Château de Valon

Lacroix-Barrez, France

Château de Valon offers a sumptuous panoramic view of the Gorges de la Truyère. Since the 12th Century, the feudal castle, built like an eagle's nest on the rocky mound, has dominated the Gorges de la Truyère. This mediaeval site is classed as one of the most picturesque in the Aveyron. Traditional schist stone houses with lauze covered roofs overlook two magnificent valleys. The château is reputed for the tales recounted for children, the chapel, a symbol of silence and peace, and the keep, which takes on its full dimension when viewed from the inner courtyard. The château contains three beautiful superimposed rooms. A surprising staircase leads to the terrace, from which there is an enchanting view of the Gorges de la Truyère.

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Address

Valon, Lacroix-Barrez, France
See all sites in Lacroix-Barrez

Details

Founded: 12th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

More Information

www.tourisme-aveyron.com

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Abbey Church of Saint Foy (24,2 km)
Rodez Cathedral (43,3 km)
Rodez Episcopal Palace (43,2 km)
Château de Belcastel (45,4 km)
Château d'Estaing (20,7 km)
Château de Sévérac (57,6 km)
Château de Bournazel (40,8 km)
Château d'Entraygues (11,8 km)
Bonneval Abbey (23,3 km)

User Reviews

Andrew Burns (6 months ago)
Beautiful place. Great local ice cream in the coffee shop
Alan Hughes (6 months ago)
Fantastic little castle, with charmingly reconstructed interiors and fantastic views from the top of the donjon (although the narrow spiral staircase isn't for the faint of heart). Great spot, cute little village with toilets and picnicking spots.
Josephine Gerrie (2 years ago)
Just love these old places
Lowan Sist (3 years ago)
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! Amazing unique, magical place in the clouds
Hadrien Salmon (5 years ago)
Great views on the Truyère valley from the dungeon's top. The rest of the castle (3 rooms and a chapel) is being restored but kids will love a good story (11 AM) wearing costumes from the middle ages. The castle is equipped for picnics and the road to and from is scenic.
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Historic Site of the week

Palazzo Colonna

The Palazzo Colonna is a palatial block of buildings built in part over ruins of an old Roman Serapeum, and has belonged to the prestigious Colonna family for over twenty generations.

The first part of the palace dates from the 13th century, and tradition holds that the building hosted Dante in his visit to Rome. The first documentary mention notes that the property hosted Cardinal Giovanni and Giacomo Colonna in the 13th century. It was also home to Cardinal Oddone Colonna before he ascended to the papacy as Martin V (1417–1431).

With his passing, the palace was sacked during feuds, and the main property passed into the hands of the Della Rovere family. It returned to the Colonna family when Marcantonio I Colonna married Lucrezia Gara Franciotti Della Rovere, the niece of pope Julius II. The Colonna"s alliance to the Habsburg power, likely protected the palace from looting during the Sack of Rome (1527).

Starting with Filippo Colonna (1578–1639) many changes have refurbished and create a unitary complex around a central garden. Architects including Girolamo Rainaldi and Paolo Marucelli labored on specific projects. Only in the 17th and 18th centuries were the main facades completed. Much of this design was completed by Antonio del Grande (including the grand gallery), and Girolamo Fontana (decoration of gallery). In the 18th century, the long low facade designed by Nicola Michetti with later additions by Paolo Posi with taller corner blocks (facing Piazza Apostoli) was constructed recalls earlier structures resembling a fortification.

The main gallery (completed 1703) and the masterful Colonna art collection was acquired after 1650 by both the cardinal Girolamo I Colonna and his nephew the Connestabile Lorenzo Onofrio Colonna and includes works by Lorenzo Monaco, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Palma the Elder, Salviati, Bronzino, Tintoretto, Pietro da Cortona, Annibale Carracci (painting of The Beaneater), Guercino, Francesco Albani, Muziano and Guido Reni. Ceiling frescoes by Filippo Gherardi, Giovanni Coli, Sebastiano Ricci, and Giuseppe Bartolomeo Chiari celebrate the role of Marcantonio II Colonna in the battle of Lepanto (1571). The gallery is open to the public on Saturday mornings.

The older wing of the complex known as the Princess Isabelle"s apartments, but once housing Martin V"s library and palace, contains frescoes by Pinturicchio, Antonio Tempesta, Crescenzio Onofri, Giacinto Gimignani, and Carlo Cesi. It contains a collection of landscapes and genre scenes by painters like Gaspard Dughet, Caspar Van Wittel (Vanvitelli), and Jan Brueghel the Elder.

Along with the possessions of the Doria-Pamphilij and Pallavacini-Rospigliosi families, this is one of the largest private art collections in Rome.

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