Photo Scrapbook: Avignon Papal Palace

The Palace of the Popes is an impressive example of architecture built between 1335 and 1364. In the history of the Catholic Church, the Avignon Papacy was the period from 1309 to 1377, during which 7 Popes, all French, resided in Avignon.


This is the inner courtyard of the gothic Papal Palace. With walls more than 17 feet thick and sitting on a 190-foot high limestone hill overlooking the city and the valley, the palace is virtually impregnable.


It's hard to imagine the size of the main banquet hall, but Doug had no trouble standing in the fireplace.



(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)