Vaumarcus Castle is a medieval castle, which hosts today a shopping center. Vaumarcus is a good example of the transformation, which took place in most castles in the 13th century when they were protected to defend agains new weapons, such as throwing machines.
There was initially an entrance to the castle more than 7 m above ground level. It was undoubtedly reached from the outside by a wooden stairs, which were removed in danger. The kitchen was on the ground floor.
The family of Vaumarcus has experienced financial difficulties for a long time. Pierre Vaumarcus sold the castle and the territories to the Count Rollin of Neuchâtel. He strengthened the primitive construction by erecting a gothic gate on the ground floor, with a drawbridge in front.
The castle Vaumarcus was besieged by the Swiss army after the Battle of Grandson in 1476. The old castle was rebuilt after 1476; the new castle, which is located in the north-east, was surrounded by a terrace rebuilt in 1773.
Today, the castle has an international central administration, a family and gastronomic restaurant and a cultural center.
References: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.