Châteaux de Lastours

Châteaux de Lastours

The Châteaux de Lastours ( Occitan: Castel de Las gate ) are four castle ruins in the southern foothills of the Montagne Noire, above the river Orbiel in the heart of the Pays du Cabardès. The castles are located about two kilometers walk and 180 meters height difference from the place Lastours away. They are recognized as Monuments historiques since 1905.

History

In the 11th century the castle belonged to the Lords of Cabaret, a rather numerous family, who made a center of Albigensian movement from Lastours, but the last lord of the manor ( seigneur ) of Lastours, Pierre Roger de Cabaret, occurred during the Albigensian Crusade ( 1209-1229 ) his property without a fight to Simon de Montfort from; he died in 1229 or a few years later.

Architecture

The four (originally three) on an approximately 360 meter high ridge immediately adjacent castles ( châteaux ) are the attractions of the place. They date from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries; her walls are - built of rubble - with the exception of some well -hewn cornerstones.

Château de Cabaret

The Château de Cabaret was the ancestral seat of the once mighty lords of Cabaret and thus the most important of the castles of Lastours. Two towers and the outer walls of the residential tract ( Corps de Logis ) are still preserved. The military or residential tower ( donjon ) is pentagonal, in his upstairs is still a Gothic vault from non-profiled ribs get. The towers and the living quarters are connected by fortified walls ( curtain walls ); the parapet resting on great Gothic pointed arches.

Tour Régine

The Tour Régine said complex is likely only after the end of the Albigensian crusade (ie in 1260 ) was built and thus symbolizes the victory of the North French monarchy and Catholicism on the rebellious dissenters of the South. Its distinctive feature is a powerful, all-around provided with loopholes round tower, probably served as a residential tower, because in the upper area there is also a window - a Corps de Logis is not, however, available. In the floor next to the tower there is a cistern, was collected in the rainwater.

Château de Surdespine

The Château de Surdespine is get worst of all buildings. The foundations of a square donjon, parts of the residential tract and the remains of two cisterns are still recognizable. The complex did not have a round tower.

Château de Querthineux

The Château de Querthineux is on a separate crag on the right, that is the southern edge of the four castles. Its large round tower has a small lateral spiral staircase ( vis). In addition, there are still traces of a Romanesque church.

Castrum

On a hillside about 50 feet below the castles, the exposed in the 1980 and 1990 years archaeological site of a formerly more fortified hilltop settlements ( castra ) is located in the immediate vicinity of the castles.