Château de Saint-Alban, Medieval fortified castle in Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole, France.
Château de Saint-Alban is a medieval fortified castle with four corner towers surrounding a rectangular courtyard. The most striking feature is a three-story gallery built from local red sandstone that displays Renaissance design and overlooks the inner space.
The castle is first mentioned in the 12th century and served various purposes as a fortress and residence. A major turning point came in 1821 when Brother Hilarion transformed it into a facility for people with mental illness and established medical care there.
The castle sits on the Via Podensis pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, which has guided travelers through the region for centuries. Visitors can feel this historical connection as they walk through the rooms and imagine the many people who have passed this way.
The ground floor houses a tourist office that provides visitors with information about the area. Summer months bring temporary exhibitions and performances to the courtyard that visitors can explore at no cost.
Inside one of the side chambers is a wooden ceiling decorated with painted medallions showing castles from different historical periods. This rare artistic detail offers a window into the region's creative tastes during medieval and Renaissance times.
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