Château de Montoire, Medieval castle in Montoire-sur-le-Loir, France.
Château de Montoire is a medieval fortress featuring a rectangular keep surrounded by polygonal walls with defensive towers positioned at intervals. The complex spreads across the hilltop with traces of deep moats and reveals the layered construction techniques spanning from the 11th to the 15th century.
The fortress began construction in the 11th century and underwent continuous expansion and reinforcement for over four centuries to maintain its strategic position. King Henry IV ordered its dismantling in 1593 as part of policies to reduce the power of individual families.
The name comes from Latin meaning 'Mount of Prayer', hinting at a sanctuary that once occupied this hilltop before the fortress was built. Visitors today can sense this spiritual history in the elevated setting and the way the ruins command the surrounding landscape.
The ruins sit on a hillside with open access to the grounds and offer views across the town and the Loir River valley. Wear sturdy shoes since the pathways are uneven and some areas have steep grades to navigate.
A dendrochronological analysis of the wooden beams shows the keep dates to around 1080, making it one of the region's oldest stone structures. This dating technique, which measures growth rings from timber, revealed the exact construction period with unusual precision.
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