Carcassonne Castle is a historical and architectural marvel. With a strategical positioning so great its land has served fortified villages, towns, and cities over the past 2300 years. It has seen sieges, fires, crusades, papal visits, royal visits, and has at times been the capital of the Aude region in France. Where it differs from other castles other than its huge size, is its ability to grow throughout the ages. Most castles built in the 11th century have fallen into disrepair or even ruins, Carcassonne City has not only grown, but most extraordinarily, is still inhabited. Not only does this beastly construction strike wonder into those driving by, it actively receives up to 4.5 million visitors a year, which puts it in the top 5 most visited national monuments in France. For the country that receives more tourism than any other country in the world, this is no small feat.
Carcassonne Tourist Shop App
App prototype can be found in the link below.
https://xd.adobe.com/embed/9b225b92-3b8a-4436-983f-b9e2b07c7b5c-ce71/?hints=off
Link to app prototype (add 4 red shields to basket).
Carcassonne Castle Location
Carcassonne Tour Virtual Reality Experience
Below is a prototype demonstration of a virtual tour experience.
This is video captured from an online game with a castle most resembling Carcassonne castle. This footage was captured and edited by myself to give it a more realistic and old style look.
Interactive Tour
The tour can be experienced in a number of ways. The most interactive way would be using using a virtual reality headset and an interaction device such as that shown opposite (this is my undergraduate project; VR controls for exploring and interacting with an environment).
This can however also be done of a computer monitor or tv, and even with a keyboard and mouse or games controller.
Key Facts
THE WALLS AROUND THE CASTLE ARE NEARLY 2 MILES LONG
THE CASTLE HAS AN IMPRESSIVE 52 TOWERS
IT IS THE LARGEST INHABITED CASTLE IN THE WORLD
4.5 MILLION TOURISTS VISIT EVERY YEAR
THIS “INPENETRABLE” CASTLE DOES NOT HAVE A WELL