Palais des Papes, Avignon

We're touring a little piece of Provence history today

at the papal palace in Avignon,

the capital of the Vaucluse department in southern France.

This medieval, gothic fortress and palace,

once the seat of Christianity 

and known as one of the greatest examples of Gothic style, 

was begun in 1252.

Clement V made it his home in 1309...

...moving the Papal Court to Avignon

 thus creating a period known as the Avignon Papacy

which lasted not quite 70 years

when the Popes returned to Rome in 1377. 

But the antipopes moved in,

ending the Avignon Papacy

and creating the Papal Schism

when several announced themselves the true Pope.

(Christ carrying the cross with Sainte Catherine of Siena on the left)

I love old snapshots of history...

and these sliding media photos show the walled city

in the 1600's. 

Anyone who knows me 

knows I'm a door and window person

taking shots of them wherever I go. 

All around Avignon are murals like this one...

and on many walks in Europe

you'll find just such an elderly woman staring out her window

watching the world pass by. 

I couldn't pass up this beautiful door

with its gorgeous arch, 

cobblestone walkway

and infinity sign. 

And this one just tickled me!

Also in many European cities

one finds Virgin altars on corners of the Old Towns.

Usually holding something precious.

More photos of Provence next time. 

So much beauty...

and such history.

Happy waning summer to you!

(All Photos copyright: Kirsten Steen)