Description of the attraction
The imposing towers of the Palais des Papes can be seen from anywhere in Avignon, one of the most interesting cities in France. The Papal Palace is located in the northern part of the city, not far from the central square of Avignon - Place de l'Orloges.
The Papal Palace is the most important building of the Gothic type of the Middle Ages in Avignon. It is both a fortress, a palace, and a papal residence, which it became in 1309, when Clement V, after the defeat of Pope Boniface VIII in a conflict with the King of France Philip IV the Fair, moved to Avignon. In 1348, Pope Clement VI acquired Avignon, which had previously belonged to the Counts of Provence.
The palace consists of two architectural buildings: the Old Palace of Pope Boniface XII, a real fortress located on the impregnable rock of the Roque de Dom, and the New Palace, which was built under Pope Clement VI, the Pope, who loved luxury more than any of the Roman pontiffs. The architecture of the New Palace is the result of the collaboration of the best architects in France, such as Pierre Poisson and Jean du Louvre, as well as the greatest fresco painters, followers of the Siena School, Simon Martini and Matteo Giovanetti.
In addition, the Pontifical Palace of Avignon houses the Pontifical Library, which began to be collected in 1318, it is the largest library in Europe of that era. Here are collected the rarest works of art by the greatest masters. The Pontifical Library gave the world new names, which we know as the names of great artists. For example, on behalf of Pope Clement VI, Francesco Petrarca, who laid the foundation for humanism, was engaged in the selection of works for the library here.
