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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The tower of Marzes is an old residential tower that was part of a castle in the 13th century. It is located in the commune of Saint-Cernin, in the department of Cantal, in the region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. This medieval dungeon, now isolated, bears witness to the defensive and residential architecture of the time, with its five levels of housing and its typical amenities such as latrines in corbellation.

The castle was mentioned for the first time in the 13th century, when the local lords strengthened their positions by building fortresses. The tower, initially accessible by a hatch from the first floor, illustrates the defence techniques of the time, with a vaulted and blind ground floor to protect itself from intrusions.

The Marzes Tower was listed as historic monuments by order of 11 June 1964, thereby recognizing its heritage value. It overshadows a tributary of the Dory, which probably gave it a strategic role in monitoring the surroundings and controlling local communication channels.

Architecturally, the tower is distinguished by its five levels, of which the second and third were equipped with corbelled latrines, a rare comfort for the time. These details, combined with its official inscription, make it a remarkable example of the medieval castral heritage of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

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