The Cathars were a religious sect in the southern regions of France in the 12th and 13th centuries. They opposed what they perceived as the moral, spiritual and political corruption of the Catholic Church. As a result, Pope Innocent III launched a campaign against them that resulted in the death of about 20,000 men, women and children, Cathars and Catholics alike. The Cathars retreated to strongholds in the Languedoc region of southern France where they were held under siege by their persecutors. Queribus, one of the fortresses, endures today atop the highest peak in the area and is a reminder of what the Cathars themselves endured.
Weekly photo challenge: Endurance
Beyond the Brush 
Good interpretation Lynne, men and wars come and go but the buildings they created live on.
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Thanks, pommepal.
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“As a result, Pope Innocent III launched a campaign against them that resulted in the death of about 20,000 men, women and children…” – sad, that still religion (Islam) pushes people to terror and war actually in several Arabian countries…
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As it is, it always shall be, unfortunately. Seen in the context of the “christian” crusades that were launched against Islam there can be seen some basis for what’s happening today but it speaks well of neither religion that these differences could not have been peacefully resolved over the millenia of time.
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Great shots of Quéribus Lynne…..I only saw it from a distance.
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Of the strongholds, this is the only one we went up to. The view was glorious but, as always, the spirits that inhabit such places, gave me pause.
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Indeed…..there is a tangible presence in these places.
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They sure withstood all that the years could bring. Beautiful captures Lynne. 😀
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Hi Sonel – thank you.
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I immediately showed this to PF and put it on my bucket list. How have we lived in this region for so long and not visited this yet?
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You are living in southern France? I never seem to be able to get southern France off my bucket list – I keep returning. The wonderful ambiance that struck me on my first visit over 40 years ago I find is still there and I keep getting drawn back. If you are near then you need to see Peyrepertuse too, and the Gorge du Galamus.
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datz what ya call bein on Top Of it All! :0 *(*@*@*)***~~~~~ wowza 🙂
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Innocent is some name for a Pope. Thanks for introducing some history.
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Some job he did, contributing to the deaths of 20,000 people.
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thanks for the history lesson Lynne – great topic for the theme too
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I like to know at least a little bit about these places because it enhances the experience so much. Thanks, Laura.
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Indeed…Religión has always been a good excuse to kill…Even today…
The second pic I think is my favourite…It is so big!!!! Everytime I visit one of those places I am surprised by their magnificence!!!
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Yes. They always inspire awe in me. I included my brother-in-law in the shot to show the massive scale of it.
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Yes…I could never imagine it was so tall!!!
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Beautiful photos. It’s incredible the number of people who have been killed in the worlds history in the name of religion.
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I know. “Love thy fellow man” seems to stop on the doorstep of “I don’t agree with you”.
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Beautiful captures, especially the last one – I enjoy seeing the details of the “footprints” left behind by centuries.
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Well said, Ese, and thank you.
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I agree. Good ones, Lynne.
janet
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Thank you, Janet
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