Château de la Marthonye

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Ministère de la Culture, in French. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Ministère de la Culture; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

History

In the 13th century, the castle depended on the viscounty of Limoges and was held of the king of France. It defended the region from Thiviers to Brantôme and Nontron. No doubt an earlier fortress existed before the 15th century, as evidenced by some remains of tower. The present castle dates from the end of the 15th century. A main dwelling flanked by two square towers and a round tower crowned with machicolations constitutes an initial construction to which was grafted, in the 17th and 18th centuries, a second residence which replaced part of the original castle destroyed by the English. The 15th-century castle presents all the characteristics of the gentlemen's residences built at that period in Périgord. It was conceived to combine the concern for comfortable habitation with the necessity of defence. The residence could defend itself against armed bands and the pillaging of brigands. At this period, the building consisted of a rectangular main dwelling flanked, at the angles of one of the long sides, by two square towers. A circular tower containing the staircase defended the centre of the opposite face. In the first half of the 17th century, after the Wars of Religion, a large residence was annexed. The builder connected these new dwellings to the old buildings by means of a staircase with straight flights supported by basket-handle arches. On the ground floor, an arcaded gallery opens onto the courtyard. In the 18th century were added a large corner pavilion on the gardens, and a motif of entrance portico with pediment and attributes on the rear façade.