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Origin and history

The Romanesque tower of Escales is a medieval building located in the village of Escales, in the department of Aude, in the Occitanie region. Dating from the 11th century, it stands at the top of a hill, about 100 meters above the village. This strategic position allowed for signal communication with other towers, such as Montrabech. The tower, of a barlong plan, now peaks at fourteen meters, although it probably misses a floor.

Access to the lower room is via a breach, perhaps the location of an old door. This room is vaulted with a crib in the middle of the hangar, with births located 4.50 meters from the ground. An inner cornice, profiled in quarter round, runs under these births. A narrow passage through the vault at the northeast corner provides access to the upper floor. The only old bay is a narrow window, with an interior brazing, located in the eastern wall.

The Romanesque Tower of Escales was listed as historical monuments by decree of 19 November 1942. Today it belongs to the commune and bears witness to the medieval defensive architecture of the region. Its precise location is indicated as being in Escales, with an approximate address to 3 La Crouzette, in the department of Aude.

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