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Founded: 12th centuryCategory: Castles and fortifications in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)
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The Château de Charance, a former 12th-century fortress, is located in Gap (Hautes-Alpes). Renovated multiple times, it has housed the administrative offices of the Écrins National Park since 1973. Its gardens host the Alpine Plant Conservatory.
Partially listed as a historic monument in 1987, the château was owned by bishops until the French Revolution. It was looted during the Wars of Religion and rebuilt several times. In 1791, it was auctioned as national property. In the 19th century, the estate was transformed with English-style gardens, cascades, and a lake.
Gap acquired the château in 1973, making it public. The terraced garden, covering 9,000 m², was labeled a 'Remarkable Garden' in 2005. It features fountains, canals, and a collection of 1,000 rose varieties, along with historic fruit trees. At 1,100m altitude, the site includes wooded areas and the Gap Canal.
The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.
The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.
Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.