Duras Castle ( fr. Château de Duras ) is a medieval castle in New Aquitaine , in commune (department of Lo and Garonne , France). The castle is included in the list of historical monuments of France; is owned by the commune.
| Castle | |
| Chateau de Duras | |
|---|---|
| Château de duras | |
 | |
| A country |  France |
| Location | |
| First mention | 1137 year |
| Status |  Recorded ( 1970 ) |
| Site | |
History
The first castle was built in 1137 on the rocky spur of Guillaume Amanier , Viscount Bezom , and . At the beginning of the XIV century, the estate inherits Gaillard de Got. As the brother of Pope Clement V , he uses his position to turn his castle into an impregnable fortress, which has a clear architectural resemblance to the other "Clement's chateau" in Gascony [2] .
In 1325, the castle probably became the dowry of the Marquise de Goth, who married Arnaud de Durfort. From then until 1819 it was owned by the family - .
The fortress was besieged several times during the Hundred Years' War , in particular, according to the Chronicles of Froissart , by the constable Du Géclin in 1377 . However, apparently, he was not subjected to serious destruction.
In the 16th century, the Durfors joined Protestants and in 1562 Blaise de Montluc was besieged by the castle.
In 1651, the castle was expanded and rebuilt by (1630-1702), later marshal of France. His elder brother, (1625-1704), 3rd Marquise of Duras, in 1689 was elevated to the ducal dignity, becoming the 1st Duke de Duras. In the future, the castle continues to improve, turning into a country villa, surrounded by French gardens . At the beginning of the XVIII century, , son of the 1st Duke de Duras, builds a Small Castle here. On the preserved projects of architect Robert de Cota , a greenhouse, a chapel and stables (the latter are mentioned in 1734), built in the 1730s, are visible around the front yard.
In 1738, in the Great Hall of the Castle, 1,300 people welcomed people during a religious ceremony. According to other sources, the decoration of the hall was completed in 1741. The third duke, (1715-1789), did not seem to undertake major works on the estate.
During the French Revolution, the castle was ravaged and partially destroyed: all the towers, except the southeast, were damaged, the buildings of the front yard were destroyed, the gardens were abandoned. In 1883, the heir of Durforov, Count Henri de Chatel , after having dismantled the parade fireplaces, sold the estate to priest , after which the cure tried to adapt the eastern wing to the church.
A victim from time to time, in 1969, the castle was bought by residents of the city at an auction and in 1970 was included in the collection of historical monuments of France, followed by 40 years of restoration. In 1975, the roof was restored, in 1980-1990 - vaulted cellars.
Architecture
The homogeneity of the architecture of different periods in the Chateau de Duras does not allow to accurately identify the stages of construction and rework. The medieval castle was substantially rebuilt in the 17th century, only the massive towers remained intact. The main building is a quadrangle in plan, flanked by four round towers at the corners. On a Gothic base, from the south and north of , now turned into a courtyard , were built two residential wings connected by galleries. The courtyard, which overlooks the windows of the Earls of the Count and Countess, is decorated with a small Italian-style arcade. The decor of the castle is quite simple: large windows are decorated with biforium , balconies with balusters , doors with rusting .
The largest of the castle premises is the Hall of the Three Marshals, intended for official events. In the masonry, the column and the beginning of the arcade are preserved - traces of alterations of the XVI century. Also noteworthy is the bakery, carved directly into the rock.
On the south side of the front yard is the Small Castle ( Fr. Petit Château ) of the 1st quarter of the 18th century. It rests on the curtain wall and adjoins the corner tower of the former 14th century. In the center is a symmetrical double staircase leading to the terrace. The western part of the Small Castle is occupied by living rooms of the 17th century [3] , where richly decorated fireplaces are preserved. The apartments are connected with the oratorio located in the tower, whose walls are decorated with stucco panels on religious themes.
Visit
- February, March, November, December: 14:00 - 18:00, daily (closed on December 24 and 25)
- April, May, June, September, October: 10:00 - 13:00 and 14:00 - 18:00, daily
- July and August: 10:00 - 19:00 daily
- tours of the castle in the summer season: daily, at 15:00
- audio guide in english and french
Ticket price - 8 € (pupils and students - 5,5 €, children from 5 to 12 years old - 4 €).
Notes
- ↑ base Mérimée - ministère de la Culture , 1978.
- ↑ Duras Castle , entry IA47002968 in “ Base Merimee ”
- ↑ Duras Castle , entry PA00084107 in “ Base Merimee ”
Links
- Wikimedia Commons has media on Duras (castle, France)
- Site of Duras Castle