60 artisans, 20 years and counting: The castle being built like it’s 1230
The Guedelon Castle project in France is a long-term historical experiment where artisans are building a 13th-century castle using only period-accurate tools and techniques. Over 25 years into the project, it has become a major site for archaeological research and traditional craftsmanship.
Why it matters
It serves as a unique living laboratory for understanding medieval construction methods and sustainable building practices.
More than 25 years ago, a group of history lovers in quiet forest of France's Burgundy region decided to build a brand-new medieval castle from scratch. However, their condition was that everything had to be done as it would have been in the 13th century.Today, that project, Guedelon Castle, has become one of France's most remarkable historical experiments. The castle is, however, still not fully complete. But after more than two decades of work it now stands with walls, towers, a great hall, chapel, kitchens and other medieval features. It has also become a centre for archaeological research, traditional craftsmanship and sustainable building techniques.When the work began in 1997, very few people believed such an ambitious project could succeed. The site was an abandoned quarry surrounded by forest.
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