A City of Guarded History

Carcassonne is far and away one of my favorite cities from the trip thus far. This was originally a strategic trading location linking itself to the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees. The location is most well-known for its fortified Roman structures and to the two walls that surround the city. The structures fell into disrepair and were renovated in 1853 by a famous architect at the time, Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. For me personally, one of the main reasons I liked this town was because of the unique historical feel.



Everywhere you walk is within a historical landmark. In fact, the town itself is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO. The old brick and stone streets have been walked on by generations of people, the cathedral that stands tall and proud in front of the gates, and the wall that can be seen from virtually every point in town. Everywhere you go makes you feel like you are a part of history. This feeling mixed with the sadness that this was one of the last spots on the trip really gives Carcassonne a lasting impression in my mind.