Deny myself the pleasure to walk through the halls of the old castle is absolutely impossible. Imagination is vividly portrayed balls, hunting, fireworks and other amusements of the court nobility. Into the atmosphere of medieval France may be without the aid of a time machine. Amboise Royal Castle is open to visitors all year round. From time immemorial
August Amboise castle towers over the river Loire. The thick walls, guard towers, massive gates - is how the castle today. Guides know the history of the castle is not worse than his own biography. Tourist falls upon a barrage of information: dates of historical events, the names of the French kings, courtiers, aristocrats titles interspersed with real facts and legends.
In medieval castle belonged to the powerful family of Amboise. Castle in the form in which we now know, began to be built in 1492 on the orders of King Charles VIII. So lock Amboise was one of the residences of French kings. During the French Revolution the castle was badly damaged, but it managed to preserve for posterity. Today is a museum, which is a popular tourist destination. Summer concerts are held in the castle, costume presentation. In Amboise can organize gala dinner or arrange a reception in honor of business partners. Wedding in the Castle Amboise - romantic and not banal.
Lovers of French history will find in the castle Amboise lot of interesting and informative. Tourists, little interested in history, will not have to be bored, too. There is much to look at. The furniture in the castle made of precious wood and artfully decorated with carvings. Canopy beds, chairs, tables, chests, dressers, buffets are admirable. Above the interiors of the castle worked talented wizard. It is interesting to consider the stained glass windows, carpets, tapestries, paintings. Middle Ages and the Renaissance harmoniously with each other. Especially popular with tourists enjoy the fireplace of impressive size, willing to be photographed against the background always abound.
Last refuge of Leonardo da Vinci
Not far from the castle Amboise is a small castle Clos-Luce. It is known that this is where he spent the last years of his life Leonardo da Vinci. The artist arrived in France in 1516 at the invitation of the French King Francis I. The King of France has been extremely generous in relation to Leonardo. He has provided the artist's castle and the household staff, paid him a monthly salary. King was attracted to painting and bought a few paintings by masters, among them the legendary "La Gioconda", which is currently stored in the Louvre.
Francis I like to talk with Leonardo da Vinci. The French king and the Italian painter chatted about art, architecture, strange inventions. From the castle of Amboise castle Clos-Luce, King came to the underpass, which connects them. King spent his childhood in the Clos-Luce, and therefore knew the neighborhood and all the secrets of the castle. It is said that an underground passage still exists. However, it is open to ordinary tourists.
Leonardo da Vinci lived in France for only three years, the artist died in 1519 at the age of 67 years. In France, the popular version that Leonardo da Vinci died at the hands of King Francis I. Modern scholars of Leonardo's claim that this is just a beautiful legend. In fact, he died quietly, surrounded by his servants and disciples. The grave of Leonardo da Vinci is located in one of the chapels adjacent to the Clos-Luce Amboise Royal Castle.
Following genius
Chateau Clos-Luce is open to visitors, there is situated a museum of Leonardo da Vinci. At the entrance guests welcome at the servant of the artist. Admittedly, for its hundred-odd years, it looks just fine - as a young girl. It turns out that in a suit maid disguised as an employee of the museum, which readily hold a tour of the halls of the castle. Here you can get a complete idea of the atmosphere in which Leonardo da Vinci spent the last years of his life. Here's a bedroom with a bed, kitchen with large fireplace and a few furnished rooms. All the interiors recreate the Renaissance.
Particularly interesting to consider a collection of models of machines built from drawings of the Leonardo da Vinci. For a long time these were only drawings on sheets of paper. Modern craftsmen turned them into the model, skillfully made of wood. Before the visitors appear prototype aircraft, helicopters, cars, tanks, movable bridge, the parachute. Considering the work of Leonardo da Vinci, clearly understand that this is the creation of genius. Artist ahead of his time, he was able to look into the distant future - for a few centuries ahead.
Amboise conspiracy
Amboise conspiracy - sad page in the history of the castle. Guides tell visitors about emotionally gripping details of the failed coup. The tragic events occurred in the distant 1560. In those days the French throne was the young King Francis II. He ascended the throne at the age of 16 years after the tragic death of his father on the knight's tournament. Edit the newly independent French king could not, and did not want. Public affairs Francis II to delegate representatives to the powerful family of Guise. Giza were ardent Catholics, especially their strong influence was seen in the area of religious policy. Giza persuaded Francis II to sign the edict, which tightened the persecution of the Huguenots. According to this edict members secret meetings of the Huguenots was waiting for the death penalty. House, where meetings were to be demolished.
Needless to say, that the Huguenots were unhappy with this situation. The opposition made a conspiracy, which later became known Amboise. King Francis II, together with the court was blocked in the castle of Blois, and his close associates were arrested. The conspirators had planned to convince the king to renounce religious persecution and remove themselves from Guise. The plot was discovered, its members took refuge in the castle of Amboise. The instigators were sentenced to death by hanging or decapitation. The sentence was carried out within the walls of the castle Amboise, then the bodies of those executed in the bags thrown into the river Loire. Through the intervention of King's mother, Catherine de 'Medici rulers of the conspiracy Antoine of Navarre and the Prince of Conde, though, were arrested, but escaped punishment.
Walking through the town of Amboise
Tour of the castles located in the valley of the Loire river - one of the most popular among tourists who travel to France. Visit the castle Amboise necessarily included in the program. Organized excursions accompanied by professional guides are good, but the time to inspect the castle is limited. This major drawback can be easily corrected. Take the car hire, equip terrain map and go explore the Loire chateaux themselves. One only Amboise can spend the whole day and not get bored with this for a minute.
Examine Amboise castle itself - a fascinating exercise. You can look at the most remote corners of it, scrutinizing the smallest details of interiors. Do not miss the opportunity to impress itself on the background of historical rarities, make excellent photos for home album. In the souvenir shop selling all kinds of souvenirs with heraldic paraphernalia. Postpone the purchase of souvenirs to commemorate the visit of the castle Amboise not worth it, in Paris, such trinkets just do not find.
Walk outside the castle on cobbled streets of the town of Amboise will tickle pleasure. Just a few blocks from the castle Amboise can find a small cozy cafe and delicious dinner. After eating a pleasure to sit on the sunny terrace, drinking hot coffee and watch the locals. Life in Amboise calm and unhurried. The contrast with the fussy and restless Paris obvious