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Origin and history

The castle of Caze is a medieval architectural complex located in the commune of Saint-Sulpice-de-Guilleragues, Gironde (Nouvelle-Aquitaine). Built in the 14th century, today only two fragments of round towers belong to the original enclosure. The adjacent buildings, more recent, are distinguished by their warhead or gun windows, typical of post-medieval changes. The building, which historically belonged to the Priory of La Réole between the 11th and 16th centuries, forms a rectangle oriented north-south, with a tower backed to the east.

The remains of the castle are located to the west of the communal territory, along a vicinal road linking the D668 to the village. Inside, the house is divided into three parts connected by large arches. Only the two fragments of round towers and the remains of the medieval enclosure, as well as the plate floor, have been protected since the inscription to the historical monuments by decree of 6 September 2007. The manoeuvring windows and subsequent architectural modifications show an occupation and adaptation of the site well beyond its medieval period.

The fief of the castle of Caze was linked to the Priory of La Reole, an influential religious institution in the region for centuries. This ecclesiastical dependence suggests a role both defensive, residential and perhaps administrative for the castle. The large bays and the rectangle structure indicate an evolution towards less strictly military functions over time, reflecting the social and architectural transformations of the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

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