The castle Ha (known as Fort du Ha) is an ancient fortress Bordeaux which remain only two towers (called the English and the Minimes). These remains are enrolled in inventory since 1965 and now rub the Palace of Justice and the National School of Magistrates.
The castle Ha had been built from 1454 on the decision of King Charles VII after the Battle of Castillon, which marked the end of the Hundred Years War and the final return Bordeaux within the kingdom of France. For Charles VII, the Ha of the castle and the castle Trumpet (for its hand completely disappeared) were intended to protect the city from a new English invasion but also monitor res still insecure population after centuries of union with the British crown.
Became residence of the Dukes of Guyenne and lieutenant general of the province, Ha castle serves Protestant refuge during the Wars of Religion and Henry even considering a time it was demolished during the League.
Under the reign of Louis XIV, during the Fronde, the fortress part in the defense of the city when the royal troops besieging Bordeaux. Work is later considered by Vauban to fortify the site, but it is only modestly redesigned.
In 1731, a prison is set up in the castle, and this vocation will continue or even amplify during the Revolution, where many detainees will be guillotined in the enclosure.
However, the castle was largely dismantled in 1835 during the construction of the Palace of Justice and are spared the two towers still visible today. They are still used until 1969. Then prison in 1972, was inaugurated the National School of Magistrates that integrates the two towers, one of which is transformed into a conference room. In the same area, in the late twentieth century, inaugurated the new court.
The site and the castle last items can stake a visit to the neighborhood Bordeaux. Information +33 5 56 00 66 00.
