Travel
Have you ever wondered how many historical puzzles were in fact just clever pranks people from other centuries organized for a bit of entertainment? Right now, a team of 50 people are building a Medieval castle in Burgundy, France, using the very same techniques and materials used in the Middle Ages. I can't stop but giggle at the thought that two thousand years from now somebody will pull his hairs trying to figure out why a 13th century castle was actually built in the 21st century.
Guédelon Castle is an ambitious archaeological project. It started back in 1997 and it will take at least 25 years to complete. The castle's design is based on the architectural canons laid down by Philip II Augustus, King of France, in the 12th and 13th centuries and the materials are the same ones people from Middle Ages used - wood, stone, earth, sand and clay. As it happened back then, work is very slow compared to modern methods. After all, there must be a good reason they haven't been employed in over 700 years.
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Travel
Guédelon Castle. The Medieval Castle Built In The 21st Century
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| Guédelon Castle from above |
Have you ever wondered how many historical puzzles were in fact just clever pranks people from other centuries organized for a bit of entertainment? Right now, a team of 50 people are building a Medieval castle in Burgundy, France, using the very same techniques and materials used in the Middle Ages. I can't stop but giggle at the thought that two thousand years from now somebody will pull his hairs trying to figure out why a 13th century castle was actually built in the 21st century.
Guédelon Castle is an ambitious archaeological project. It started back in 1997 and it will take at least 25 years to complete. The castle's design is based on the architectural canons laid down by Philip II Augustus, King of France, in the 12th and 13th centuries and the materials are the same ones people from Middle Ages used - wood, stone, earth, sand and clay. As it happened back then, work is very slow compared to modern methods. After all, there must be a good reason they haven't been employed in over 700 years.
When completed, the castle will have a moat, six impressive towers and battlements ready to repel any invaders foolhardy enough to lay a siege.
Erected just 2 hours South of Paris, in the French countryside, the site of the construction was chosen according to the availability of materials: an abandoned stone quarry, in a large forest, with a pond close by.
But even before completion, Guédelon Castle's faith is already sealed. The new old castle is already being invaded by tourists - about 300,000 every year. Beside having an interesting idea at core, the project has educational purposes too. And not only for the children.
Apart from using hundreds of years old techniques, raw materials and crafting every tool from scratch, the workers even wear medieval clothing. I find this fascinating. But apparently the reason for doing so is not merely to drag in the curious tourists, but it's a psychological mindset that determines the way we interact with our surroundings.
Though the architecture of the castle is pretty clear and has to be followed as such, the finishing is still a mystery. And what about the purpose of the castle once it is complete?
I've visited many French castles. Some of them impressed me lots. Others just brought sad tears in my eyes because of the profound decay in which they are left to end their existence. Most of them were sacked with the occasion of the French Revolution. It was the moment precious objects and furniture left the country never to return. In a country known for its majestic castles, Guédelon is the only one that is actually becoming something more by the day, not something less. History has some very sharp teeth.
Photos via Flickr Creative Commons
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- Once Upon A Time In The 13th Century!
We have a lot to see in the city of Olomouc, but yesterday we decided to head into the surrounding countryside for a day at Bouzov Castle, only about 35 kms (22 miles) away. They were having a special day at the castle, where everyone is dressed up in...
- Orebro Castle. Majestically Rising In The Middle Of A Modern City
Situated right in the middle of the town, the Orebro Castle majestically dominates the views. We arrived in Orebro on a very rainy day. The castle revealed itself to us just as a pretty unusual site. A moat surrounds the castle and the city...
- Photo Of The Week: Sand Castle
Sand castle by the beach in Valencia I was taking a walk on the beautiful promenade Valencia has by the sea the other day and I spotted this sand castle. Usually people build sand sculptures on the beach in summer, when there are more spectators around...
- 10 Most Magical Castles In Europe
Perhaps the most famous castles of all are the ones that never existed, like Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty's castles. Yet, our imagination is rooted in reality, and the fairy tale castles we all know and love have been inspired from real castles,...
- Photo Of The Week: Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle Neuschwanstein Castle, the castle that inspired Walt Disney when he designed Cinderella’s Castle, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany. Situated on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen...