Fortress Of Carcassonne, a photo from Languedoc-Roussillon, South

Photographer's Note

History

First signs of settlement in this region have been dated to about 3500 BC, but the hill site of Carsac – a Celtic place-name that has been retained at other sites in the south – became an important trading place in the 6th century BC. The Volcae Tectosages fortified the oppidum.

Carcassonne became strategically identified when Romans fortified the hilltop around 100 BC and eventually made it the colonia of Julia Carsaco, later Carcasum (by the process of swapping consonants known as metathesis). The main part of the lower courses of the northern ramparts dates from Gallo-Roman times. In 462 the Romans officially ceded Septimania to the Visigothic king Theodoric II who had held Carcassonne since 453; he built more fortifications at Carcassonne, which was a frontier post on the northern marches: traces of them still stand. Theodoric is thought to have begun the predecessor of the basilica that is now dedicated to Saint Nazaire. In 508 the Visigoths successfully foiled attacks by the Frankish king Clovis. Saracens from Barcelona took Carcassonne in 725, but King Pepin the Short (Pépin le Bref) drove them away in 759-60; though he took most of the south of France, he was unable to penetrate the impregnable fortress of Carcassonne.

A medieval fiefdom, the county of Carcassonne, controlled the city and its environs. It was often united with the County of Razès. The origins of Carcassonne as a county probably lie in local representatives of the Visigoths, but the first count known by name is Bello of the time of Charlemagne. Bello founded a dynasty, the Bellonids, which would rule many honores in Septimania and Catalonia for three centuries
In 1067, Carcassonne became the property of Raimond Bernard Trencavel, viscount of Albi and Nîmes, through his marriage with Ermengard, sister of the last count of Carcassonne. In the following centuries, the Trencavel family allied in succession either with the counts of Barcelona or of Toulouse. They built the Château Comtal and the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire. In 1096, Pope Urban II blessed the foundation stones of the new cathedral, a Catholic bastion against the Cathars.

Carcassonne became famous in its role in the Albigensian Crusades, when the city was a stronghold of Occitan Cathars. In August 1209 the crusading army of Simon de Montfort forced its citizens to surrender. Raymond-Roger de Trencavel was imprisoned whilst negotiating his city's surrender, held in his own dungeon and allowed to die. Montfort was appointed the new viscount. He added to the fortifications. Carcassonne became a border citadel between France and the kingdom of Aragon (Spain).

In 1240, Trencavel's son tried to reconquer his old domain but in vain. The city submitted to the rule of the kingdom of France in 1247, and King Louis IX founded the new part of the town across the river. He and his successor Philip III built the outer ramparts. Contemporary opinion still considered the fortress impregnable. During the Hundred Years' War, Edward the Black Prince failed to take the city in 1355, although his troops destroyed the Lower Town.

In 1659, the Treaty of the Pyrenees transferred the border province of Roussillon to France, and Carcassonne's military significance was reduced. Fortifications were abandoned, and the city became mainly an economic centre that concentrated on the woollen textile industry, for which a 1723 source quoted by Fernand Braudel found it "the manufacturing centre of Languedoc".

(from Wikipedia)

macjake, bukitgolfb301, Highmountains, delpeoples, jjcordier, papagolf21, tedesse, pajaran, jlbrthnn, aliabazari, raszid62, s_lush, vasilpro, baddori, fabbs99 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

cebe (1139) 2012-10-10 18:17

Hi Barbara. That's where I met my wife, and one can say that the very first steps I made beside her as partner, although just travelling partner then, is crossing that bridge when we left Carcassonne heading for Spain, hitch-hiking through Andorra. Nice sharp photo, shows very well that door and the beautiful surrounding towers, pleasant symmetry. And again, special memories for me.
Best regards, Claude.

macjake (39235) 2012-10-10 19:06

Hi Barbara
with this subject, I was sure this photo was taken by our TE friend Joel in the south of France :)
talk about an imposing view.
the fortress hits the viewer right in the face!
excellent choice of POV to make the biggest visual impact.
well done
cheers
craig

bukitgolfb301 (30111) 2012-10-10 21:13

Hi dear Barbara

Impresive shot with much power and energy.
Simple framework makes so dynamic image.
Nive and tasteful color touch.
Thank you very much for your finest shot and have a good day!

Takero from Tokyo

Alco (4641) 2012-10-10 21:16

Hello Barbara,
Beautiful composition and point of view of that entrance.The sharpness of your picture is amazing.Very impressive fortress.TFS.
Have a nice Thursday.
Alain

delpeoples (45018) 2012-10-10 22:07

Salut cher Barb

I was wondering whether you made it to Carcassone, a definite location on my own Bucket List. So until I get there, I'm very happy to view your photos in the meantime. Excellent perspective with the gangway splaying from the corners and guiding the eyes towards the gate. The sandstone colours are magical and I like how you've picked up all those beautiful textures in the stonework. Beautiful shot with great perspective. Thanks for sharing.

Bonne amitiés, as the French say
Lisa

jjcordier (62394) 2012-10-10 22:15

Barbara
Une bonne photo de cette impressionnante porte d'entrée de la Cité de Carcassonne.
Amicalement
JJ

Highmountains (1834) 2012-10-10 23:08

Great balance in Composition. The photograph has outstanding clarity and sharpness. The old brickwork on the huge walls are fantastic. The black tiled roof has depth and the conical tops of the watch tower conforms to and heightens the balance of the photograph. The path that leads to the fort is sufficiently exposed to enhance the antiquity of the place.
Thanks for sharing.

Fis2 (73146) 2012-10-11 0:17

Witaj Basiu!
Takie klimaty lubie.
Piekna budowla.
LAdny kadr i kolody.
Most ciekawie prowadzi wzrok.
Super kolory i ostrosc.
Milego dnia
Krzysztof

papagolf21 (76611) 2012-10-11 1:10

Bonjour, chère Barbara,
Excellent choix de cadrage pour valoriser cette entrée fortifiée.
Cela donne tout de suite le ton de cette architecture médiévale.
Très belle présentation.
Amitiés.
Philippe

Silvio1953 (98259) 2012-10-11 1:43

Ciao Barbara, fantastic perspective on fascinating fortress, excellent clarity, wonderful colors and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

tedesse (22134) 2012-10-11 2:07

Witaj!
Piekna brama, piekne baszty i piekny most prowadzacy do twierdzy Carcassonne. Super kadr, ladne kolory, doskonala ostrosc i ciekawa notka.
Pozdrawiam
Tadeusz

lousat (57724) 2012-10-11 4:03

Hi Barbara,a perfect postcard whit a spectacular simmetry and and a magnificent light on the walls,super colors and perfect details too.Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

cornejo (18130) 2012-10-11 4:11

Hi Barbara, very good and interesting picture of the entrance to the castle flanked by these high bulwarks, in the beautiful and interesting cité of Carcassonne. Pretty interesting and very good image captured with good sharpness. Good job well done my friend, my congratulations. Tfs.

Good afternoon and happy weekend.
Best regards and best wishes.
Angel.

pajaran (36282) 2012-10-11 4:50

Pozdrav.
Vrlo interesantan i dobar tekst, i istorija ...
Lep pogled na kapiju i kule starog grada.
Dobra ostrina i kontrast, lepe boje.
Dobar rad i kompozicija.
Lepa tvrdjava.
Sve najbolje.
Paja.

Greetings.
Very interesting and good text, and history ...
A beautiful view of the towers and gates of the old city.
Good sharpness and contrast, beautiful color.
Good work and composition.
Beautiful fortress.
All the best.
Paja.

Bluejeans (64239) 2012-10-11 5:37

Ola Barbara ,
Gostei desta tua foto vertical com este enorme castelo , tem uma bela muralha de pedra castanha , boa profundidade de foto com esta ponte , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

sabermonajati (7603) 2012-10-11 6:30

hi
splendid view from facade you captured.and note is very interesting.
regard
saber

Nicou (97811) 2012-10-11 6:46

Hello

quel captage centré de cette forteresse sueprb eiamge avec ces belles tours rondes, avec le contraste de l'amenée et ce mur en longeur, fantastique iamge.
Bravo et amitié

Nicou

jlbrthnn (79773) 2012-10-11 6:55

Hello Barbara,
It is not easy to photograph the medieval city of Carcassonne. You managed a nice shot of this fortified gate. The sharpness is good, the texture of the walls is very visible. Good quality. Bravo.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

aliabazari (10105) 2012-10-11 10:13

Hello dear Barbara.
The castle is very beautiful and attractive components. And exposure stunning resolution. I love you. You are very good images of the Board.
Thanks for the good record.

boa (4313) 2012-10-11 10:40

Hi Barbara,
impressive architecture, built to last almost forever. I guess this was an interesting place to visit and admire this impressive gate? Excellent symmetry, light and note, Tfs!
Have a nice evening.
Boa

raszid62 (18216) 2012-10-11 11:11

Cze¶æ
Odwiedzi³em niegdy¶ to wspania³e ¶redniowieczne miasto. Faktycznie mo¿na mieæ wra¿enie przeniesienia w czasie, w czasy rycerzy i dam dworu.Wspaniale pokaza³a¶ t± bramê, ¶wietna symetryczna kompozycja w doskona³ej jako¶ci.
Pozdrawiam.
Józek

JFS (32189) 2012-10-12 0:07

Impressive walls, impressive place, lately i've been twice and the weather was always coudy and rainy...Your note is very interesting. Thanks Barbara!

jemaflor (69035) 2012-10-12 2:22

Hi Barbara,
Well presented, good angle and symetry with the bridge in the fg, perfect sharpness to show this fortress.

thebest (3370) 2012-10-12 4:40

Hi Barbara,

These magnificent fortresses are amazing constructions for their time the brickwork is incredible & sadly in need of restoration in parts - the clarity of this photo is very good capturing the beautiful colours of the bricks - I find the notes extremely interesting - great work Barbara.

Kindest regards,
Dawn.

GREGG (8243) 2012-10-12 7:06

Witaj, ładny ciasny kadr
potęguje walory tej starej budowli,
dobra robota,
Grzegorz

Didi (48938) 2012-10-12 9:21

Hi Barbara
I was close to Carcassonne in last september.
Nice view on the castle gate.
It's possible for you to use ShiftN software to coorect the verticals. Very easy.
Best regards

mesutilgim (68036) 2012-10-12 10:51

Hello Barbara,
Very nice capture of this medieval fortress with the citygate.
Good symmetrical layout and perfect format.
Many interesting notes makes it a perfect TE entry.
TFS and have a nice weekend with much light !
Best regards
MESUT ILGIM

SWEETFREEDOM (18423) 2012-10-12 11:32

Hi Barbara,
i have seen this old town and i liked it very much. good p.o.v. i like the simmetry of the towers, colors sharpness and p.o.v.
regards
Alessandro

mkamionka (24583) 2012-10-12 13:24

Czesc Barbara,
slyszalem juz o tym niezwyklym miejscu ale nie mialem okazji nawet zbyt wielu zdjec stamtad ogladac. Bardzo interesujaca brama zapowiedz super ciekawego miasta. Ladna centralna symetria. Oryginalny ksztalt wiezyczek. Z ciekawoscia czekam na wiecej :)
M

Cricri (86535) 2012-10-13 10:23

Hi Barbara
Vous visiter de belles régions de la France....j'aime la perspective du chemin qui conduit vers cette petite porte, excellent détails des pierres et de l'architecture, belle présentation
Belle soirée
cricri

s_lush (15592) 2012-10-13 13:45

Hello Barbara,
You have captured magnificent architecture and great perspective of this bridge leading us to the entrance of the fortress. A very favorable point of view, good diffused light, nice colors and absolutely perfect quality of the image!
Best regards,
Sergiy

vasilpro (40194) 2012-10-16 2:23

Hello Barbara,
Wonderful composition with that interesting castle excellent POV, I like the symmetry and the texture on the stone walls, TfS!
Greetings from Greece, Vasilis.

baddori (18988) 2012-10-19 23:31

Barbara
Foto classica, e ottimamente interpretata.
I colori vivi ed un ottima impostazione della fotocamera.
Un piacere vedere le foto del ...post ferie, complete ed interessanti.
GF

fabbs99 (5533) 2012-10-29 8:29

Dear Barbara,

I love this special shot of yours.I like old fortresses and this one is certainly a special one.The brickworks as well as the watch towers look exotic and has an old time touch associated with this great fortress.You have captured it lots of sharpness and wonderful warm colors.TFS.

Warm regards
Have a great time this week and keep in touch
Farhat

jmdias (45830) 2012-11-12 0:52

barbara

I visited this castle many years ago. nice use of the diagonal lines in the foreground and the structure of the towers ahead.well done.

hugs

jorge