Château de Montaigu, Montaigu-Vendée, France

In the 9th century, a wooden castrum was built on a rocky promontory to fend off Viking raids near Durivum (Saint-Georges-de-Montaigu). Later, a stone keep was added with strategic upgrades, including a drawbridge. The Montaigu family, later known as Belleville, pledged loyalty to the Plantagenets. Over time, the property changed hands through marriages and alliances, including a notable period of privateering by Jeanne de Belleville. The fortifications of Château de Montaigu were enhanced in the 15th century under Louis XI's guidance to protect against Breton threats.

Some visible remnants still exist. Originally, there was an oval-shaped enclosure with about ten towers and an entrance gatehouse located in the northeast. The fortified town was situated to the north of the fortress and extended slightly to the east. A dry moat separated the fortified town from the fortress. A barbican protected the entrance gatehouse. A Romanesque keep of the Niort type, with its courtyard and a small enclosure, was located in the castle's courtyard, roughly in the middle in the north-south direction and facing west.

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

samuel vrignaud (2 years ago)
Too bad the ramparts are a bit abandoned

Les Atypiques (2 years ago)
it is not a castle. the view is beautiful and the walls nice

Angel C (2 years ago)
A beautiful castle for a nice visit ? It's great what they offer for young and old Disguises and puzzles ? The village is also very well preserved and rich in discovery Bravo for this restoration ? Plan a picnic on the other hand ?

Château de Montaigu

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Church of St Donatus