Posted in Arkansas Attractions September 25, 2018 by

Most People Have No Idea There Are Remnants Of A Medieval Fortress Hiding In This Arkansas Forest

The Ozark National Forest has many hidden gems but a 13th-century French castle probably wouldn’t be the first thing that comes to mind. The castle still stands but seems to have been forgotten in the forest. Let’s look at what should have been a popular Arkansas attraction.

Many of these photos are brought to us by our friends over at AbandonedAR. They travel to forgotten locations all over the state to preserve these places through historic documentation.

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It's not uncommon to find abandoned hideouts, weathered cemeteries, or even entire homesteads in the Ozarks but most folks have forgotten what else is hidden in the forest.
www.AbandonedAR.com/Eddy Sisson
The Ozark Medieval Fortress sits off of Highway 14 West in Lead Hill. The remnants of the half-finished project are a rather spectacular surprise in the Ozark forest.
The Ozark Medieval Fortress was suppose to be a top-rated tourist attraction in the Natural State, but now the castle sits abandoned.
Flickr/Al Turner
According to the also-abandoned Facebook Page for the fortress, the goal of the project was, "to invite Americans to adopt this project so that it will become a place unique on American soil where everyone can learn about castle."
The project originally began by restoration-enthusiast Michel Guyot back in 2009.
Flickr/Al Turner
The project was inspired by the Guédelon Castle in France. Guyot wanted to replicate the castle using the same 13th century techniques that would have created the French castle. Land for this project was donated by two French citizens living in the Ozarks, Solange and Jean-Marc Mirat. A group of 30 artisans worked on the castle using simple tools and mules. Ozark Medieval Fortress officially opened to the public in May of 2010.
In its prime, the Fortress attracted hundreds of visitors from neighboring states.
Flickr/Jody Halsted
Guests could watch artisans work on the fortress' construction and create their own smaller works of arts (like making bracelets from hand-spun wool) for $25. A collection of medieval siege weapons were also available to view on the site. In 2011, the Fortress was voted "Top 10 Places To Visit In Arkansas" by the AR Department of Parks & Tourism.
To this day the fortress simply waits in the forest.
www.AbandonedAR.com/Eddy Sisson
The project was forced to close due to a lack of investors. In January 2012, the Fortress went up for sale but has stayed abandoned since then.
It's surprising how little the site has changed over the years.
www.AbandonedAR.com/Eddy Sisson
The forest has begun to take over but the buildings and many items are simply frozen in time.
Now Arkansans can only hope that an inventor will come along and give the fortress a new renaissance.
www.AbandonedAR.com/Eddy Sisson
We'd certainly like to think that the drawbridge will be open for guests once again.

Although it’s doubtful there’ll be news anytime soon, you can still follow the Ozark Medieval Fortress Facebook Page.

For more pictures, you can read AbandonedAR’s full article right here.

Let’s not let this gem go forgotten. We’d love to hear about your stories to the castle while it was still open. Reminisce with us in the comments below.

Here’s the hike that leads straight to an abandoned cemetery.