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Just few hundreds years ago, fortifications were the
inevitable part of every important city in Europe. They were not only a
symbol of power, they were built with a purpose to protect the highest
officials and most important persons in case of war.
Fortresses were build in very well chosen locations. Usually, architects
and engineers who were building them choose the most inapproachable
place which could be easily cut from the rest of the world if city was
attacked.
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Those buildings were designed and prepared to endure and persist longest
and most difficult sieges which could be imagined in that time.
An island sounds like a perfect location for building a fortification
and if this island is a heavy rocky formation by a chance, then you do
not have to think twice while deciding about the placement of the
fortress.
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One of such locations is Mont Saint-Michel island which can be found in
Normandy, France. It is pretty close to the land, only a half of a mile
away.
Mont Saint-Michel has been recognized as a perfect place for
fortifications hundreds years ago when it was used by Romans in 6th and
7th century.
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Since then, it has became a favorite place of different lords, kings and
monarchs who used this place as their recourse during the wars.
The first building on the Mont Saint-Michel was an oratory built on the
top of this rocky island by bishop Aubert in 1017.
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Later, this building was improved and expanded several times by
different rulers. After the French Revolution this fortress was
converted into a prison but later it was restored as a part of national
architectural treasure and protected by UNESCO and listed as one of the
World Heritage Sites.
Today, it is one of the most beautiful fortifications and a place where
plenty of tourists travel to see this glorious site.
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