One of the most unique projects in the world was implemented in France. Twenty years ago, an archaeologist from the French city of Auxerre came up with a crazy idea that found followers. He wanted to build a castle according to the plans of the fortifications that were built by Philip Auguste before the English conquest of France. Today these castles are part of the country's national heritage.
The only condition that the archaeologist set for his workers is complete authenticity. During the construction, the same technologies were used as in the Middle Ages.
The project of building a castle using technologies that were used 800 years ago was called "Gidelon".
The construction site was not chosen by chance. It was necessary to find a place where you can get everything you need for construction. After all, the workers did not have modern equipment for transporting materials. An oak forest grows not far from the construction site, which is used as a source of timber. Stones are also mined here: red sandstone for the walls and white limestone for the windows.
Water is an irreplaceable resource in construction. Fortunately, there is a small spring right in the courtyard of the castle. For its production, it was necessary to drill a well 6 meters deep.
Florian Renusi, who is responsible for the implementation of the project, claims that during the entire construction period no modern technology was used. All techniques and mechanisms are the same as 8 centuries ago.
No electricity, no motors, no computers, no drills, no explosives … All work is carried out exclusively with the use of the power of workers and horses, which are indispensable on the site. As auxiliary tools - stone mortars and linen cables.
This project has already allowed workers to draw many conclusions about how people built buildings centuries ago. Today, those who started the construction of Gidelon 20 years ago are teaching young workers the ancient technology.
Workers provide scientists with a lot of useful information that they have learned in the process. In addition, more than three hundred thousand visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the 13th century every year.
Masonry mortar is made from sand and slaked lime, which are mined nearby. The stones are cut with a chisel and hammer. All workers work harmoniously because their work is interconnected. Materials are transported on carts made of wood, built according to medieval technologies.
Blacksmiths forge tools that are used in construction and decoration.
At the construction site there is work for both bricklayers and tailors.
The textiles for the decoration of the castle are painted with natural pigments.
A separate type of work on a construction site is weaving ropes and ropes. Gidelon is being built stone by stone by hundreds of workers.
The construction of Gidelon proves that the methods used in the Middle Ages are still productive today. All works are environmentally friendly and cause minimal damage to the environment.
Sometimes new technologies make a person forget the knowledge and secrets that the masters have kept for centuries. Do not give up the heritage of your ancestors!
