La Bastille

   A former French prison fortress in paris, the Bastille, at the time of the revolution of 1789, was regarded as a symbol of royal tyranny. Built around 1370, it was originally part of the fortifications of the east wall of the city. Beginning with Cardinal Richelieu and throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, the Bastille was used primarily for housing political prisoners. Citizens of any class and profession, who for whatever reason were deemed a liability to the royal establishment, were arrested by "lettres de cachet" — secret warrants that would imprison them indefinitely in the Bastille without accusation or trial. Among the more illustrious of the fortress's prisoners were Voltaire and the marquis de Sade. At the beginning of the Revolution (July 14, 1789), the Bastille was attacked and captured by a mob assisted by royal troops. Two days later, the demolition of the fortress was begun amid great public rejoicing. The event marked the transition of the Revolution from the parliamentary to the popular stage. The site is now an open square, known as the place de la Bastille. in its center is the large bronze July Column surmounted by a figure of the spirit of Liberty, erected in 1833. Bastille Day is celebrated annually as the national holiday of France on July 14.