Porte Saint-Jacques, Medieval city gate in Cognac, France.
The Porte Saint-Jacques is a medieval city gate in Cognac with two round towers made of local limestone blocks connected by vaulted chambers. The structure has a stone-paved terrace at its top level and stands today on the banks of the Charente River, where it once controlled access to the bridge leading to the adjacent district.
The gate was built in the 15th century to replace earlier square towers and formed part of the medieval city's defensive wall system. In the 18th century it served military purposes, before later being used as a prison until 1864.
The gate takes its name from Saint James and historically marked the connection between the city and the district of the same name across the bridge. Visitors can still understand the spatial arrangement that shows how important this passage was for daily life in the community.
The gate sits directly on the banks of the Charente River and is easily accessible from the Château de Cognac. The best time to visit is during daylight hours to appreciate the stonework details and the view from the upper terrace.
Scratches and inscriptions made by soldiers remain preserved inside the structure's walls from when they were stationed there. These spontaneous markings on the stone provide a glimpse into the everyday lives of those who occupied this place.
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