The Papal Palace, The Bridge and City Rooftops

 

 The Papal Palace

The Papal Palace is the largest surviving Gothic Palace in Europe.

Built in the 14th century, nine consecutive popes resided here. It took only 20 years to build the original structure.

From 1378 on there were two popes, one in Rome and one in Avignon.  Although the last Avignon pope departed in 1403 the Church owned Avignon until the the French Revolution.

 

Different views of the Palace

 

 

 

                                                                    Seen from the Saint Benezet Bridge (Pont d’Avignon) 

The Papal Vineyard, Rhone River and Pont Saint Benezet (Pont d’Avignon) behind me

The Pont Saint Benezet

The 900m long bridge was built between 1177 (or 71*) and 1185 and was the only fixed structure crossing the Rhone. One side was controlled by the Church and the other by the French crown. In 1669 (or 68*) much of the bridge was swept away during flooding and it was not rebuilt.

*depends on from where I get my info

Avignon Rooftops