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Founded: 12th centuryCategory: Castles and fortifications in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)
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The Château de Murs, perched on the heights of Murs near the Vaucluse mountains, was built between the 12th and 18th centuries.
The oldest remains, dating back to the 12th century, were built by the d'Agoult family as a fortified garrison with ramparts and a tower, now located in the western part of the current castle. Around the same time, a village church served both as a chapel and parish, featuring a small cloister.
In the 13th century, the 'Maison Crillon' was built as a residence for visiting lords. In 1462, the property was transferred to the Astouaud family, who expanded and refined the castle, adding a central keep with a chapel and justice hall. In the Renaissance period, they built a new house beside the Maison Crillon.
In the 18th century, Jean-Baptiste François d’Astouaud, Marquis of Murs, added gardens and a grand iron gate bearing the family coat of arms. By the French Revolution, the castle had fallen into neglect.
Restoration began in the mid-19th century, led by the Vayson family. The poet and artist Paul Vayson, a descendant, described the castle’s haunting beauty, with its ivy-covered walls, crumbling battlements, and nesting swallows.
Complete restoration was achieved in the mid-20th century. Today, the castle remains private and is not open to the public.
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.