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CASTLES PARTNERSHIP |
CARDIFF CASTLE
When the Normans arrived in the 11th century, they built there a motte about 40 feet (12m) high and topped it with a wooden building. Later, a 12-sided keep was erected, and a gatehouse and stairs were added in the 15th century. Robert, the eldest son of William the Conqueror was held prisoner here for many years by Henry I, his youngest brother and died in Cardiff Castle in 1134. A magnificent Victorian addition is the work of William Burges, an architect working for the rich Marquess of Bute. Burges built next to the Castle a great palace in the style of a medieval castle. It has an impressive clock tower and the rooms have marvellous colourful decorations at the ceilings. The two buildings circled by walls and the compound in between form what is known today as Cardiff Castle ; it is certainly worth a visit !
For more information : www.cardiffcastle.com
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BELLINZONA - THREE CASTLES FOR ONE TOWN
Castelgrande – Castello di Montebello – Castello di Sasso Corbaro
Bellinzona, in the heart of the Italian speaking Switzerland, is an historical town at the crossroads of the Alpine passes. The town is where the Francs and the Lombards fought, a place at a time run by the Visconti, the Sforza, the Dukes of Milan. It became part of the Helvetic Confederation (Switzerland) in 1803, when the Tessin (Ticino) District was created.
Three major medieval castles and walls are characteristic of Bellinzona and all well preserved. Its historical centre has retained all the charm of a medieval Lombard town. Each Year, there is a famous carnival renowned for its « Maestà Rabadan ».
Castelgrande :
the first settlement on the Castelgrande Hill goes back to the years 5500-5000
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Montebello Castle :90 metres above town, once called the Piccolo Casttello ( small castle) and dominating Castelgrande, this castle is from the XIII century. Its inner courtyards with its towers and the half-moon are from the XIV and XV centuries and are the work of the Sforza family engineers. Today it belongs to Ticino district (canton). From this castle you also get a scenic view of the town and can see as far as « Lago Maggiore ». The castles legends |
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Castello di Sasso Corbaro :230 metres above town and typical fortress of the Sforza family, (similar to many of the Lombard citadels), the whole structure is reduced to a geometric figure. The dungeon has walls 4.70m thick and the watch tower is attached to the external high walls. It was built in 1479 in just six months by order of the Duke of Milan and under the supervision of a military engineer, Benedetto Ferrini of Florence. It is named by the locals « Castello della Cima » (castle of the top). In 1919, the State bought it to save and restore. The castle stands in the middle of a wood, in a peaceful environment from where the view again is stunning. The castles legends |
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BONNEVAL CHATEAU
Richard the Lionheart Route
You are invited to follow the lion who met his fate: Richard, King of England, Duke of Aquitaine and son of Eleanor! A relentless warrior who crossed numerous lands, it was during the 1199 siege of Châlus Château, owned by the Viscount of Limoges, that Richard was fatally wounded. He was buried at Fontefrault, his heart was deposited at Rouen and his remains were left in Châlus.
Today, a non profit organisation that unites 19 sites has chosen this well known historical figure as their emblem. These sites can be found along the 200 km tourist road that passes through the Haute-Vienne, the Corrèze, the Charente and the Dordogne.
BONNEVAL CASTLE :
Bonneval castle overlooks the centre of Coussac village; it was a strategic location in the line of defence that protected access to Aquitaine. It is the estate of the Marquis de Bonneval, one of the oldest noble families in France. The furnished château houses tapestries from Aubusson and Fontainebleau. The route of the Lion knight will lead you on a discovery of other medieval castles and villages.
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CASTLE OF VARILLETTESA CHATEAU WITH AUTHENTIC CHARM
Region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (Central France) Saint Flour station : 3km
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CHALAIS CHATEAU
Situated in south of the Charente, Château de Chalais is a majestic renaissance style monument, which was built next to the piece of land where the original Chalais medieval castle stood and is now part of the actual castle grounds. For six centuries, the estate was the property of the Talleyrand-Perigord family and among them Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand, a minister under Napoleon. Most interesting is the Levy bridge which is one of the rare few still operating in France.
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