September Carcassonne is one of those household destination names. They all ooze 19th century romantic views on the Middle Ages. Carcassonne is outside Catalonia and has always been. To appreciate Carcassonne fully, one must first delve into its historical origins.
Its story begins as far back as the Roman times when it was a bustling trading hub known as Carcaso. Carcasso traces its roots to the Roman Empire when it served as an important regional center for trade and commerce. The Romans fortified the city, leaving behind remnants of their architecture that can still be seen today.
The town reached the zenith of its fame during the medieval era, particularly in the 12th century when it became embroiled in the Albigensian Crusade. As a stronghold of Catharism, a religious movement considered heretical by the Roman Catholic Church , Carcassonne faced siege and capture, leading to its transformation into a formidable fortress.
The most striking feature of Carcassonne is undoubtedly its remarkable architecture with Playmobil vibes, which transports visitors back in time to the medieval era. Carcassonne is renowned for its double walls, which encircle the old town in a seemingly impenetrable embrace.
Visitors can explore its ramparts, towers, and inner courtyards while enjoying panoramic views of the town and the surrounding countryside. The castle possesses its own drawbridge and ditch leading to a central keep. The walls consist of towers built over quite a long period. One section is Roman and is notably different from the medieval walls, with the tell-tale red brick layers and the shallow pitch terracotta tile roofs. One of these towers housed the Catholic Inquisition in the 13th century and is still known as the Inquisition Tower.
