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Author
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Topic: Castle search
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AJ
Member
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posted 01-12-2002 06:38 PM
  
Hi, everyone.After vainly searching the Net for a castle that fits vague ideas in my head, I'm turning to the experts. Does anyone know of any castles STILL UNRUINED built in the thirteenth or fourteenth centuries that are bordered by forest and not in view of modern urban areas? Almost all the castles I've found listed in France/Germany/Britain seem to have been either modified beyond recognition by well-meaning later owners, ruined or surrounded by supermarkets and designer clothing shops. I'm starting to feel ashamed of my own innocent belief that *real* High-Late medieval castles still exist : ) |
Gordon
unregistered
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posted 01-12-2002 07:17 PM
You are unlikely to find a castle of that date that either hasn't been modified, or isn't in ruins. The castle would either had continued habitation for some period, in which case the owners would have modified it as their needs changed, or it would have fallen into ruin through disuse.
Unfortunately urban ingress into rural areas is a fact of life, and if you consider that a castle mutually supported the community around it, then many castles had towns grow up around them. The castle location often gave it it's importance, and these same reasons often gave the town importance after the castle fell into disuse, eg an important confluence of travelways or an important river crossing. The 'castleton' provided services to the castle, and it provided justice, trade, and security.
Nostalgia and an awareness of the cultural importance of historic buildings are relatively recent concepts, which lose their importance when war prevails over peace. The preservation of these buildings is more likely in peaceful and prosperous times.
During the castle building era, neither were secure, which is why castles were required. Once nations became more static and secure, as we moved toward the 'modern' age, the need for defendable homes lessened and so they were left to ruin, or adapted into mansion houses, which offered a greater comfort and relative luxury. Luxurious mansions are more attractive homes than damp draughty castles without 'modern' conveniences.
Bordering forest would not be a natural situation for a castle either. If situated in such a place, cover would naturally be provided to an attcking force, ands so some clearance of woodland around the site would have to be undertaken in order that the approaches to the castle were within view.
Again modern castle situations are deceiving, since the peace and security which (in part)brought the demise of the castle, has allowed the cultivation of more scenic surroundings....and show gardens.
There were of course other reasons for the demise of the castle age, but the above points are those relevant to your question.------------------
'Demeure par la verite'
Visit; Gordon's Scottish Castles Resource Page
[This message has been edited by Gordon (edited 01-12-2002).] |
Erik Schmidt
Senior Member
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posted 01-13-2002 01:58 AM
Gordon said it so well.One thing though. What is your definition of ruined? Some castles still have much of the main structure intact, so one can still get a feel for it's original look.
Loarre, in Spain comes to mind, although surrounded by shrubland, rocky hills and some almond groves. |
Peter
Member
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posted 01-13-2002 08:29 AM
There are perhaps many such castles throughout Europe. But you are not going to find them on the net easily.
You are more likely to find them searching books where perahps a better prespective is given.
In the lastest issue of Postern (13), Dave F. Smith writes about the castle of 'Beynac' in France. Which, although has some later additions as outworks still retains its basic shape of the earlier centuries.
Although some restoration was carried out in later times this is now being replaced, and its originally structure brought to the fore.
Though, as already mentioned, it is unlikely that any castle from that date will not have been touched, or some part of it ruined or missing.
And how do you say what is 'original' ?
The first thing to go in any building is the roof. And no castle roof is likely to be the original. And once the roof goes, even if it replaced, the whole fabric is compromised. So who can say what is replaced in the end.
I'd cut corners with your quest, and get something as close as you can. |
Merlin
Senior Member
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posted 01-14-2002 11:38 AM
Well, maybe not exactly what you wished to find, but very near to it: Castle Kyburg in Switzerland, which dates back to the 11th century). Although a museum today, the castle still looks very much like it did in the 14/15th century. It stands high above the river Töss, is surrounded by woodland and only to the south there is a small village with old farmhouses, once a part of the castle itself. The parking lot for visitors is far outside and if you go there at a cold tuesday morning in october you even may have the whole castle for your own. The next urban area, the city of Winterthur, is about 10km away and unless you climb the top of the main tower, you'll see none of it. Have a look at:
http://www.swisscastles.com/Zurich/kyburg/default.htm ---- Merlin ---- | |
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