The Pyrenees Part 2

 

Chateau de Queribus.  One of the benefits of not really having a specific travel plan is that sometimes you come across some amazing sights such as this.

We didn’t know we would be driving by here and at first drove up to the parking lot and were just going to look at it from the car.  But it was too interesting and we bundled up against the strong winds and climbed the path to the top.

A bit of info direct from Wikipedia if you would like to learn more about the castle.

Queribus is one of the "Five Sons of Carcassonne", along with Aguilar, Peyrepertuse, Termes and Puilaurens: five castles strategically placed to defend the French border against the Spanish, until the border was moved in 1659.

It is sometimes regarded as the last Cathar stronghold. After the fall of Montségur in 1244 surviving Cathars gathered together in another mountain-top stronghold on the border of Aragon (the present border between the Aude and the Pyrénées-Orientales).

In 1255 a French army was dispatched to deal with these remaining Cathars, but they slipped away without a fight, probably to Aragon or Piedmont - both regions where Cathar beliefs were still common, and where the Occitan language was spoken.

Quéribus is high and isolated. It stands on top of the highest peak for miles around. In 1951 restoration work on the turret began, and between 1998-2002 a complete restoration of the castle was undertaken: the castle is now accessible to visitors.

The views alone were worth the admission.  We didn’t expect to see this type of detail inside. 

Looking back down at the car park and across the countryside.

You can see another castle on the far hilltop.

A map of the castle or chateau in the area.  The one circled at the bottom was where we were.

Back on the road. 

Queribus from the other side looking across the vineyards.  There are many vineyards in the area and plenty of opportunity for wine tasting if you wish.

Finally we are in Spain.  One of the disadvantages of traveling without a specific plan as we approach Barcelona at rush hour, in the rain, getting dark, without a map of this area  Hey but at least we got to see Sagrada Familia from a distance. (the building with the cranes.)

Now as you know it is just one week until Christmas.  Are you ready?  I will suspend these travel posts for a bit but may be back with something current.  Wishing you a great week ahead.