Cloisters at the Palais des Papes

While I was impressed with the sheer size of the Palais des Papes, I was finding it hard to appreciate the places which I have been visiting. The video guide was very instrumental in helping me understand what is there to see in the palace. I understand that the current Palais des Papes is actually a combination of two palaces, which probably explains the huge size. The old bishop’s palace was used as the residence of the first few popes and the popes in Avignon would start to build a new palace of their own – aptly called the new palace.

These palaces would still contain various aspects which can be considered common in churches or monasteries. These would be cloisters. I would imagine these would be places for contemplation for the pope and the cardinals who would visit the place. The pope’s residence would definitely be a very busy place and perhaps this is something which is needed in such a busy place just to get away from it all. In these times when popes and cardinals behaved more like kings and princes, having a place of contemplation amid all these luxury seems to be a bit ironic.

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