|
|
My First Foray into Cathar Country Belatedly Illustrated in 2003 |
|
Puycelsi (click on the name of the regional map at this link). This modern yet Medieval town is surrounded by farms and forests just like in the year 1210 when Simon de Montford's army marched by and send rocks at the city walls. The walls survived that attack, but did not survive the modern fact of life that walls no longer serve a defensive purpose (although we still talk of "an uphill battle" as if we still live in those violent times), and stones have value.
The town's hilltop setting, surrounded by farms and forests, is quite pleasant to look at:
The road around the city is built on what is left of the city wall. The effort to decorate
this rocky place with flowers is noted and appreciated:
Once in town, away from the ramparts, this yucca flower was a pleasing sight, as was the forested valley below:
As is typical, there are some remains of the older fortifications:
I had the town to myself except for this British pair with whom I exchanged
a few pleasantries, also tourists:
I entered the town chapel and found this charming work of art:
This road has a pedestrian exit that requires a grown man to bow when coming
into town. I am sure it was well-plugged during threat of attack.
These ancient steps are evidence of remodeling: they no longer go anywhere.
This was the road out of town, next stop: Minerve.
