Angers Castle

Angers Castle is located in the west of France in the city of the same name. It towers over the Men River at the top of a hill and is the highest point of the area. The original purpose of the building was to protect the Romans from enemy attacks. Later, the castle was rebuilt into a luxurious palace. Angers Castle is an interweaving of architectural styles and historical events.

This architectural masterpiece was built in the 11th century on the site of a wooden fortification. After some time, the castle was strengthened by completing 17 tall cylinder towers, which were interconnected by stone walls. By the end of the 13th century, the castle had taken on a new look, the towers looked like chess pieces of a rook. In order to save money, one wall was left open with access to the river. It was believed that an attack from this side would be impossible. The castle walls stretched for almost a kilometer in length, and the total area of the building reached 25 square kilometers.

After the castle was built, it turned into a "place of departure" for the English kings, in particular, Richard I the Lionheart stayed and negotiated here. After his death, the castle was seized by the French King Philippe II. The territory of Angen passed to France. During its existence, the Angers Castle became a place of discord between England and France several times. In the 15th century, it was the center of cultural life, where jousting tournaments were held.

Inside the castle there was a chapel, chapels, royal apartments, gardens. When Henry III ascended the throne, it was ordered to destroy the towers, reducing them to the level of the walls. The material from the towers was used to build the streets of the city. In the following years, the castle lost its strategic purpose and became abandoned. Later, a prison was opened in the castle.

During World War II, the territory of the Angers Castle was occupied by the Nazis, becoming the center of the Gestapo.

Nowadays, the Angers Castle is famous for the tapestry "Apocalypse", which depicts St. John the Theologian. The total length of the canvases is 144 meters, the height is about 5 meters. To accommodate it, an additional building was completed – the Gallery of the Apocalypse. The very large tapestry "Apocalypse", which took five years to create, is currently on the list of wonders of France.

The entrance to the middle of the castle is the gate of Rene the Good – Chatelet with three towers. The chapel of St. Genevieve has been preserved inside the building, built in the Gothic style. Adjacent to it is a two-story Royal Box.

A beautiful garden with floral arrangements is also offered for inspection.