According to Laura-Lyn, Carcassonne marks the first site (sight?) of the next phase of our trip – the ruins and antiquities phase. We are in Carcassonne (link to Google Map showing Carcassonne) to visit what is alleged to be a near perfectly intact (subsequent to restoration) medieval city. As LL has pointed out, the castle is in such good shape that Kevin Costner chose it as the site of his remake of Robin Hood.
Without the right lens it is hard to get a picture that does the medieval old city part of Carcassonne justice. This one of LL’s was as close as we got to such a picture.
This somewhat blurry text tells the story of the restoration of Carcassonne which started in 1844 and took more than 50 years.
This is a picture of the front gate of the city. A plaque nearby described why the entry road was not straight – to make it more difficult for enemies to enter the city should it be attacked. Makes sense.
This was a Roman architecture contribution to the design of the city and its fortifications. Its not easy to see from this photo, but the outward facing side is shaped in an arch.
Inside the old city is quite touristy and has a number of theme stores and food outlets of all kind. This store of medieval weapons was a store that Allister took considerable interest.
We took a number of photos of this crossbow – the idea being to copy its design and build one of our own when we get home.
This was a store that Charlotte and I took considerable interest – a shop that sold nothing but cookies
We don’t look too cold in this picture; but there was a cold wind blowing and were glad a visit to Carcassonne involved lots of displays shielded from the wind by at least stone walls.
This gives a small idea of the intensity of tourism development inside the old city walls. Presumably such places are much more crowded during the high season.
This photo tries to give an idea of the scale of structures inside the old city walls.
The stained glass window from the Carcassonne cathedral. LL did well to get this good a picture under difficult lighting conditions.
