 18th century. The floor plan is simple: a nave, completed by a semi-circular apse. The interior comes mainly from the Baroque period. Noteworthy are the altarpiece of the high altar and the hinges of the door leaf from the romance.

Watchtower

On an adjacent rock, which is in the northwest of the village and the castle, stands a tower, which was an integral part of the fortification work. This cylindrical watch tower has been preserved in a good condition; he recalls in his form at the Torre del Far in Tautavel or to the Torre del Mir in Prats -de- Mollo -la- Preste.

• Château vicomtal
• Church Sainte- Marie du Mercadal
• Streets Scenery