Description of the attraction
Cornet Castle is located on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel. The castle is not located on the island itself, but on a nearby small island that connects to Guernsey at low tide. Now the castle is connected to the coast of Guernsey by a stone pier.
The castle was built here in the period 1206-1256, after the division of the Duchy of Normandy, when the Channel Islands remained under the rule of the English kings. The fortress was a classic Norman castle with a citadel. The construction of fortresses on such coastal islands was also very common, because at high tide, the castle became absolutely impregnable. In connection with the advent of firearms and artillery, the castle was rebuilt in 1545-1548.
The castle served as the seat of the island's governor until 1672, when the castle was badly damaged during a thunderstorm. Lightning hit the powder store, and the explosion destroyed the main tower and many other buildings.
During the wars with Napoleon, the castle was connected to the island of Guernsey by a stone pier. During the Second World War, the castle housed a small garrison of the German army.
The Cornet Castle was donated by the British Crown to the people of Guernsey in 1947. Now the castle houses the Maritime Museum and the Museum of the History of the Castle.
