Château des Quat'Sos, Medieval castle in La Réole, France.
Château des Quat'Sos is a medieval fortress positioned on a rise above the Garonne River and built with four distinctive corner towers that define its military design. The structure displays typical features of a medieval defensive installation with thick walls and a strategic location overlooking the waterway.
English King Henry III constructed the fortress between 1230 and 1250, building upon a structure that was established during the time of Richard the Lionheart in the late 12th century. This creation was part of a longer period of English investment in French fortifications under the rule of the Plantagenet dynasty.
The name refers to the four corner towers that shape its outline and remain visible from a distance. This distinctive form has given the place its identity and stands out as the recognizable feature when approaching the grounds.
The castle opens to visitors during European Heritage Days, allowing access to explore the site and view medieval construction methods up close. Visitors should prepare for uneven ground and steep stairs since it is an ancient fortress situated on a hilltop.
The fortress witnessed one of the earliest documented uses of cannons in Western Europe during a siege in 1324. This event is recorded in historical manuscripts and shows how significant this site was in the evolution of warfare technology.
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