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A long history of Louis IX
Louis IX and Aigues-Mortes ... a long story! Louis IX, King of France was one of the promoters and fighters of the Crusades in the Holy Land of the Middle East in the 13th century. To give the knights and soldiers boarding point towards far away lands that Christians want to reconquer, ordered the construction of the fort city of Aigues-Mortes, on the shores of the Mediterranean. Thecity had just begun to stand up when Louis IX left for the Crusades. Upon his return the citadel took shape. War and religion continued to mark the history. The Hundred Years War reached the city, where the bodies of the "Burgundians" were kept in the tower now called "Tour des Burgundians".
Decades later, the religious conflict between Protestants and Catholics waved throughout France that reached the small sea fortress, where the towers served as prison. Today the importance of founder Louis IX is still evident: The statue in the middle of the main square of this small citadel is represented on horseback, while the most important festival of the people (and the area) is San Luis (25 August), medieval fair where residents, traders and other amateur historical costumes dress up in honor of the Holy King.
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