Ancient castles in which people live. How it was: the secrets that medieval castles hide. Cashel Castle, Ireland

The presence of good locks on the apartment door does not at all guarantee the safety of the home from burglars. True professionals in their field have long learned to open any lock and can get into any home without much difficulty.

At a time when the people's financial situation worsens, the criminal element becomes more active. However, he does not sleep even in Good times. The same burglars are still watching the apartments. You can look at your set of keys and determine how quickly your home will be opened - if they want to.

1. Key for a cylinder, pin lock (popularly called “English”). Secrecy is of the lowest. The presence of such a device attracts a thief due to the ease of opening it. The time it takes for criminals to silently open a lock is 2-3 minutes.

2. A key for a cylinder, pin lock of the so-called increased security, produced by the Mosrengen plant. It is as vulnerable as the first sample. The time for silent opening of the lock by criminals is 2-3 minutes.

3. The key for the cylinder pin lock is cross-shaped. This lock can be opened with a regular Phillips screwdriver. The presence of such a lock on an apartment door does not protect it absolutely. The time for silent opening of the lock by criminals is 1 minute.

4. Key for cylinder disc lock. Locks with such a key began to be produced in our country under license from ABLOY in the late 70s. The security of the castle is low. The time it takes for criminals to silently open a lock is 2-3 minutes.

5. Key for cylinder disc lock. Burglar resistance today is not quite sufficient. Most of these locks are opened using ordinary locksmith tools. Opening time (with significant noise) is 10-15 minutes.

6. Key for cylinder, pin lock. Very common locks are called perforated or laser sharpened. It is recommended to install in addition to the main lock and only in combination with special cylinder protection. The silent opening time without a protective pad is 2-3 minutes, 30-40 minutes with noise - with a protective pad. Opening time with a master key is 5-10 minutes.

7. Key for cylinder, pin lock. So far there have been no cases of opening such locks with master keys. A duplicate key can be ordered only if you have a special identification card at the dealer’s service center, and in some models - only at the manufacturer. The weak point of such locks is the possibility of knocking out or breaking out the cylinder using a locksmith tool. It is recommended to install such locks only in combination with special cylinder protection. The time for silently opening a lock without a protective lining is 2-5 minutes, and 30 - 40 minutes with significant noise - with a protective lining.

8. Key for lever lock. Good burglary resistance. A common disadvantage of this type of lock is the ease of making a duplicate key using a cast. The time it takes criminals to open a lock with a special tool (master key) is 15 – 40 minutes.

How do professional thieves commit burglaries?

Most often, burglaries occur on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on weekends, when the owners go to the countryside or to the countryside.

First, the burglars go out on reconnaissance: they check when and for how long the owners leave the apartment, when they return, in what car, and so on. To avoid encountering witnesses, they call neighbors.

Professionals monitor the apartment for several days, then begin to study the details. They find out how reliable the door is and how the lock works. If the lock cylinder is weak, it is simply knocked out. If it does not give in immediately, it is drilled out. You have to tinker with complex locks.

Metal doors are not a panacea. They are cracked open, squeezed out, and carefully opened. But still, each “barrier” takes time, and this somewhat increases the chances of apartment owners: a thief may be scared off by a resident of the building passing by.

Swindlers, as a rule, set a "control". For example, on Friday a match is quietly inserted into the doorframe. One Georgian group inserted a piece of paper into a keyhole. The next day, the “control” - a match or piece of paper - is checked. If it is there, it means the door did not open. No one left the apartment, and no one entered it.

Professionals work slowly. Having made sure that the owners will not be at home for a long time, the thief enters the apartment, and then lets his accomplices in, and the group begins a leisurely search, which can last 4 or 8 hours.

“Search tactics” is an entire branch of criminology, which police officers study at the academy, and thieves study at “prison universities.” Professionals don't litter. One inspects cabinets and safes, the other checks the refrigerator, cans of cereals, and laundry bins in the bathroom. If nothing is found here, they screw up the lampshades, lift up the rugs and linoleum, sometimes even dismantle the parquet, examine the tubular cornices, chair legs, pierce the cushions of upholstered furniture with a needle to see if anything is hidden there.

“Non-specialists” take everything in sight: video equipment, things, small amounts of money. There are also spontaneous “guest performers” - professionals who act without preparation, in a hurry, and rarely find well-hidden valuables. 90% of such thefts occur.

All prepared crimes occur either on a tip or taking into account the external signs of wealthy housing. It is enough for a thief to see double-glazed windows on the windows and an air conditioner to become interested in the apartment. It also happens that thieves will simply sit on the tail of a brand new foreign car and drive it all the way to the house. Everything further is a matter of technology.

If you regularly receive calls to your home phone from strangers, while the interlocutor is silent on the phone or pretends that he has the wrong number, be vigilant: attackers often use this method to determine what time you are absent from the apartment.

A video intercom or video camera installed on the staircase will help scare off a thief, as well as solve a burglary.


Old castles keep secrets. Majestic, imbued with a sense of self-worth, dark and lush, they attract you, promising to show something special. The most ancient castles amaze with their scale and skillful decoration.


Man is an infinitely curious creature, which is why every year thousands and thousands of tourists visit castles around the world. They are attracted not just by the desire to look at the life of past years. Everyone is trying to see through what the walls of the buildings remember. Whose destinies were decided in them, what deeds were accomplished?

Old castles. General characteristics and functions

If we consider these buildings outside of eras, we can highlight the following features that distinguish old castles:


Locks as a means of protection

Prototypes of these buildings appeared in Iran and later moved to Ancient Rome, after which they advanced to Byzantium, where they became very popular due to the fact that they were used as forts.

However, castles flourished during the Middle Ages; they were used as dwellings of feudal lords and were primarily of a defensive nature. It was then that they came to the form we are familiar with. The castles were geographically located on steep hills and hills in order to make a possible assault as difficult as possible. These measures were not related to the widespread mania for persecution of the powerful of the world at that time. We must not forget that the Middle Ages passed “under the auspices” of feudal fragmentation and unrest; the protection of life in such conditions was paramount.

Castles as a sign of status

Time passed, morals changed, the Middle Ages, with its theological dictates and the need to live looking back, gave way to the Renaissance, which elevated anthropocentrism to a cult. Castles naturally turned into just people's homes. The buildings became lighter, more elegant, more beautiful, everyone created something of their own, competing with their neighbors to the best of their ability.

Castles as a center of secrets

Walking along the winding corridors of castles, it is difficult to get rid of the feeling that you are being watched. They keep too many secrets and understatements. Deposed monarchs, corrupt servants, unhappy love stories - all this excites the imagination and gives goosebumps. Let's look at some of the secrets of ancient castles?

Tower

Mentioned ancient castles with their secrets and ghosts - what first comes to mind? Of course, the Tower. This is a London building

served as a prison for those who henceforth had only one road - to the scaffold. Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry the Eighth, did not escape this fate. The church did not allow him to get a divorce, but new love demanded decisive action. The monarch who became the prototype of Bluebeard found a way out - he accused his wife of incest and sentenced her to death. Eyewitnesses said that the queen was infinitely calm and majestic, ascending to the scaffold, no hysterics or tears. In turn, her husband also “had mercy” - he provided a skilled French executioner and after Anna’s death he did not put his head on public display, but buried it, placing it under his right arm. Since then, not only in the Tower, but also in London itself, a blurry image of a woman in a luxurious dress holding her head with her right hand has been periodically noticed.

Mayerling Castle

When you look at this photo, old lock It seems so serene that it is difficult to believe its dark and tragic history for Austria. It was there that the heir to the throne, Rudolf, the only son of Sisi and Franz Joseph, died under mysterious circumstances. Rudolph, according to his contemporaries, suffered from depression and temporary clouding of mind, for which he was “treated” with heavy doses of alcohol. One frosty January day in 1899, he and his mistress Maria Vechera entered Meyerling Castle, never to return. They were discovered after some time time dead- the girl was shot, and Rudolf was poisoned. There are many versions of what happened: some say that the crown prince persuaded Maria to leave with him and shoot herself after he took poison, others say that the heir himself killed her and then committed suicide, others insist that both were killed by opponents crown to destabilize the situation in Austria.

Olesko Castle

When old ones are mentioned, it is this building that comes to mind first.

Its history is rich in events - just take the fact that in the 17th century his father served at court, and at the same time a tragedy occurred, which is still talked about to this day. The owner of Olesko Castle had a beautiful daughter, whose hand young Adam persistently, but to no avail, sought. The mission to obtain the blessing of his beloved’s father was initially doomed to failure, since he wanted to see only a representative of the royal family in his sons-in-law. Unable to bear another refusal, Adam committed suicide in front of everyone. Due to the fact that he became a suicide, they buried him without a Christian rite - according to one version, they buried him near the walls of the castle, according to another, they simply threw his body into a swamp. The owner's daughter could not cope with the loss and also took her own life. Those brave souls who decide to spend the night in Olesko Castle claim that two restless souls still wander around the building, breaking the silence with groans.

Woodstock Castle

The most famous ancient castles in the world include Woodstock.

Speaking about the distinctive features, we can mention the fact that the echo in it is surprisingly clearly heard 17 times in a row. However, this is not what excites people’s imagination. In the 12th century, he witnessed a love triangle, two corners of which were represented by the most influential spouses of that time, and the third corner was a brilliant beauty. We are talking about Henry II Plantagenet, Eleanor of Aquitaine and Rosamund Clifford. According to legend, Henry hid his mistress Rosamund in the tower of Woodstock Castle. The path led through a labyrinth that was impossible to overcome blindly. And this measure was justified, for the monarch knew very well that his crowned wife was not only smart, but also extremely vindictive. Against all odds, Eleanor followed her husband and discovered the beauty. Her decision was inexorable - Rosamund had to die. She was given the choice of death by dagger or poison. Henry's beloved chose the latter and met death in terrible agony - indeed, it is difficult to expect a quick, merciful death from an angry woman. Plantagenet, having learned about the tragedy, went mad with grief and forever imprisoned his treacherous wife. He retained the memory of Rosamund until the end of his days and supposedly died on the same day as her, but 13 years later. The girl's spirit still wanders around the castle, waiting for her king.

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After all, medieval architects were geniuses - they built castles, luxurious buildings that were also extremely practical. Castles, unlike modern mansions, not only demonstrated the wealth of their owners, but also served as powerful fortresses that could hold a defense for several years, and at the same time life in them did not stop.

Even the very fact that many castles, having survived wars, natural disasters and the carelessness of their owners, still stand intact, suggests that more reliable housing has not yet been invented. They are also incredibly beautiful and seem to have appeared in our world from the pages of fairy tales and legends. Their tall spiers remind of the times when the hearts of beauties were fought for, and the air was saturated with chivalry and courage.

So that you too get into the romantic mood, website collected in this material 20 of the most famous castles that still remain on Earth. You will definitely want to visit them and, perhaps, stay to live.

Reichsburg Castle, Germany

The thousand-year-old castle was originally the residence of King Conrad III of Germany and then King Louis XIV of France. The fortress was burned by the French in 1689 and would have fallen into oblivion, but a German businessman acquired its remains in 1868 and spent much of his wealth restoring the castle.

Mont Saint Michel, France

The impregnable castle of Mont Saint-Michel, surrounded on all sides by the sea, is one of the most popular attractions in France after Paris. Built in 709, it still looks stunning.

Hochosterwitz Castle, Austria

The medieval castle of Hochosterwitz was built back in the 9th century. Its towers still vigilantly monitor the surrounding area, proudly towering above it at an altitude of 160 m. And in sunny weather they can be admired even at a distance of 30 km.

Bled Castle, Slovenia

The castle is located on a hundred-meter cliff, hanging menacingly over Lake Bled. In addition to the magnificent view from the windows of the castle, this place has a rich history - the residence of the Serbian queen of the dynasty, and later of Marshal Josip Broz Tito, was located here.

Hohenzollern Castle, Germany

Barciense Castle, Spain

Barciense Castle in the Spanish province of Toledo was built in the 15th century by a local count. For 100 years, the castle served as a powerful artillery fortress, and today these empty walls attract only photographers and tourists.

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

The romantic castle of the Bavarian king Ludwig II was built in the middle of the 19th century and at that time its architecture was considered very extravagant. Be that as it may, it was its walls that inspired the creators of Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland.

Methoni Castle, Greece

Since the 14th century, the Venetian castle-fortress of Methoni has been the center of battles and the last outpost of Europeans in these parts in the battles against the Turks, who dreamed of capturing the Peloponnese. Today, only ruins remain of the fortress.

Hohenschwangau Castle, Germany

Chillon Castle, Switzerland

This medieval bastille resembles a warship from a bird's eye view. Rich story and the characteristic appearance of the castle served as inspiration for many famous writers. In the 16th century, the castle was used as a state prison, which George Byron described in his poem “The Prisoner of Chillon.”

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

The castle, located on a rocky island in the Loch Duich fjord, is one of Scotland's most romantic castles, famous for its heather honey and legends. Many films have been filmed here, but most importantly, the castle is open to visitors and everyone can touch the stones of its history.

Bodiam Castle, England

Since its founding in the 14th century, Bodiam Castle has seen many owners, all of whom enjoyed fighting. Therefore, when Lord Curzon acquired it in 1917, only ruins remained of the castle. Fortunately, its walls were quickly restored, and now the castle stands as good as new.

Guaita Castle, San Marino

The castle has been located on the top since the 11th century inaccessible mountain Monte Titano and, together with two other towers, protect the oldest state in the world, San Marino.

Swallow's Nest, Crimea

Initially, there was a small wooden house on the rock of Cape Ai-Todor. And its current appearance " bird home"received thanks to the oil industrialist Baron Steingel, who loved to vacation in Crimea. He decided to build a romantic castle that resembles medieval buildings on the banks of the Rhine River.

Castle Stalker, Scotland

Castle Stalker, which means "Falconer", was built in 1320 and belonged to the MacDougall clan. Since that time its walls have survived great amount strife and wars, which affected the condition of the castle. In 1965, the owner of the castle became Colonel D. R. Stewart from Allward, who personally, together with his wife, family members and friends, restored the structure.

Not every castle is actually a castle. Today, the word “castle” is used to describe almost any significant building of the Middle Ages, be it a palace, a large estate or a fortress - in general, the home of a feudal lord medieval Europe. This everyday use of the word “castle” is at odds with its original meaning, because a castle is primarily a fortification. Inside the castle territory there could be buildings for different purposes: residential, religious, and cultural. But still, first of all, the main function of the castle is defensive. From this point of view, for example, the famous romantic palace of Ludwig II, Neuschwanstein, is not a castle.

Location, and not the structural features of the castle are the key to its defensive power. Of course, the layout of the fortification is important for the defense of the castle, but what makes it truly impregnable is not the thickness of the walls and the location of the loopholes, but the correctly chosen construction site. A steep and high hill that is almost impossible to get to, sheer cliff, the winding road to the castle, which is perfectly shot from the fortress, determine the outcome of the battle to a much greater extent than all other equipment.

Gates- the most vulnerable place in the castle. Of course, in the fortress there had to be main entrance(in peaceful moments, sometimes you want to enter beautifully and solemnly, but the castle is not always defended). When captured, it is always easier to break through the entrance that already exists than to create a new one by destroying massive walls. Therefore, the gates were designed in a special way - they had to be wide enough for the carts and narrow enough for the enemy army. Cinematography often makes the mistake of depicting a castle entrance with a large wooden gate that can be locked: such would be extremely impractical for defense.

The interior walls of the castle were colored. The interiors of medieval castles are often depicted in gray-brown tones, without any cladding, simply as the inside of bare, cold stone walls. But residents of medieval palaces loved bright colors and lavishly decorated the interior of their living quarters. The inhabitants of the castles were rich and, of course, wanted to live in luxury. Our ideas stem from the fact that in most cases the paint has not stood the test of time.

Large windows are a rarity for a medieval castle. As a rule, they were absent altogether, giving way to multiple small window “slots” in the castle walls. In addition to their defensive purpose, narrow window openings protected the privacy of the castle's inhabitants. If you come across a castle building with luxurious panoramic windows, most likely they appeared at a later time, as, for example, at the Roctailade castle in the south of France.

Secret passages, secret doors and dungeons. When walking around the castle, know that somewhere underneath you lie corridors hidden from the eyes of the average person (perhaps someone still wanders through them today?). Poterns - underground corridors between the buildings of the fortress - made it possible to move around the fortress or leave it unnoticed. But it’s a disaster if the traitor opened the secret door to the enemy, as happened during the siege of Corfe Castle in 1645.

Storming the castle was not such a fleeting and easy process as it is portrayed in the movies. A massive attack was a rather extreme decision in an attempt to capture the castle, exposing the main military force. Castle sieges were carefully thought out and took a long time to implement. The most important thing was the ratio of the trebuchet, the throwing machine, to the thickness of the walls. To make a hole in the castle wall, a trebuchet needed from several days to several weeks, especially since just a hole in the wall did not guarantee the capture of the fortress. For example, the siege of Harlech Castle by the future king Henry V lasted about a year, and the castle fell only because the city ran out of provisions. So the rapid attacks of medieval castles are an element of film fantasies, not historical realities.

Hunger- the most powerful weapon when taking a castle. Most castles had rainwater tanks or wells. The chances of the castle residents to survive during the siege depended on the supplies of water and food: the option of “waiting it out” was the least risky for both sides.

For castle defense it didn't require as many people as it seems. Castles were built in such a way as to allow those inside to calmly fight off the enemy, making do with small forces. Compare: the garrison of Harlech Castle, which held out for almost a whole year, consisted of 36 people, while the castle was surrounded by an army numbering hundreds, or even thousands of soldiers. In addition, an extra person on the territory of the castle during a siege is an extra mouth, and as we remember, the issue of provisions could be decisive.

18 chosen

Nowadays, when speeds have become high and distances have become small, getting to Languedoc is easy. You can fly to Toulouse or take a flight high-speed train Paris - Montpellier. Or rent a car in Nice, which has already been mastered by our compatriots. But I like another path - the one that leads from the south, from Spain. Moreover, it is much more interesting to drive not along the coastal highway (it exists in two versions - excellent toll and good free), but along the serpentine winding through the Pyrenees. Once upon a time, Hannibal’s army walked this way - this thought, I admit, encouraged us at a particularly dashing turn or, when at an altitude of about 3000 meters the engine rental car began to cough treacherously... If the ancient commander led soldiers, horses and even elephants (!) through the mountains, can we really not cope?

Majestic Mountain peaks set us in a solemn and romantic mood, and already in the foothills the Languedoc awaits us - probably the richest region of France in secrets and mysteries.

Current Administrative division the country redrawn its historical borders, and ancient Languedoc ended up in two different regions, but for travelers it’s not the name that’s important, but the essence, right? And to understand the essence of Languedoc, it’s not enough to admire the landscapes and see the sights that come across at every step - no, you can’t do without history! Let's start with the fact that it was not the French who lived in Languedoc, but the Occitans, who spoke their own language. This beautiful melodious language, in which the most famous troubadours of medieval Europe composed songs, exists to this day, and it is to it that the region owes its name. Languedoc is translated as “language ok” - this is how the word “yes” sounded in the local dialect.

A mild climate with enough sun and rain, fertile foothills with lush green meadows, vineyards and orchards, and a coastline indented by convenient bays have long attracted people here, who have left us with a lot of mystery.

Who and why, for example, erected these dolmens and menhirs in time immemorial? And most importantly, how?

When you stand next to stones that are thousands of years old, it’s easy to understand why some 17th century church is perceived by locals almost as a remake...

And the question is: “How?” during a trip to the Languedoc will arise repeatedly - even if the “who” and “why” are clear. How, using simple medieval technologies, could one build such a castle on a sheer cliff?

Peyrepertuse Castle is one of the most picturesque in the region.

By the way, how it was stormed in the 13th century is also not very clear to modern people... After all, even today a stubborn tourist has to climb for about half an hour along a winding rocky path - it seems that its quality has not improved much over the centuries.

The ascent to the castle (however, the descent is no easier) requires some preparation, but a few kilometers away you can refresh yourself by swimming in a mountain river right under a small waterfall. I wanted to apologize to the readers for deviating from the topic of “secrets and mysteries,” but I changed my mind - after all, a beautiful old legend is associated with this place. It's quite confusing, but the gist of it comes down to the fact that once you take the plunge, you'll certainly become younger.

I don’t know what about “you’ll feel younger,” but 12-degree water will take away your fatigue!

As for castles in general, there is no need to hunt for them in Languedoc. Almost every mountain or hill is crowned with some kind of castle - of different centuries, sizes and degrees of destruction. And these are not some “sleek” and “cultured” castles of Central France. No, these are the real medieval ones, which were not distinguished by either luxury or convenience, but were impregnable and (this is certainly!) mysterious.

Where did the riddles and secrets of the castles of Languedoc come from? To answer this question, we will have to turn to history. The fact is that the region has always been distinguished not only by its natural beauty and wealth, its own language and unique culture, but also by the peculiarities of its religious worldview. In short, Languedoc was infested with all sorts of heresies, the most famous of which was the teaching of the Cathars, or Albigensians (from the name of the city of Albi). The Cathars, who disagreed with the Catholic Church, built impregnable castles, as it seemed, not in vain - a Crusade against heretics was soon declared... In the 13th century, all the castles were taken, Languedoc was suppressed, but... This is where the mysteries begin - the treasures of the Cathars, among whom there were many noble and rich, were never were found... Intertwined here are stories about the untold riches of the Knights Templar, who fled to the south of France from the persecution of King Philip the Fair (remember the novels of Maurice Druon)... I will say more - there are also legends about the treasures of the Jerusalem Temple, who through who knows what routes ended up in Languedoc... In general, A real tangle of unsolved mysteries and unsolvable riddles is at your service!

Where to look for these treasures? Maybe in the most famous castle of Languedoc - the “father of Qatari castles” - Carcassonne?

Carcassonne is probably the most visited attraction in Languedoc, attracting a huge flow of tourists. They walk through the medieval part of the city - Cité, marveling at the authenticity of the buildings, admiring the Gothic Basilica of St. Nazarius and the inner castle, listening to the legends about the Saracen Lady Carcass, who saved the city from the troops of Charlemagne...

...and do not suspect that the medieval splendor opening before them is in many ways the fruit of a very free reconstruction XIX century. The French architect and restorer Viollet-le-Duc presented us with his romantic and sublime Middle Ages of valiant knights, beautiful ladies and sweet-voiced troubadours. But the monument was preserved for posterity and still makes an indelible impression!

Much better suited for searching for hidden treasures is the powerful and impressive Keribus stronghold, even in its dilapidated state, frozen on the top of the rock like a huge eagle’s nest.

Keribus was the last Cathar castle taken by the Crusaders, and this alone attracted the attention of treasure hunters of all centuries. It is unlikely that you will be able to find something that has not been discovered for centuries. secret passages and dungeons filled with treasures, but the climb to the castle will be rewarded with a magnificent panorama from the top.

For romantic discoveries, Piyuloran Castle stands on a mountain surrounded by dense coniferous forests. Piyuloran was once famous for its troubadours and the romantic love stories of these same troubadours for beautiful ladies. Here they like to tell legends about the ghosts of unhappy lovers and dead prisoners of dungeons.

But, perhaps, most of the legends are associated with Montsegur, which became the center of Languedoc mysteries. Remember Eremey Parnov's novel "The Casket of Marie de' Medici" and the film of the same name? So, the beginning of this whole story is in Montsegur! Montsegur, almost wiped off the face of the earth by the crusaders, where some of the defenders of the fortress committed suicide, and the rest, who did not renounce their beliefs, were burned...

The picturesque ruins of the castle, however, have nothing to do with the Cathar era - we see the ruins of a fortress of a later time. Still impressive, right?

And this does not bother tourists climbing to the ruins, nor, especially, treasure seekers. And among the seekers were, among others, specialists from the Nazi Ahnenerbe... Mystics and occultists from the Ahnenerbe could not pass by the legendary place where there once were mysterious sanctuaries, where the knight Parsifal lived and in general the Holy Grail was located! And it was he, and not material values, that was Montsegur’s main treasure, and it was he who was saved from the besieged fortress...

The Holy Grail is another important Languedoc theme. The notorious Dan Brown, when coming up with the plot of The Da Vinci Code, of course, turned to the legends of the south of France. The story of the Priory of Sion, the escape of Jesus, Mary Magdalene and their descendants who have survived to this day was not invented today or even yesterday. And most appropriate place To make sure of this, check out Rennes-le-Château.

At first glance, there is nothing outstanding in the village of Rennes-le-Chateau. From Carcassonne leads to her beautiful road, winding through the hills, nearby is the town of Limoux, famous for its sparkling wines (they are much older than champagne)...

...and known since Roman times, tiny thermal resort Ale-les-Bains.

And in Rennes-le-Chateau itself, surrounded by vineyards and thickets of semi-wild figs, there is, at first glance, nothing special. A church dating back to the 5th century (who would be surprised by this?) and rebuilt in the century before last, the most ordinary houses, a village square...

But behind this ordinary façade, real secrets are hidden, almost forgotten by now. end of the 19th century century. Perhaps they would have remained so if not for the local curé Beranger Saunière. While renovating a dilapidated church, he found mysterious scrolls and... away we go! Suddenly and incomprehensibly, the priest who has become rich begins to behave very mysteriously. He restores the church, decorating it, to put it mildly, with non-canonical frescoes and sculptures.

Saunière then builds a tower called the Magdala (clearly an allusion to Mary Magdalene).

He is visited by aristocrats and the powers that be from all over Europe, and relations with the official church become very strange - on the one hand, he is allowed to erect dubious buildings, and on the other, he is denied the last communion... It is still unknown what Saunière found? Treasure hidden by the Templars/Cathars/Merovingian kings/fugitives from the Holy Land? Or did the priest discover another secret that could turn the entire Christian world upside down - about the surviving Christ, Mary Magdalene and their descendants, protected for centuries by the Priory of Sion? It is unlikely that anyone will be able to answer this question. But to this day, lovers of the mysterious and mystical come to the vicinity of Rennes-le-Chateau and try to find the tomb of Christ, the treasure of King Solomon that was not completely dug up by Saunière, and God knows what else... However, in fairness, I will say that there are more simply curious people among the visitors. In a guidebook from seven years ago, I read that the villagers were stunned by the invasion of tourists, and were even afraid of some of the more active ones. Now the locals seem to have gotten used to it and have even learned to take advantage of it: tickets to the Saunière Museum are not cheap, and a cup of coffee in a local cafe costs more than somewhere on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. But this cannot deprive Rennes-le-Chateau of its aura, if not of mystery, then at least of unusualness.

Of course, the Languedoc is not limited to secrets and mysteries. There are many most interesting places, to see which is a real success. Ancient Celts and Romans, knights and powerful kings of the Middle Ages, Huguenots persecuted by Catholics and great artists of the New Age - they all left their mark on the life of Languedoc... But that's another story.

Svetlana Vetka , especially for Etoya.ru

 

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