architecture

Palace of the Popes, Old Palace

Avignon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France

Palais Vieux [French]

Architecture

higher-level structure
built
1335-1342
architect
patronage

Architecture: Palace of the Popes

The papal palace of Avignon, which is more of a fortress, is considered one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings. It served as the residence of various popes and antipopes between 1335 and 1417, making it the seat of Western Christendom during the 14th century. Notably, the Palace has hosted six papal conclaves, which are elections for a new pope.

built
1252-1370
culture
style/period
work type
1342–1791
1810–1900
architect / constr. phase
1335-1342
construction of the Old Palace
1342-1364
addition of the New Palace

Specifications

Specification: Palace of the Popes

floor area
15,000 m²

Geography

cultural historical region
historical affiliations
1342-1791

UNESCO World Heritage Site

type
cultural
criteria
I, II, IV
designation
reference
228rev