It is the third of the famous Loire Valley Castles, whose perspective dominates the entire river as it passes through the city of Amboise, in the French department of Indre-et-Loire. The most curious fact about this castle is that the remains of Leonardo da Vinci they rest in his chapel, since during the last years of his life he resided in the Clos-Lucé Castle, in the same city.
Originally medieval, its fortifications began from the XIII century, being the work of King Carlos VIII the first important constructions that were made. Among them are the chapel of Saint-Hubert (1491-1496), located on a large rock and in the outer area of the castle. The name of the chapel is due to the patron saint of hunting, so the reasons for its interior decoration are related to this theme. Regarding the wing of Carlos VIII, made in style Gothic Late (like the chapel), it houses the royal chambers or houses. For its part, the wing of Louis XII was executed in style Renaissance. Outside, the circular towers of Minimes Y Hurtault with covered ramps allowed access to the castle, raised above the river level about 200 meters.
An exquisite collection of furniture Renaissance and Gothic can be admired inside the royal residence. Among the dependencies of the castle, the most featured they are the drummers room, the Council room and the halls of the empire.
Very close to the castle, you can see the mansion that was last home from Leonardo da Vinci to the year 1516. In this, a large part of the models and creations that the creative genius made are currently on display. As a curiosity, an underground passageway connected Leonardo's residence with the castle.
On the outskirts of the city of Amboise, the pagoda of Chanteloup, in a privileged place from which you can see a spectacular panoramic of the Loire valley.
Chateaux of the Loire (April 2024)
- castles
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