Historic fortified town of Carcassonne
Since the pre-Roman period, fortifications have been erected on the hill where Carcassonne is now located. In its present form, it is a remarkable example of a fortified medieval city with an enormous defensive system surrounding the castle and associated main buildings, the streets and the superb Gothic cathedral. Carcassonne also owes its exceptional importance to the long restoration campaign led by Viollet-le-Duc, one of the founders of modern conservation science.
Registration Rationale
The Committee decided to list this property on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv). The historic city of Carcassonne is an excellent example of a fortified medieval city whose enormous defensive system was built on ramparts dating from late antiquity. It owes its exceptional importance to the restoration work undertaken during the second half of the 19th centurye century by Viollet-le-Duc who strongly influenced the evolution of conservation principles and practices.
Text from the World Heritage site.
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