Today we visited the city of Avignon, and spent most of our time walking around the Palace of the Popes. As with the other cities we have been visiting, Avignon was at one time ruled by the Roman Empire. The city was badly damaged by the Goths in the fifth century and then destroyed by the Saracens in the eighth century. Avignon passed to the Holy Roman Empire (the Catholic church) in the 11th century, and then became independent in the 12th century. King Louis VIII took over the city in the 13th century, and later in that same century the Pope of Rome bought the city and took back control. In 1309 Pope Clement V decided to move to Avignon which remained the seat of the papacy until 1377. The walls that were built by the popes in the years immediately following the acquisition of Avignon as papal territory are well preserved. As they were not particularly strong fortifications, the Popes relied instead on the immensely strong fortifications of their palace, the "Palais des Papes". This immense Gothic building, with walls 17–18 feet thick, was built 1335–1364 on a natural spur of rock, rendering it all but impregnable to attack.
And now for the pictures of Avignon, the Palace of the Popes, and the surrounding area...
Outside the city walls:
Walking through Avignon:
Avignon's synagogue (originally built in 13th century, but destroyed and rebuilt in 1850):
More walking around town:
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In front of the Palace of the Popes:
Some serious construction at the Palace:
The dining hall:
A courtyard in the center of the palace:
The church:
Signatures of the stone masons who worked on the palace 800 years ago:
A nice view of Avignon from a garden above the palace:
Jill really liked this tree:
Me and a gargoyle:
Lunch in Avignon...Jill enjoying salad and Quiche Lorraine:
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