Tour à diable d'Orchies
78 rue Jules Ferry 59310 Orchies
The fortified structure, known as Tour à Diable, is one of the defensive structures in the town of Orchies that is said to date from the 15th century. It is a flanking structure that protects the western corner of the medieval city. This vocation is confirmed by the presence of various typological elements (fire openings, walkway and watchtower) as well as by the visible tearing off of the old walls of ramparts that set it. Originally dedicated to the defence of the city, the tower also serves as a prison. The use of the rooms as prison cells could not be the subject of an archival investigation. This vocation is therefore not dated chronologically to date. However, the presence of a metal checkered door on the first level of the tower provides a factual clue that is supported by the numerous engravings that are observed on the interior walls (day counting sticks, names and dates, etc.). These engravings allow to propose a dating for the use of the tower as a prison at least during the
Tags
Monument historique, Édifice militaire, enceinte urbaine
Access
Orchies station, parking of the square, parking of the Grange
© Jean-François Brach
