Château d'Excideuil, Medieval castle in Excideuil, France.
Château d'Excideuil is a fortress with two tall Roman towers connected by a residence that rises from the terrain. The fortified complex includes arrow slits, defensive passages across multiple levels, ramparts, a gatehouse, and remnants of a former drawbridge system.
The fortress was built around 1100 as a stronghold for the viscounts of Limoges and faced military threats during the medieval period. It successfully resisted attacks by Richard the Lionheart in 1182 and 1184, proving its defensive capabilities.
The fortress blends medieval and Renaissance architectural elements that you can observe in its decoration. The main residence displays a sculpted entrance framed by columns and pointed window designs from different building periods.
You can walk through the towers, ramparts, and gatehouse to see how medieval defenses were built and arranged. The site sits on elevated ground with uneven surfaces, so wear suitable footwear for exploring the fortress.
A spiral staircase tower links the two main towers together, while a circular turret with a domed roof from the 15th century runs along the ramparts. This unusual combination shows how the fortress changed and adapted over time.
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