Saissac

Saissac ( Occitan: Saissac ) is a commune with 924 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011 ) in the Aude department in the Languedoc- Roussillon region; it belongs to the district of Carcassonne and the Canton Saissac.

Location

Saissac lies at an altitude of 467 meters on a rocky ridge of Cabardès, the river Vernassonne and a right tributary have formed by a ravine. The village is located about 85 km ( driving distance ) south-east of Toulouse; the next largest cities are Carcassonne and Castelnaudary (each approximately 25 kilometers south-east or west ).

Demographics

Economy

In Saissac and its passing of forest and garrigueartigem shrubbery surrounding field crops could be operated only in a small degree; the focus of agricultural production therefore cattle and fruit orchards were (sheep, goats). The wool was - usually in winter - combed, spun and woven; the centuries acquired and developed skills - combined with existing sufficient water power - led in the 17th, 18th and 19th century to the emergence of several small textile firms in which fulled fabrics, woven and were stained.

History

The history of the former castrum is closely connected with a castle that is mentioned here in the year 960, and was then repeated conversion or rebuilt. Right at the beginning of the Albigensian Crusade (1209-1229) to Bouchard I de Marly took possession of the town and its castle, although it is not clear to date whether the Lords of Saissac in sympathy with the Cathars; a few years after his death ( 1226 ) she fell to Lambert de Thurey, one of his former comrades. In the early 16th century the castle was partly a by trading woad ( pastel) became rich family. In the years 1568 and 1580, during the Wars of Religion ( 1562-1598 ), the place was twice attacked by Protestant soldiers or guerrillas and partially destroyed; However, the castle proved to be vulnerable.

Attractions

• The huge area (about 40 × 120 meters) the ruins of the Château de Saissac is located on a rocky promontory at the southern end of town. The visible today remains date mainly from the 13th to 16th centuries. Although the building had fallen badly in the 18th century and was used in the French Revolution as a quarry, acquired in 1920, Henri Dupuy Mazel, a filmmaker and writer, the walls, and made a part of the building restored for residential purposes. After his death (1994 ) his heirs bequeathed the castle of the community Saissac. During the works a medieval coin hoard was discovered (2000 pence ) in 1997 in the old walls, had been searching for the middle of the 19th century. The Castle of Saissac is recognized as a monument historique since 1926.
• In the midst of present-day village still standing several medieval towers that were part of the fortification ( Ramparts ); the tour Lamoyne probably always served as a guard and church tower.
• Several coat of arms have received at Porte d' autan.
• The Maison Soldano called building originally dates from the 13th century, but has been rebuilt several times.
• The Hôtel de Saptes belonged in the 16th century, a rich cloth merchant family.
• The Musée des Vieux Métiers dedicated to ancient craft professions and displays the associated equipment.

Pictures

Water channel ( béal )

Tour Lamoyne