Description of the attraction
The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Dôme is part of the architectural ensemble, which also includes the Palais des Papes and the Pont Saint-Benese. The temple is located on top of a cliff, in the northern part of Avignon, next to the Papal Palace. This Catholic cathedral is recognized as a National Monument in France and is under the protection of UNESCO.
The history of the cathedral is not fully known. According to some sources, it was built in the 4th century, and later rebuilt in the Romanesque style and consecrated. According to others, the history of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-Dôme dates back to about 1150, and later, in the XIV-XVII centuries, the side chapels were completed. Such a long history of construction and reconstruction of the cathedral determined its unique, mixed Provencal-Romanesque style. During the French Revolution, the temple was closed and one of its domes was removed and melted down to arm the soldiers. However, in 1822 it was consecrated again.
One of the features of this cathedral is that a huge lead statue of the Virgin Mary weighing 4.5 tons, covered with gold leaf, is installed on its western tower.
In this temple, one of the greatest fresco painters, a follower of the Siena school, Simon Martini wrote "The Virgin Mary surrounded by Angels and the Blessing Christ." The cathedral houses the tomb of Benedict XII, built in 1342-1345. Jean Lavenier. In another chapel is the mausoleum of Pope John XXII, a beautiful work of Gothic art dating from the 14th century.
Today, this famous cathedral serves as the seat of the Archbishop of Avignon.
