Château de Sainte-Mère, 13th century castle in Sainte-Mère, France.
Château de Sainte-Mère is a rectangular fortress from the 13th century with two towers on its northern facade. The thick stone walls are pierced with narrow arrow slits that clearly show the defensive purpose of this medieval fortification.
A bishop began construction of this fortress in the later half of the 13th century to protect the border region. The estate remained an important episcopal seat for several centuries before the French Revolution marked its political end.
The name references the Holy Mother, a veneration deeply rooted in this region. The structure itself mirrors the long connection between church and secular power that is visible in its design.
The castle sits on a slight rise in the center of town and is easily reached on foot. The exterior can be visited freely, but those wishing to see inside should check beforehand if a guided tour is needed.
The ground floor originally contained only storage areas protected by arrow slits, while upper levels served as living quarters. This layout reveals how the fortress needed to balance defense with comfort for its high-ranking residents.
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