Europe's Largest Gothic Palace Was Once Home to Popes | National Geographic

Summary

Located in the sunny south of France, Avignon is a city rich in history, once serving as the seat of the Catholic Church during the Avignon Papacy (1309–1377). The stunning Palais des Papes, the largest Gothic palace in Europe, was built to house the popes and features frescoes by Italian master Matteo Giovannetti. The area is filled with historical landmarks, including the Notre-Dame des Doms Cathedral and the remnants of the Saint-Bénézet Bridge. Today, Avignon is a major tourist destination with well-preserved architecture and a robust tourism infrastructure, best visited in spring or fall.

Takeaways

• 🏰 Avignon is a historic city in southern France, once the seat of the Catholic Church.
• 🕍 The Avignon Papacy, also known as the Babylonian Captivity, was a controversial period from 1309 to 1377.
• 🏛 The Palais de PAP, constructed from 1335, is the largest Gothic palace in Europe and now a museum.
• 🎨 The palace contains exquisite frescoes by the Italian artist Matteo Giovannetti.
• 🗽 The papacy moved back to Rome in 1377, and the palace was later used as military barracks and a prison.
• 🏞 The city is surrounded by other monuments, including the Cathedral of Notre Dame de dôme, built in 1150.
• 🖼 The Petit Palais, once a bishop's residence, now houses an art museum with medieval and Renaissance works.
• 🌳 Rocher des Doms is a park near the palace offering panoramic views of the Rhône River.
• 🌉 Adjacent to the palace is the Saint Benezet bridge, with only four of the original 22 arches remaining.
• 🚗 Avignon is easily accessible with a well-developed tourism infrastructure, and visiting in spring or fall avoids crowds.

Q & A

Where is Avignon located?

Avignon is located in the sunny south of France.

What is the significance of Avignon's historic center?

The historic center of Avignon is known for its architectural and cultural significance, largely stemming from its brief stint as a seat of the papacy.

What is the term for the period when the Catholic Church's power was centered in Avignon?

The period is known as the Avignon papacy or sometimes referred to as the Babylonian captivity.

How long did the Avignon papacy last?

The Avignon papacy lasted from 1309 to 1377.

What was constructed in Avignon in 1335 to house the Popes?

A magnificent palace known as the Palais de PAP was constructed in 1335 to house the Popes.

What is special about the Palais de PAP?

The Palais de PAP is the largest Gothic palace in Europe and holds a collection of intricate frescoes by the Italian master Mateo Giovannetti.

How many Popes occupied the Palais de PAP before the papacy moved back to Rome?

Seven Popes occupied the Palais de PAP before the papacy moved back to Rome in 1377.

What happened to the Palais de PAP during the French Revolution?

During the French Revolution, the Palais de PAP was seized by revolutionaries.

What is the current status of the Palais de PAP?

Today, the Palais de PAP is preserved as a museum where visitors can stroll through its halls.

What other monuments are located near the Palais de PAP?

Nearby the Palais de PAP are the Cathedral of Notre Dame de dôme, the Petit Palais, and Rocher they'd own park.

What is the significance of the Saint Benezet bridge adjacent to the complex?

The Saint Benezet bridge once spanned the Rhone River, and today, tourists can still stroll along the span where only four of the original 22 arches remain.

What is the best time to visit Avignon to avoid crowds?

The best time to visit Avignon to avoid crowds is in the spring or fall.

Outlines

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🏰 Avignon: Papal Seat and Gothic Palace

Avignon, located in the sunny south of France, is a city of significant architectural and cultural importance due to its history as the seat of the Catholic Church during the Avignon Papacy, also known as the Babylonian Captivity. This period, from 1309 to 1377, saw the construction of the Palais de Pape, the largest Gothic palace in Europe, which now houses a collection of intricate frescoes by Italian master Matteo Giovannetti. The city is also home to the Cathedral of Notre Dame des Doms, built in 1150, and the Petit Palais, which is now an art museum. Nearby is the Rocher des Doms park offering panoramic views, and the remnants of the Saint Benezet bridge, which once spanned the Rhône. Avignon is easily accessible and has a well-developed tourism infrastructure, with the recommendation to visit in spring or fall to avoid crowds.

Keywords

💡Avignon

Avignon is a city located in the south of France, notable for its historical and cultural significance. It was once the seat of power for the Catholic Church during the Avignon Papacy, which left a lasting imprint on the city's architecture and cultural legacy. The city's historic monuments like the Palais des Papes and the Cathedral of Notre-Dame des Doms reflect its ecclesiastical past.

💡Avignon Papacy

The Avignon Papacy refers to the period from 1309 to 1377 when the Popes resided in Avignon instead of Rome. This controversial move, often referred to as the 'Babylonian Captivity,' had significant implications for the Church's political power and left behind monumental structures like the Palais des Papes. The papacy's presence in Avignon shaped the city's history and global importance.

💡Palais des Papes

The Palais des Papes, or Palace of the Popes, is the largest Gothic palace in Europe, constructed between 1335 and 1352 to house the papal court. This magnificent building is a symbol of Avignon's status as the seat of the Catholic Church during the Avignon Papacy and holds artistic treasures such as frescoes by Matteo Giovannetti. The palace's importance endures today as a museum.

💡Matteo Giovannetti

Matteo Giovannetti was an Italian painter known for his intricate frescoes, many of which adorn the interior of the Palais des Papes. His work reflects the blend of Italian artistic influence on Avignon during its time as the papal residence, adding to the city's rich cultural and artistic heritage.

💡French Revolution

The French Revolution, which took place in the late 18th century, had a major impact on Avignon and its papal properties. During the revolution, the Palais des Papes and other church-owned assets were seized by revolutionaries, marking the end of the city's religious significance. The palace was later used as military barracks and a prison under Napoleon.

💡Notre-Dame des Doms

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame des Doms is an important religious structure in Avignon, built in 1150. It is located near the Palais des Papes and exemplifies the city's long-standing ecclesiastical history. As one of the key monuments surrounding the papal complex, the cathedral reflects Avignon's architectural grandeur and religious significance.

💡Petit Palais

The Petit Palais was once the residence of bishops in Avignon and now serves as an art museum. The museum houses an extensive collection of works from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, contributing to Avignon's reputation as a center of culture and history. Its proximity to the Palais des Papes and other monuments highlights the city's artistic and religious heritage.

💡Saint Benezet Bridge

The Saint Benezet Bridge, also known as the Pont d'Avignon, was a bridge that once spanned the Rhône River. Today, only four of its original 22 arches remain, but it is still a popular tourist destination. The bridge's historical and architectural significance adds to Avignon's allure as a center of medieval history and culture.

💡Babylonian Captivity

The Babylonian Captivity is a term used to describe the period of the Avignon Papacy, likening the relocation of the Pope from Rome to Avignon to the ancient captivity of the Jews in Babylon. This phrase reflects the controversy and criticism the Avignon Papacy faced from within the Church, emphasizing the tension it caused in the religious world.

💡Tourism infrastructure

Avignon's well-developed tourism infrastructure makes it a popular destination for visitors seeking to explore its rich history and architecture. The city's accessibility and its preservation of landmarks like the Palais des Papes, Notre-Dame des Doms, and the Saint Benezet Bridge make it an attractive option for tourists, especially during the less crowded seasons of spring and fall.

Highlights

Avignon is located in the sunny south of France and is known for its architectural and cultural significance.

Avignon was once the seat of power for the Catholic Church.

The city's importance largely stems from its brief stint as a seat of the papacy.

The Avignon papacy was controversial within the church and lasted from 1309 to 1377.

The Palais de PAP is the largest Gothic palace in Europe and was constructed to house the Popes.

The palace was completed in less than twenty years in two phases.

The palace holds a collection of intricate frescoes by the Italian master Matteo Giovannetti.

Seven Popes occupied the palace before the papacy moved back to Rome in 1377.

After the French Revolution, the palace was seized by revolutionaries and later converted into military barracks and a prison.

Today, the palace is preserved as a museum and visitors can explore its halls and former private chambers of the Pope.

The Cathedral of Notre Dame de dôme, built in 1150, is a nearby monument.

The Petit Palais, once the residence of bishops, now houses an art museum with an extensive collection of works from the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

Rocher des Doms is a park with panoramic views of the Rhône River.

Adjacent to the complex is the remnants of the Saint Benezet bridge, which once spanned the Rhône.

Today, only four of the original 22 arches of the Saint Benezet bridge remain.

Tourists can still stroll along the Saint Benezet bridge.

Avignon has a well-developed tourism infrastructure making travel to the city simple.

The best time to visit Avignon to avoid crowds is in the spring or fall.

Transcripts

located on the sunny south of France

picturesque Avignon was once the seat of

power for the Catholic Church the

historic center of Avignon is known for

its architectural and cultural

significance both of which largely stem

from its brief stint as a seat of the

papacy Ivan Yuans role as residents of

the Pope's was relatively short-lived

the Avignon papacy or Babylonian

captivity as some dubbed it was

controversial within the church and

lasted only from 1309 to 1377 but it

left behind a lasting imprint on the

city beginning in 1335 a magnificent

palace was constructed to house the

Pope's completed in less than twenty

years in two phases the Palais de PAP is

the largest gothic palace in Europe the

palace also holds a collection of

intricate frescoes by the Italian master

Mateo Giovannetti 7 popes occupy the

palace before the papacy moved back to

Rome in 1377 with the palace and Avignon

were main property of the papacy until

the French Revolution when it was seized

by revolutionaries it was later

converted into military barracks and a

prison under Napoleon today the property

is preserved as a museum and visitors

can stroll through its halls in gander

at the former private chambers of the

Pope the palace is surrounded by other

monuments including the Cathedral of

Notre Dame de dôme which was built in

1150

nearby is the Petit Palais it was once

the residence of bishops and now houses

an art museum with an extensive

collection of works from the Middle Ages

and Renaissance a short stroll from the

cathedral is Rocher they'd own a park

with panoramic views of the wrong and

adjacent to the complex is the remnants

of the Saint Benezet bridge which once

spanned the Rhone today only four of the

original 22 arches remain but the

construction is solid enough that

tourists can still stroll along the span

luckily getting to Avignon is quite easy

and a well-developed tourism

infrastructure makes travel simple the

best way to avoid the crowds is to visit

in the spring or fall

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