The lower courtyard, between the Porte Saint Jean or St John's Gate (in distance), built 1286-1306, and the dry moat, covering one hectare, at the medieval castle of Chateau-Thierry, Picardy, France. From the 12th century until the 18th this area was used for housing, workshops and cellars and evidence of these buildings remain. The first fortifications on this spur over the river Marne date from the 4th century and the first castle was built in the 9th century Merovingian period by the counts of Vermandois. Thibaud II enlarged the castle in the 12th century and built the Tour Thibaud, and Thibaud IV expanded it significantly in the 13th century to include 17 defensive towers in the walls and an East and South gate. The castle was largely destroyed in the French Revolution after having been a royal palace since 1285. In 1814 it was used as a citadel for Napoleonic troops. Picture by Manuel Cohen
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