Carcassonne

Cité of Carcassonne is probably one of the most beautiful medieval cities. It is the largest in Europe with its walls still intact. Within these ancient walls there is another fortress - Château Comtal (Count’s Castle). The city was designed to withstand long sieges and considered impregnable.

Carcassonne was besieged by the army of Simon de Montfort from 1st to 15th of August 1209 during the early phase of the War against the Cathars of Languedoc. Viscount of Carcassonne, Raymond-Roger Trencavel, came out to parley with the Crusaders, but was seized and taken prisoner. Without his leadership, resistance crumbled and the city surrendered.