Europe's Largest Gothic Palace Was Once Home to Popes | National Geographic
Located in 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 the seat of the papacy.
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Avignon’s role as residence of the popes 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 popes. Completed in less than 20 years in two phases, the Palais des Papes is the largest Gothic palace in Europe. The palace also 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. But the palace in Avignon remained property of the papacy until the French Revolution, when it was seized by revolutionaries. It was later converted into a military barracks and prison under the Napoleonic administration.
Today, the property is preserved as a museum and visitors can stroll through its halls and gander at the former private chambers of the pope.
The palace is surrounded by other monuments, including the Cathedral of Notre Dame des Doms, 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 des Domes, a park with panoramic views of the Rhone.
And adjacent to the complex is the remnants of the St. 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.
Read "Inside One of the World's Largest Gothic Palaces"
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Europe's Largest Gothic Palace Was Once Home to Popes | National Geographic
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Today, the palace in Avignon is preserved as a museum, with visitors being able to stroll through its halls and gander at the former private chambers of the pope. What are your thoughts on this historic site?
@kingleo7281
5 жыл бұрын
Is the museum owned by the French State? Thanks if you will answer
@E.C.2
3 ай бұрын
@@kingleo7281Napoleon took ownership of all Churches and the order has never been rescinded.
Looks like a very interesting to visit. And that garden on top, definitely will be breathtaking view.
I've visited the city center of Avignon. What a beautiful historical area. Definitely worth the visit.
Very interesting and very beautiful place ! Unearthly and Unforgettable beauty ! Thank You very much dear National Geographic for Your unique video and for Your necessary job ! Vl'ado. Oct 06,2018 and forever.
What a beautiful place. I hope to visit.
It's a wonderful place, I loved it !!!
Very nice
Beautiful
Cool castle.
I live in Avignon, this is so weird to see it on KZread !
@theobserver3753
2 жыл бұрын
Lucky you.
beautiful place
places to visit *adds this one to the list*
Highlighted 😮
Sooooo, funny story... My family and I accidentally broke into the off limits section of this cathedral and almost got arrested
@E.C.2
3 ай бұрын
See anything noteworthy?
A weird Papal State enclave in France....hmm seem interesting
Know it well before children we would go to the "Jean Vilar" new theatre. Plays . Opera and Ballet. Later visit the Popes palace a delight for the children as their imagination runs wild when watching the paintings so explicit of life in the 1200. 20 visits over the years. We lived not far away.
They need valid traditional Rite Bishops Priests to offer the pre-55 Missale Romanum daily. Avignon is much more elaborate & stunning than I envisioned.
En el puente de Avignon todos bailan, todos bailan En el puente de Avignon todos bailan y yo también 🎶
such a pretty city! 😍💖🔥👙
reminds me of Ezio...
And it is absolutely not wheelchair accessible... The pont does have an ascensor, but when we visited the city it was not working.
I will go to Finland
That may be why some ancient Popes did bad things.
@pa7957
4 жыл бұрын
not just ancient , sorry to say :((((
Europe is the place I like this
7 popes in 66 yrs lol
@pa7957
4 жыл бұрын
At this time , it was the French King who help elected 6 french pope :)))))
@rebeccaanderson5626
3 жыл бұрын
They kept dying
Hi
Half century views
👍
😍
☺
👍🏼👏👏👏
I watch CNN everytime
First like haha 😂
First
2nd
yeet 7th
I lowkey thought dat it was a palace occupied by goths.. Am i the only one who thought this way??
Hi