Now that the southern part of our roof has been completely renovated, we’re moving full speed ahead to restore its northern part, where under the ancient tiles lies Château Cramirat’s grand hall with its “floating” fireplace, a lavish addition from the 16th century.
Majestic and unique, this fireplace had once blazed to heat the main hall on the château’s second story. At some point, all the floor planks were dismantled, leaving the fireplace hanging, as if “floating.”
This massive-yet-elegant wall hearth was a common feature in the homes of aristocrats, and the ongoing bloom of smoke rising from its large chimney indicated wealth and social standing. It was also a sign for tax collectors to demand ‘Peter Pence’, generating extra revenue for the ‘papal coffers’.
