Hello all! We spent the day at the Walled city. Went to the castle first. Whoa baby. Glad I didn't live in the 12th century. Stone, open windows, it was windy today and it was all we could do to hang on. Lots and lots of pictures today to help you see the immensity of this place.
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| between the inner and outer walls |
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| arrow slits |
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| There are 54 of these towers. We went to every one. |
We walked all of the ramparts (the upper part of the inner wall, which is 2 km around and just about as many flights of steps up and then down and then up again. Consider it our step master workout today.
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| people dressed up playing knights |
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| walls were thick |
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| timber framed building |
It was a fun, long walk. Then we went to the Cathedral. Scenes along the street before we got there.
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| Thought this would be a good sign for Starmont |
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| gargoyles |
The castle and the cathedral is also inside the city walls. It is very old, typical gothic construction with a center aisle and 2 transepts.
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| center aisle looks built like a loaf of bread |
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| organ |
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| 13th century stained glass |
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| side aisles that look like smaller loaves of bread |
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| tree of Jesse |
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| Interior ribbing, which means about 14 century |
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| Pieta by who knows who |
Jerry has now been in so many Catholic Basilicas that he has converted, which I know will make the Louks happy. However, while in the church, his beloved cell phone fell out of his pocket and it is LOST. He is heartbroken. No more Facebook posts. No more Words with Friends. Poor Jerry.
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| About every 5 feet there is a store that sells swords, helmets, and maces. |
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| Above ground cemetery |
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| Look at all those plus signs |
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| More punishment that should be reinstated |
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| Front of our hotel |
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| 5 PM parade of characters dressed up |
It was a fun day, if you ignore the cell phone loss, and we are pooped. Tomorrow we leave here about noon and train to Bordeaux, France where we will stay a week. We have really enjoyed our time here but we have walked all over this place, many times. Time to go.
We left Carcassonne on Sunday after another fun night out in the old city.
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| We ran into our friends from Andorra again and had a fun visit. |
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| We had a local dish called Cassoulet which is leg of duck, pork sausage, and white beans. Amazing |
Travel day tomorrow. See you in Bordeaux. A bientot!
