Approaching the market place. Monpazier, The Dordogne, France.
Looking to the medieval arcades that surround the market place.
It seems such an odd alignment of buildings, the way they just touch on their corners, but it does allow an unimpeded route around to the left, the junction of two of the town's main thoroughfares.
The gap between the buildings where the gentleman with the red polo top is approaching, is perhaps a later refinement in this perfectly planned town. It is mirrored by a similar gap across the square. The theory is that this was to enable armed horsemen to enter and exit the square at speed, without having to dismount - or lower their lances. Very useful at times of civil unrest if it were necessary to clear the area.
Thank you to the excellent and wonderfully detailed web-site by Michael Delahaye; well worth a look.
Approaching the market place. Monpazier, The Dordogne, France.
Looking to the medieval arcades that surround the market place.
It seems such an odd alignment of buildings, the way they just touch on their corners, but it does allow an unimpeded route around to the left, the junction of two of the town's main thoroughfares.
The gap between the buildings where the gentleman with the red polo top is approaching, is perhaps a later refinement in this perfectly planned town. It is mirrored by a similar gap across the square. The theory is that this was to enable armed horsemen to enter and exit the square at speed, without having to dismount - or lower their lances. Very useful at times of civil unrest if it were necessary to clear the area.
Thank you to the excellent and wonderfully detailed web-site by Michael Delahaye; well worth a look.