How to Build a Medieval Castle | Medieval Castle Guédelon | Europe To The Maxx

Europe's biggest medieval castle building project - The Guédelon in France - has been under construction for over 20 years now. In the Middle Ages, huge castles were built without any of the advantages of modern machinery. So how did people back then actually construct these mighty fortresses?
Euromaxx reporter Hendrik Welling traveled to Treigny in France to find out.
#Medieval #Castle #Euromaxx
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[@truckinphilosopher3775]

It is neither genius nor madness, it is.... Awesome.

[@michaelzajac5284]

Indeed, exactly awesome.

[@juliusnepos6013]

Yes

[@AverageUsernames]

Madness comb-...

[@arnabchatterjee1511]

This is an absolute genius. We have forgotten so many artisans skills here in India. This project is France can inspire other countries to also do something to revive the forgotten skills.

[@hellomate639]

I'm thinking automation will allow us to spend our time on projects more like this one. People ask, "what will happen when A.I. automates all the jobs away?" I say, "we will go back to doing things we did 2,000 years ago, except with better medicine and the advantages of technology."

[@thatdutchguy2882]

Maybe build an old Indian palace with military barracks and gardens (including the water works) only using the technology of that time period. It would attract many tourist from around the globe. That's jobs and much needed revenue after this damn COVID-19 pandemic is over.

[@CrazyBomber22]

@@thatdutchguy2882 This sounds like Minecraft but in real life. Love the idea :)

[@archockencanto1645]

Don't forget the main reason for the loss of knowledge.

[@dv9239]

@@thatdutchguy2882 an Indian palace will take a lifetime to build tho 😂 so I don't think anybody is up for that long term project If historically speaking the tiniest of forts in India took around 300 years to build or more

[@TractorsNStuff]

I just watched a 5 part series by Absolute History, where 3 people spent 6 months immersed in this project. At the time of this comment, it was released 4 weeks ago. The castle in THIS video has come along way from THAT series. An awesome project I desire to see for sure. It was good to see how much they have gotten done, even in reverse order.

[@jazzochannel]

same

[@armalvior]

Ruth, Tom and Peter!!!!

[@camembertdalembert6323]

I visited it 2 years ago. You have to visit while it is under construction, this is the most interesting part of the project.

[@dweuromaxx]

It definitely is! It almost feels like going back to the actual Middle Ages.

[@lelannoubrieg1924]

Grace Asher what Putin as to do with this? You must be a us citizen to said that kind of stupid thing! stop watching fox news and open a book for once.

[@ColeForged]

@@lelannoubrieg1924 most likely their profile name was putin before but is changed now.

[@NEY-uu3lx]

@@lelannoubrieg1924 discriminating againts american citizens. whats your problem?

[@kmac9748]

Guedelon is an inspired undertaking and the skills and techniques learned will allow the craftsmen and craftswomen to use that learning to make careers with their new skills, teach those skills to others, or do general restoration work. As an artist/craftsman working in wood and leather, I wood have loved to have worked on the project. However, at 77 years old I am acutely aware that this is a younger man's dream, and I am content to watch and applaud. I have followed the project closely since I first heard about it in 2002 and I have visited in 2005, 2011 and 2016. Further, I hope to make a final visit in 2022 when I am hoping to see it completed or nearly completed, God and the Coronavirus willing.

[@uncitoyen_8614]

"However, at 77 years old" You're not a 'young' man but you're young enough for this kind of projects, I am sure they have "old" craftsmen in Guédelon

[@Thunderworks]

It will be not completed in 2022, they need one decade more

[@MatthieuDeW]

In many ways this castle will have a greater historical and architectural value than many 19th century romanticized structures people often perceive as authentically medieval. Contrary to the popular belief it's quite difficult to find a medieval castle that wouldn't be rebuilt throughout the centuries, especially after the industrial revolution.

[@DexMASTER94]

Not in every case... Im working at beautiful chateu, which was rebuilded in 19th century in romantic style, which is preserved to this day, but the building itself was once a real castle builded in late 13th century. So basically half "real castle" and half "romantic dream castle", because many thing from old castle are still present and visible. On the other hand, the most beautiful parts of the building were created in 19th century.

[@BlitzOfTheReich]

not in France.

[@rogerrabbit2913]

As a blacksmith I appreciate this whole thing. There's so much to learn from and doing things by hand makes you take pride in making things. Plus the knowledge you get from it isn't something you can just throw away. It stays with you.

[@benewgillian6823]

One of my mate 's stone carver there , i saw him laying the first few stone there back in the early 90's . Mind blowing progress through sheer hard work ever since .. Greetings from France

[@alistairt7544]

I just saw a couple of British documentaries about this project and i'm just hooked! On my next visit to France, I will stop by this Chateau-Fort on my way to Lyon from Paris. This is exciting! I wish other countries will follow this project as there are just wonderful architecture in many cultures around the world. It's understanding and preserving human art, skill and history.

[@wich1]

It seems there have been quite a number of similar projects started all over in the last few decades, but sadly many of them have not been doing well :(

[@patrickomeagher9868]

It's an amazing project that gives so much insight into how people in Europe lived in the middle ages. It's like living archaeology or tangible history. There's a Timeline series from several years ago from this castle at an earlier building stage called Secrets of the Castle with Ruth. Peter, and Tom where they immerse themselves in the culture and technology of the time. Seeing how far this project has come since that series was made is a real treat. I would love to see it myself someday.

[@randolphciurlino7255]

Fascinating! I hope to see it for myself when I an next in Europe. Thank you for presenting this project on DW

[@dweuromaxx]

You're very welcome! Glad you like our video. Hopefully you'll be able to visit The Guédelon when you come to Europe. It's an incredible project.

[@egran2150]

OH MY GOD FRENCH ARE SO FANTASTIC WITH SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PROJECT. ISA TRIED FOR A WHILE BUT STOPPED IT. FRANCE KEEP DOING IT FOR YEARS NOW. CONGRATS FOR IT . THE WORLD ENJOY THIS MASTERPIECE MADE IN FRNCE TO VISIT IT LATER WE HOPE....

[@zildjian4life433]

It is one of the most brilliant, amazing and awe inspiring things I've ever seen. Were I able I would gladly come to France and take part in such an incredible project!

[@maartnnn0507]

Shad brought me here, I work in construction myself and am very interested in the old ways of building. This project is truly amazing to witness! I'd love to go here and help out for a few weeks!

[@meeeka]

To do so, one must be fluent in French, as it is the language of the build site.

[@lliaolsen728]

Come for a week, stay for a few years. I don't think I could leave the project if I ever started.

[@stephanesoler3085]

@@meeeka When I spend a week as "benevole" worker at Guedelon there was a group of Scots and they did'nt speak French but, with hand language and basic english it worked. So I guess that you can stil participate if you want.

[@the-law5065]

even the dirt feels medieval

[@ben_1]

I like to imagine how this castle will confuse historians in the future, because it's hundreds of years younger than it should be.

[@ArstotzkaEmpire]

you know we can depict material and the age of bacterias, riffs and formed minerals?

[@dragonfruit8830]

Arstotzka Empire don’t be a bummer dude

[@ArstotzkaEmpire]

@@dragonfruit8830 don't make jokes that don't make any sense.

[@dragonfruit8830]

Arstotzka Empire i didn’t.. make any jokes..? I mean hello?

[@rodrigoherrera3962]

But we have evidence.... Why should photos disappear.

[@marcantoinelab12321]

I love the video and I understand not everyone is used to this work. But the way he swings that sledgehammer breaks my heart

[@franckr6159]

Great project. Good to see building beautiful works using ancestral techniques, particularly in France. Here a castle, and a few years ago it was the frigate Hermione, also built using only old methods.

[@i.est.del2991]

I love that you used a song from the Game of Thrones soundtrack! Exactly the feeling I got when I chanced on this video.

[@christianfrommuslim]

I love what they are doing at Guedelon! It's great that France is not "cancelling" their heritage, like much of USA is.

[@jebise1126]

i see it progressed nicely since that enlish show was filmed there

[@wandelgartking5446]

A great documentary that was

[@andonambuehl5589]

Agreed

[@christopherhubbard9677]

The financial side of it would be interesting, like how much has it cost and what have the wages been like for the workers on this modern build. ( I know I know it's for the love of the project and money isn't the point but in the time period that was the biggest factor ) it would be nice to see how it has scales up and what you actually get for your money.

Actually it's self sufficient. Visitors fee pay everything.

[@Krawurxus]

I don't think there's any wages for the workers involved. Another report on this mentioned how most of the craftsmen are actually self-taught historians who want to try the methods they reconstructed from texts and illustrations in a real world full-scale project.

[@Thedamped]

Looks like they employ around 70 people (some seasonally April to October. All the builders are seasonal, I think). They have some job postings on their French language website, but no salaries posted (guessing they don't have to pay much for most positions as it seems so easy to recruit volunteers). They host around 600 volunteer workers throughout the year each working between a few days to a month. It seems about half of them "work on the building site" and half work in other places. I assume they have grown a bit over the years and their open hours may fluctuate, but multiply those salaries over the course of 25 years. Aside from salaries and taxes I don't know of any other major costs associated with construction as it seems they get all the materials for the castle from their own land. I assume they wouldn't have paid much for the land originally and own it outright now. Looks like average wage in France is around 37k euros which is about 41k USD. So for an extremely simple approximation let's say 35 builders * 25 yrs * 40k USD per year per builder * 7/12 (months out of the year)= ~$20 million so far just for construction. Obviously ignoring land cost, benefits, taxes etc. You can cut the number in half if you want to assume minimum wage instead of average wage.

[@dorianleakey]

@ I think they were more curious about he amounts involved now and in the past, some ideas of the relative wealth of the builders.

[@cyborgar15]

@@Krawurxus Well they have to live off something..

[@kajaskov6270]

We will also go there and see this amazing castle and the craftmansship that is brought back to life. Keep on the good job!

[@richardpeffley7545]

Thank you. This really helped for my castle timeline assignment.

[@Bageera63]

Amazing dedication!

[@sirrabbitthered8496]

its so good to see an update to this castle

[@SasukeUchiha-ql5jg]

By far the best short length video coving this place on KZbin. Loved it

[@Chocolate_Mango]

Very Good video I love how the video was made =]

[@avalonadventures715]

Ich feier den Enthusiasmus von dem Reporter! ^_^

[@jackodonnell3463]

3:42 there's something magical about building a castle to a trap beat

[@white_ner9811]

thanks for the quality diction. I bad understand English well, but listened easily

[@ottley32]

Passion is the word that comes to mind!

[@gayahithwen]

"I don't know why anyone would chose not to use modern technology", he says at the end of a whole video explaining exactly WHY you would chose not to use modern technology. ANSWER: For knowledge. Because they get to actually put theories about history to the test, which means we get a much better understanding of the time period in question. Because the history of craftsmanship is honestly just as important as (or even more than) the struggles of the ruling class - but much less well documented. AND because it's a learning experience for the people who visit. For a lot of people, it's hard to imagine what these time periods were actually like. Having a whole living, breathing exhibit like this basically transports visitors back in time and allows immersive learning for people who learn better by looking, smelling, touching, and just DOING things rather than reading about them.

[@cyborgar15]

Ya, and it looks like it was built 800 years ago which is even cooler..

[@bellahistorica145]

Great video, thank you! What an incredible experience, I would love to go there someday!

[@ninemoonplanet]

So many of our modern expressions come from this time, for example, pot holes. The techniques can still be used in the Alps to restore stone houses, barns, using the same techniques. The level used is far more accurate than the modern "bubble" levels. The mortar can still be made in much smaller quantities using limestone. It's actually a better way than using manufactured lime.

[@ΓεώργιοςΓαλανάκης-ν5ω]

It is just interesting for me! It's like getting into another age(Medieval) and the life is like the French of the 13th century. It's a living castle-museum!

[@robloxprojakob]

So interesting to see, hope I get the chance to visit this place.

[@coryfreeman151]

Watching this was astonishing. Marvelous work and group commitment/effort

[@terrystephens1102]

I think the project is fantastic - very pleased to see schools taking the tour.

[@patriciaferguson9204]

Secrets of the Castle with Ruth Goodman, Peter Ginn, and Tom Pinfold was a fun series. I think it was 6 episodes. Available on KZbin in the U.S.

[@ad5047]

I went there yesterday it's absolutly crazy i would definitly Come back but it's better if you speak french because the People building it are the most interesting

[@ActiveDuke]

Fantastic project - does anyone know how to get funding for this kind of awesomeness ? They should have build similar projects in all countries using convicts, so they could get outside, rather than being mentally hampered inside a box...

[@TheZapan99]

Guédelon castle is self-financed since 2000, after its inception in 1997 with the help of two private foundations. With over 300,000 visits a year, all the profits are reinvested in building the structure. Guédelon always refused to accept public fundings, because they would have to sacrifice their independance and deal with a lot of red tape to get them. The whole area benefits from the project, with hotels, tour guides, shops and restaurants getting a touristic boom in this often neglected part of France. Source: www.contribuables.org/2012/08/chateau-medieval-de-guedelon-un-modele-economique/

[@tiedupsmurf]

I came here while on pause watching Great Castles of Great Britain. I want to see how from the very first stone, or how they levelled the ground and how they achieved straight lines and put pillars up. Check out Cardiff Castle, it is trucking massive

[@landmanmarais182]

I love it

[@selfReferencinDox]

I like how they are making the castle using medieval techniques. It is something that people can witness as it's being built and provides people with knowledge. I wonder if someone would have the funding to extend this project to an entire town. Maybe something like a Jamestown in the US, but using the same technology that the people had at the time at the time, so the museum town is is still a museum _while_ they're building it.

[@ke3p3r62]

The same team as do the same in USA, and failed... .

[@stevenherkomer]

Outstanding!

[@andikasevenfold592]

terima kasih untuk pengetahuan ini, saya pengen sekali bisa mempunyai rumah berbentuk kastil.. saya dari indonesia..

[@marijn1772]

6:00 game of thrones music😂😂

[@connorkackley9356]

Wait this isnt a minecraft tutorial

[@Minion_Mike]

This video's production is amazing!

[@ninja1676]

Raw Material and man power.

[@squwuid7940]

Next to my home there’s a church that was built during the 11th century and after seeing this I look at it differently I wonder how many years it took them to build it

[@dv9239]

Yes everything old deserves appreciation Even a tiny part of construction like a nail had to be made by a craftsman individually

[@laney2217]

So wonderful! Thanks for sharing!

[@kentslocum]

We have something sorta similar here in the United States. A historical carousel mechanism has been lovingly restored in Albany, Oregon, and the animals are being hand-carved.

[@19Edurne]

This is not a restoration project. It's the construction of an imaginary 13th century lower noble castle from scratch.

[@kentslocum]

@@19Edurne I see your point, and it is true that this is not an apples-to-apples comparison. However, that is why I specifically said the carousel was "sorta similar". The reason I see similarities is that apart from the historic geared carousel mechanism, everything else about the carousel has been built from scratch. While the artisans are using the same carving and painting techniques pioneered by the original carousel builders, they are not following any previous blueprints. This is similar to Castle Guedelon, which is being built in the same way and according to the same style as classic Medieval castles, but is still from scratch and totally original.

[@19Edurne]

@@kentslocum Point taken. ;) Are there vids about this project on the internet?

[@eddyderaedt3445]

Genius

[@sherribrtn]

EXHAUSTING and back breaking work...my back was killing me just watching this video...😳

[@geoffreylummis2206]

Fantastic work👍😎🌏🇦🇺

[@kasterkreep1264]

That Game of Thrones music..

[@brianwillerton8659]

This fellow is always mentioning himself a lot in this ... ' I, I, Me, Me, I'm doing this...' his blisters say it all...

[@mcfarvo]

This is beautiful! I now feel the urge to replay the "Stronghold" PC game.

[@stephanevilboux1706]

Follement génial !

[@howardhughes6212]

in a thousand years people will be studying that castle. the names of the builders will be known. even though it is a modern castle, it will still go down in history

[@juliam2385]

As an American the castle is like a fort of God

[@uyhgar369]

I think its kind of cool. I think it would be 1000x more cool if they would find sites of crumbling castles ect & fix them like this. There are places like china where entire city's could be refurbished& made into tourist friendly mock ancient comunitys.

[@megamiaouh8992]

refurbishment of medieval structures has been a concern of the EU since it's inception and the individual countries were doing it before then, if it can be repaired it probably already is being repaired.

[@nickdufour1868]

During my youth back in the 1980 I work on a site out side of the town of pithiviers where it was a sort of summer camp to refurbish part of a wall on an old chateaux. there where many such projects all over the country as they have many church and other monuments that need up keep or repair. It was a great month vacation and learning and lots of laughs it was a great way to be away for cheap too, one of my best at that age for sure. I'm sure they still have similar summer camps theses days :D

[@klskin]

Or....help with rebuilding Notre Dame.....

[@GabrielGarcia-bd4bf]

This is a masterpiece!

[@Sonof_DRN2004]

The into the wild soundtrack was a nice touch.

[@Pawelec801]

Fantastic project.

[@Darkeiser.7]

Work of art

[@ThisReckless]

This guy reminds me of Brüno lol. But definitely seems cool. Anyways 3 years ago had a extremely lucid dream where I had a castle and people came by to hang out in the court yard and play baseball lol. Ever since then I’ve been determined to build. Just not many places in Maine that I could have a quarry/mountain range.

[@crampton16]

oh man, the game of thrones music, the melancholy...

[@creamage.]

this is so damn cool

[@IlyesBouras]

amazing job !

[@jonpaul3868]

"Relatively low status castle"😂😂😂

[@deanmacka4975]

It's great stuff mate

[@Fiscacondaniel]

It is almost odd seeing the German and French working together. Once such fierce enemies

[@dweuromaxx]

Well, our differences lie in the past ;-)

[@camembertdalembert6323]

this is how peace can be achieved.

[@ayushgupta4376]

Both originated from the same stock of Germanic tribes.

[@nickdufour1868]

well as a french man i can say that i was lucky enough to be young in the 80's and spent vacation camps with young germans and we got along great and stayed pen pals with a few of them for many years afterwards. It is one of the gifts that the EU and the governments of france and germany worked hard on making possible, as well as many others with good will :D

[@ronb4178]

great idea

[@mollevej30]

Omg. Thats a cool place 👍🙂

[@Edriella]

Awesome!

[@Befree9]

Magnificent!!!!!

[@Reggie2000]

We need a project like this in the USA.

[@stephanesoler3085]

To rebuild medieval America ?

[@Reggie2000]

@@stephanesoler3085 Lmao 😂😁

[@lmcognitio2049]

I think it is an interesting experience and a very good history lesson. I would love to help them build it for at least a few weeks. It would be very interesting to build another castle with modern (the lastest) construction technology. I wonder how long it would take to finish, certainly a lot less than this one ... 20 years is a long time ... I'm pretty sure they were able to build bigger castles in less time, in the past, probably because they lived under monarchic rule (a whip) and because they were not in the process of rediscovering the technology ... just the technology they were familiar (used to) with ... More artisans (workers) were probably involved, too ... Lovely castle, good job, guys! PS Hendrik traveled in time to the medieval age but he forgot to take his 21st-century boots off 😊 ...

[@dweuromaxx]

Got us! 👆🕵️‍♂️

[@mariamartins367]

They had a lot more manpower, so went faster.

[@fermewilmotsagriculturebio3434]

At Guédelon they explain that the builders of the 13th were guilded and highly sought after, they were the ones to impose their terms and conditions or they would pack up and leave. There were no slaves or whips used, they also explained that such castles could be built in 2 years.

[@nickdufour1868]

The project was about relearning and teaching, from the start they knew it would take a longtime and would allow many people to come and learn and get a chance to be part of something that will last for many centuries, it was a great idea but not that easy to get funds this way visitors have really helped pay for it too

[@xenotypos]

They'd probably go faster, but don't forget it remains a relatively small castle, fit for lower nobility. For big castles, I think 20 and 30 years is reasonable to imagine.

[@adijayaification]

Once again the european 👍

[@paardbart]

Amazing

[@Crispkingguy]

Anyone can come together as a community to build a house for a new family . . . we just have to choose to uphold simple construction techniques and ideas instead of paying someone else to build it and for energy etc so that we work most of our lives just to pay off the debt. If you could live and work in your local community whilst growing enough food to be self sufficient then you would have no need for a car or a fridge or electricity etc. Life can be rewarding if you choose.

[@elephantkingbikeridding2806]

😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@matthewnazarian]

What is the song that starts at 3:43?

[@arloc_official]

i would also love to know

[@jeanpelletier206]

The French invented castles building, most castles in Europe have been built with the help of French medieval architects and stone masons.

[@thesnakeoiler9656]

not even close

[@ElMountainMan]

Dude what? the Aleppo Citadel in syria was build in like 3000 BC, shutup.

[@andor3xy712]

This is amazing, I hope the same kind of teams can put together similar projects from different eras and confuse the fvck out of distant future archeologists

[@andreibu6287]

How much has been spent so far to build this castle? Also, what’s the % of it’s complection? P.S. It’s amazing! It looks good and i bet that the experience of doing a project like this is enormously satisfing...

[@andreibu6287]

Ljggd Hhfcv thank you for the info

[@TheZapan99]

Guédelon castle is entirely auto-financed, visitors on the site generated between 2,5 M€ in 2007 and up to 3,2 M€ last year. All the profits are reinvested in building the structure. Source: www.contribuables.org/2012/08/chateau-medieval-de-guedelon-un-modele-economique/

[@echoeddra8on]

I found my future wedding venue!

[@nickdufour1868]

you know there are real chateaux that you can marry at my sister did :D

[@JC-vt4mt]

:O i wanna be part of their team just like the chiselwoman so nice

[@arnvidhr768]

I would wish to join it, but I don't know french language.

[@barryredman2803]

I would've started out with a trip to Home Depot to buy some stacker stones.

[@ivanolsen7966]

it is NOT a RE - construction ......... IT IS JUST a construction

[@blackdaan]

here where i live in landgraaf, netherlands they have started a same project.. a old broken castle rebuild. on the ways they did it before.. i was wondering why i have not seen any decent progress.. now i understand why lol

[@franciscowashington2155]

👍👍👍😎

[@runnerawe]

awesome

[@RAKOTOOOO]

Some area in my contry is still working like this on tis time.

[@josephfontana7300]

My question is what will they do after the project is complete. Who will maintain it ect

[@dweuromaxx]

@Joseph Fontana If you want more information about the project, check out the Guédolon website: 👉🏽 www.guedelon.fr/en/ 👈🏽

[@xenotypos]

It seems they want to complete an entire village. And after that, I don't know.

[@wateredpizza327]

*It’s a lot* ,but it’s honest work.