Upload
others
View
0
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
The Rajat caves
Name : The Rajat caves
Town: Murol
Owner: council
References : GPS :
Longitude : 02°57’00.2 " E
Latitude : 45°35’22.7"N
Access: by car and on foot
From Murol head towards Beaune le Froid on the D5, carry
on for around 2 km then take the road which drops to the
right in the direction of Chautignat (D5a). Drive through the
little hamlet of Chautignat, and the Rajat caves are signed
after the hamlet.
Facilities: Vehicle access is possible to around 50 m from
the caves, but then the track is too narrow and steep to
approach by car.
Lenght of itinerary : From Senchiney (the hamlet near
Chautignat) it’s a 40-minute round trip. The walking track is
better going at the arrival point, but then the path
becomes narrow, slippery and steep. Since no official car
parking site has yet been decided on, the time to cover the
distance is not definite, just to give you an idea.
Public facilities: parking
Location of the artwork : the caves
Description of the site: type of soil / surface area /
vegetation / exposure
The ancient cave-dwellings of Rajat dug out of the
volcanic mass resemble a fortress, and the crudely hacked
openings are evidence of the presence of our ancestors.
Three caves in all are visible, 2 facing you and one at the
side (visible by climbing to the summit).
The Rajat cave-dwellings face towards Murol château,
almost as if they had been cut to keep watch over the
château. And the great reddish lava spills are impressive in
the way they dominate the scene. The reddish hue is all the
more outstanding thanks to the lush vegetation all around.
The rocks themselves are covered in low growth
dominated by white stonecrop and cobweb houseleek.
If you take the little path to the right of the caves, the view
becomes breathtaking, with the peaks of the Sancy Massif
to the west and then out over the hills of the Livradois Forez,
and to the south Murol château and the volcanic cores of
Bessolles and the Tartaret. To the east is the Livradois Forez
again, and to the north the Chaîne des Puys can be made
out.
Additional information about Murol château: The view from
the Rajat caves is dominated by the basalt promontory
where the château stands. It is, in fact, reminiscent of the
volcanoes. Its compact mass, its embanked curtain walls
and its straight roof line are reminiscent of ancient lava
flows. The mediaeval architecture harmonises with the
landscape. Its walls are over thirty feet in height.
The advantages of the location: A stunning panorama is
present with a slope to Murol château nearby.
Comments: A circular route has been suggested whereby
walkers can visit the Rajat caves, pass by the side of the
restored Landrode mill, built in local stone with a stone-
flagged roof, before crossing a traditionally decorated
bridge surrounded by trees, and reach Murol château.
The caves on the left and Murol castle on the right
From the summit view of the castle (on the right)
From the summit, view of the Massif of Sancy at West
From the summit view of the north face
The caves on the left and the castle on the right
The summit of the caves
Les grottes et derrière vue sur le Massif du Sancy
The summit of the caves
The summit of the caves