A Thousand Years of European Castles

Imbued with mystery and grandeur, the fortified castles testify to medieval civilization and cover a complex reality. By traveling from castle to castle, from the borders of Spain to the mountains of Switzerland, from the Scottish moors to the banks of the Dordogne, and thanks to 3D models, this film retraces a thousand years of medieval military construction...

Construction methods and siege techniques will constantly evolve, in a frantic race for optimal effectiveness against invaders.
In the 11th century, the first castles appear that can be described as "forts", impregnable with their ramparts and their corner towers. But this military building is also the residence of authority, of the lord. It became the symbol of feudalism in full development...
From the 14th century, the fortified castles lost their importance in front of the efficiency of the artillery which now broke all the walls and the military architects adapted the shape of the castles to thwart the new siege techniques.
The 16th and 17th centuries mark the end of fortified castles. The art of war evolved along with social structures. Now fortified cities and numerous armies are more effective in defending the kingdom. The castles gradually became the residence of lords whose authority gave way to that of the King. They are transformed into luxurious residences. The castle then no longer has anything “strong”.

Director: Serge TIGNÈRES & Benoît POISSON

[andrewjones]

Why hasn't this come across my feed before? I love medieval history, especially castles, their construction, and functions.

[jokir]

I remember a few years ago I met an American on the beach at Bamburgh in Northumberland (England) and he was in complete awe at the castle rising out of the dunes. Literally he was awestruck - virtually speechless - as he must have walked the beach and wasn’t prepared for this massive imposing castle to appear. It sort of hit home to me that as a native to these parts I have always taken the numerous castles up here for granted. They are just there. Made me appreciate them a bit more when you realise not everyone has them on their doorstep. My favourite up here is Dunstanburgh - total wreck but a great coastal walk to reach it. Need to use your imagination as to how it originally looked but that is half the fun. The intact ones just don’t do it for me. I like the ones that have seen a bit of ‘action’.

[_ArsNova]

Fantastic hour-long documentary. Love that chunks of great information like this are just freely available on YouTube.

[cesarlorenzo_._]

Carcassone is A MUST see…it’s really close to Toulouse and is as if you entered a modern day inside medieval era! Great restaurants and lodges! Actually I had one of my birthdays there…great memories! …👌👌👌

[marssalm]

Chapeau. Formidable. On en peut beaucoup apprendre. 500 ans. A vrai dire, c'est peu pour bâtir tant de merveilles. Je pensais que les chateaux - fortresses existaient depuis les temps des romans ou des grandes migrations du nord et du lest. Beaucoup serait perdu, mais grâce à Viollet-le-Duc, il ne faut pas rester dans l'effort de l'imagination. Domage que l'enorme église de Cluny en Bourgogne n'ait pas été restaurée jusqu'à nos jours.

[Henie-xm]

I remember that in Spain in the middle of the Iberian peninsula there is a region called Castilla which literally means "land of castles".

[erickelly]

Try to imagine just how utterly amazing these Castles looked back in the time they were first created... I mean even today many hundreds of years later they still look quite impressive. Incredible think what mankind was capable of so long ago. Surely I'm not the only person to fantasy about being able to go back in time (temporarily of course...) just to experience the reality the people of different time periods experienced. These Historians do a greet job at deciphering what life was like however.

[patriciajrs]

The best thing about this documentary is the idealized fantasy that helped, and spirited the restoring of medieval castles. That makes fantasy worthwhile.

[thibaudduhamel]

One of the best preserved keeps in France is the big round keep at Chateaudun, which dates back to the XIIIth century, and is an absolute marvel to look at and visit. (the castle itself is also superb, although much changed and improved in the XVth and XVIth centuries)

[yolandacroes]

A most interesting and enjoyable documentary. Thank you.

[france]

It’s so fascinating to learn and understand the history of castles of different era. I saw Carcassonne castle twice. It’s very impressive.

[pattskatoey]

I enjoyed watching this. Some really nice castles.

[leostgeorge]

I have always been in aww at the beauty and granger of the castle. As a craftsman of stained glass the beauty and splendor of the windows is my greatest fascination. i have made many windows, lamps and have been commissioned to build pieces. But in my mind i can never reach the heights of the masters of crafts of old. I have even reproduced Tiffany pieces. but i am still in aww at the beauty of the castle and church works.

[rationalmuscle]

Funny thing: their sense of aesthetics and architecture is superior to many of our modern-day high-tech atrocities. A real testament to their ingenuity, engineering, and back-breaking labor.

[aiwithbri]

I have watched MANY videos on castles and I must remark, this is one of the most thorough and engaging documentaries made. The fact that it covers such a long period of time and yet explains so much is remarkable.
Glad to watch this one again and hope I don't wait as long next time!

[veronicaroach]

The final comments on the history of how these buildings evolved over time was very enlightening, and something I had never considered. They started as ways to protect a Lord from his enemies, being largely a battle hardened place to hide out, then evolved gradually into homes with battle elements, and later by the 19th century became entirely prestige 'fortified' giant mansions designed to impress but retaining all the glorified elements of a castle. 'Real' castles basically became unnecessary at some point but by the 'Golden Age' they were rooted in the romantic notions of chivalry & knights in shining armor, Queen Guinevere, King Arthur of our children's stories come from the same history. Now I must remember to ask myself what was this crenellated building built FOR & I think that means I will ignore all the more recent castles, beautiful as they are, & concentrate only on the pre 1700's as being 'real' - ie seriously fortified places. I learn something new every day !

[juh]

Simplesmente um sonho esse canal!! Eu amo esses vídeos e, a cada vídeo novo é uma viagem nos meus pensamentos!! Obrigada por proporcionar tantas viagens assim!! 🙏 Vim pelo canal do Beto Locão e amei o conteúdo aqui 👏👏👏🙋‍♀️🌹🌻🌹🌻

[daya]

I love medieval castles if they are authentic from that era not the recently built. There are magical impressive monuments.

[stevej]

If you are interested in castles the best place in the world to see them is Wales. There are seven within 10 miles of where i live, not royal castles but actual fighting castles in various states of repair.

[godofgods]

I literally love these old European castles are truly amazing and mind boggling beauty indeed just everything about them how they was designed and all God Bless