Château de Durban, Medieval castle in Durban-Corbières, France.
Château de Durban is a medieval castle that stands on elevated ground overlooking the village with two distinctive towers. The northern side features a round staircase tower next to a square tower, with the structure built from stone and incorporating ancient foundations.
The castle was built in the 11th century on Roman foundations for the lords of Durban, first documented in records from 1018. Later it fell into decline and was used as a stone quarry from 1873 until preservation efforts rescued the structure.
The castle's name derives from Latin meaning "dark," reflecting its location in a shadowed valley. Visitors can observe how the structure sits within the village landscape and how the architecture demonstrates the long connection between the building and its surrounding community.
The site is freely accessible to visitors and maintained by a local preservation group under municipal oversight. It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes as the ground is uneven and sometimes steep.
Archaeological digs beginning in 1967 uncovered Renaissance elements such as elaborate windows and marble columns, which were restored in 1972. These discoveries reveal that the castle was redesigned in later centuries while retaining its medieval foundations.
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