Photography

bucolic_frolic

(56,002 posts)

2. Must have exploited and killed a lot of labor in its building

Sat May 23, 2026, 01:19 PM

May 23

Wondering how they did it I came across this modern effort.
https://www.guedelon.fr/en/
In the heart of Guédelon forest, in an abandoned quarry, a team of master-builders is building a 13th-century castle from scratch. Quarrymen, stonemasons, carpenter-joiners, woodcutters, blacksmiths, tilers, carters and rope makers…are working together to revive heritage craft skills and to shed light on the world of medieval construction.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gu%C3%A9delon_Castle
Old tall castles—like the colossal keeps of Coucy in France (180 feet) or the White Tower in London (90 feet)—were built without electricity or modern machinery. Builders used thousands of laborers, human-powered cranes, lime mortar, and specialized scaffolding to conquer these heights.

Human powered cranes must have been interesting. Specialized scaffolding?

As always nice pics - you get to explore the world!

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Schloss Neuschwanstein [View all] Old Crank May 23 OP

Your photos are beautiful. Diamond_Dog May 23 #1

Yes Old Crank May 23 #6

Must have exploited and killed a lot of labor in its building bucolic_frolic May 23 #2

No doubt. Old Crank May 23 #8

Never made it past the bridge angrycaveman May 23 #3

The trail is a bit sketchy Old Crank May 23 #9

These are just wonderful, and thank you for sharing them, my dear Old Crank! CaliforniaPeggy May 23 #4

Don't sell yourself short Old Crank May 23 #10

Aw, thank you! CaliforniaPeggy May 23 #14

Wonderful photos, Old Crank. brer cat May 23 #5

Thanks Old Crank May 23 #11

Been there. Your photos are better. surfered May 23 #7

Thanks Old Crank May 23 #12

😁 surfered May 23 #36

I have been to Neuschwanstein, and your photos are amazing FakeNoose May 23 #13

It is quite the edifice. Old Crank May 23 #17

That structure is incredible!! AZ8theist May 23 #15

Thanks. Old Crank May 23 #23

True. AZ8theist May 23 #35

I'm in the same boat ); Old Crank Sunday #37

Beautiful! Nt Phoenix61 May 23 #16

Thanks Old Crank May 23 #24

Just WOW! OGBuzz May 23 #18

I was impressed in 1977 when I first saw it. Old Crank May 23 #25

Amazing what they were capable of constructing before modern tools and machines. OGBuzz May 23 #30

What a great photographic opportunity PatSeg May 23 #19

Yes it is a pretty castle Old Crank May 23 #26

I was there about 60 years ago as a young child. MLAA May 23 #20

You are welcome Old Crank May 23 #27

Why am I hearing pipe organ music in my head? orangecrush May 23 #21

Ludwig II was a fan of Wagner's music Old Crank May 23 #28

Nailed it! orangecrush May 23 #34

I was born not very far from there. tavernier May 23 #22

Keine Ahnung Old Crank May 23 #29

I believe Disney modeled Cinderella's castle after Neuschwanstein castle. ... aggiesal May 23 #31

Yes he did Old Crank May 23 #32

Excellent angles all Old Crank. Especially "The waterfall under the bridge" - that's a great shot! George McGovern May 23 #33