Exhibition 2024

CREATURA

Medieval Bestiary

For the first time anywhere, an exhibition and experience about medieval mythological creatures is presented like an historic novel in a 10th century warrior fortress. On the heels of the successful “Living Dragons” exhibition, 2024 will mark the second season of an ambitious project at the château of Belcastel. Creatura brings together a collection of animatronic mythological creatures, and the stories that imbued them with life centuries ago. Within exterior spaces, six larger-than-life creatures will be moving, glaring and growling- “living” on the property:

Basilisk | Griffin | Phoenix | Unicorn | Cerberus | Stryge

Medieval-style banners in the chateau’s principal gallery feature portraits of nine different medieval beasts, also with their history and fantastic stories. A timeline in the prison gallery about the history of dragons begins in biblical times and ends in 2023. 

Co-curators Heidi Leigh, galeriest and proprietor of Chateau Belcastel, and Nicolas Marc, medieval specialist, aim to gain renown for this “Bestiary” of Belcastel by presenting a rich educational experience in a unique way. Visitors will first discover the fascinating history of the fifteen creatures from an academic’s point of view, through historical research. Then, incredibly, the creatures themselves tell their own fantastic tales about the lives they lived. 

Since ancient times, mythological beings and monsters have fascinated people around the world. These magical creatures were brought to life by storytellers, through theater, song and dance. Heroic tales were made sensational when the creatures were painted and sculpted, or woven into the fabric of tapestries. In more recent times, breathtaking special effects in the film and gaming industries have created dramatic adventures between dragons and other creatures and their human counterparts, as never before. In ancient and contemporary times alike, mythological creatures symbolize humankind's greatest hopes, fears, and most passionate dreams.

Guided tours for school children and groups will be led by Nicolas Marc, a chateau manager who has a Master's degree in medieval studies, and the university interns who live in the chateau during high season.

This unique educational and cultural experience is intended to thrill, entertain and pique the curiosities of visitors during the 2024 touristic season from March 30th through November 11th. This permanent exhibition is intended to grow, year after year.