Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, dating from the first quarter of the 15th century, is one of the few examples of military construction still standing in the region of Labourd. Originally, the tower had two floors, but old niches were moved to the third level during subsequent reconstruction. This monument illustrates the defensive architecture of the era, with characteristic elements such as the narrow murderers, two of which still remain on the second floor.

In the 16th century, the medieval murderers were replaced by mantle windows, reflecting an evolution of architectural needs and styles. The tower, classified as a Historical Monument by order of 4 June 1925, bears witness to the local military history. Its state of conservation and its successive transformations make it a valuable vestige to understand the adaptations of fortifications between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Located in Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, this castle is part of a regional context marked by historical tensions and defence needs. Labourd, a frontier territory, has often been a place of conflict, which explains the presence of such constructions. Today, the tower remains a symbol of the medieval Basque heritage, accessible to the public with a location deemed very satisfactory (note 8/10).

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