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Origin and history

The Grand Puits de Carcassonne, located in the medieval city, dates from the 14th century, as evidenced by its original margin. This well was designed to allow three people to draw water simultaneously through an ingenious system: three monolithic piles, two of which still remain, supported beams connected to pulleys. The margin, with a diameter of 2.60 metres, ran a 12.50 metre deep seam structure, which itself was dug into an irregular rock. Historical measurements showed variations in depth, with 39.45 metres recorded in 1808 compared to 30.20 metres recorded by Viollet-le-Duc around 1858.

The extraction mechanism was based on bronze pulleys sealed in the bay, optimizing access to water for the inhabitants of the City. This well, which was listed as a Historic Monument in 1926, illustrates medieval hydraulic techniques and the adaptation of infrastructures to collective needs. Its current location, at the end of Viollet-le-Duc Street, makes it a key vestige of the urban history of Carcassonne, property of the commune and still visible Place du Grand Puits.

When it was built in the 14th century, the well responded to a vital challenge: to provide drinking water in a densely populated fortress where resources were limited. The design for simultaneous drawing reflects an advanced community organization, typical of medieval cities where access to water determined survival. Subsequent modifications, such as the addition of bronze pulleys, show a technical evolution over the centuries, without altering the original structure.

The variable depth of the well, observed during successive curing, could be explained by sedimentary deposits or maintenance work. The data of Viollet-le-Duc, an architect famous for his restorations in the 19th century, offer a valuable testimony on the state of the monument at that time. Today, the Great Well remains a remarkable example of medieval engineering, reflecting the know-how of the builders of the period and the strategic importance of water in fortified cities.

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