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Origin and history

The Puy-Charraud Gate, located in La Souterraine (Creuse, Nouvelle-Aquitaine), is a vestige of the medieval fortifications of the city. Built in granite, it probably dates from the thirteenth century, although some sources evoke the fourteenth century. It belonged to the second enclosure, rebuilt after the destruction of the first in 1207 by Hugues IX de Lusignan, Count of the Marche. This door, with the Saint John gate, is one of the only two preserved accesses of the enclosure.

The door consists of a vaulted passage in a low cradle, once closed by a harrow and a broken hanger door. One of the piers houses a spiral staircase leading to an old guard corps. Unlike the Saint John Gate, it had no drawbridge. Its architecture reflects medieval defensive techniques, with granite walls and a reinforced closure system.

The fortifications of La Souterraine were built in several phases. The first enclosure, built in the 12th century by the monks of Saint-Martial, was razed in 1207. A second enclosure was erected in the thirteenth century after the city was recovered by the abbey in 1226. The ramparts were consolidated between the 14th and 16th centuries, with additions such as ditches and palissades. Today, only the Puy-Charraud Gate, the Saint John Gate, the Vigne Tower and some fragments of walls remain.

The Puy-Charraud Gate was listed as historic monuments on 17 June 1941, recognizing its heritage importance. The remains of the ramparts, partially integrated into later constructions, bear witness to the urban and defensive evolution of La Souterraine. The city, strategic in the Limous Marche, underwent several seats (notably by Henry II Plantagenet in 1170 and 1180), explaining the progressive strengthening of its defences.

Over the centuries, the enclosure lost its military utility. From the 17th century, the ditches were filled to create streets. In the 18th century, part of the ramparts was sold and demolished, leaving only two doors and some remains. The Puy-Charraud Gate, less remodeled than the Saint John Gate, thus offers a more authentic example of local medieval defensive architecture.

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