Gothic Papal Palace in Avignon II by brewgirlca
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Description
As I said in the previous upload, the Papal Palace in Avignon in southern France, was at once both a palace and a fortress. What might look to you like decorative Christian crosses cut through the walls are for crosses of a different sort� namely crossbows and longbows. These are part of the defensive structures of the Palace. I will show you another ingenious wicked defensive feature in the near future. Believe it or not it was besieged twice, once in 1398 and a second time from 1410-1411; both times were during the Papal Schism when it was under control of antipopes. The papacy had returned to Rome in 1377 but the French were not willing to give up the power of the papacy and so two French popes were elected in Avignon while there was another pope serving in Rome.
This is looking at the main gate straight on and above the entrance you can see a tiny symbol set in the wall. This is a bishop's cap and shield, to signify this is the residence of the Pope. Overall, this entrance fairly reeks of brutal power and intimidation. You had better have an invite if you hoped to get inside.
Comments (25)
Faemike55
Very cool capture and history. can't wait to see the inside the longbow and crossbow made life(death) interesting to say the least.
3dpoetry
Amazing shot
MineFujiko
Cool capture, Roxy-sensei! I feel bit creepy.
photosynthesis
So much for "turn the other cheek" & "the meek shall inherit the earth", huh? Your POV effectively accentuates the imposing presence of this structure...
eekdog
so cool! did you have an invite?? would love the inside shots also.
brewgirlca
@eekdog. I paid a fee and so like most things Catholic that was good enough to gain entrance :-)
barryjeffer
This is the very image of Greed and Power, IMHO. But what a perfect Gothic image. A most beautiful shot Roxy. I love this.
vyktohria
WOW! Outstanding capture...the B&W really does it justice!
RaykesPictures
Intimidating place!
JuliSonne
The perspective makes the building stand up in the sky ..... GREAT, Roxy
mtdana
Great capture and history! Your boarder looks like smoke and after reading your description it now looks very intimidating.
SidheRoseGraphics
I'll wait outside ;) Nice capture, Roxy.
rhol_figament
Imagine the people it took to build it over many years...
Ash888
Another great shot! Thank you Roxy. Now, can I move in ;)
chaylastorm
fantastic image of the palace.
alanwilliams
a quite stunning structure
magnus073
This is such a dramatic look in capture, Roxie. I very much enjoyed the background information you provided
ToniDunlap
Quite Amazing and so beautiful. Thank you for sharing this treasure!
Annie_Photography
wonderful shot , I like it
drifterlee
Very cool castle!!!!!!
RodS
An impressive and imposing edifice indeed! Many folks do think those 'crosses' are purely decorative, but they are 'pointedly' wrong about that! A great capture, Roxy - now you have me on the edge of my seat, waiting to see this 'wicked defensive feature' you speak of!
adorety
You've definitely captured it's spirit of intimidation. Interesting tidbit on the symbol above the door. I've always enjoyed the irony of holy places founded on love, peace and tolerance seem to have the best fortifications. I guess it takes a lot to defend and enforce one's point of view.
abreojos
From France to dreams of Wyoming...what more can you ask for? You have a great eye for detail!
nefertiabet
Beautiful place and shot my friend!!!
netot
I love this one! Pov. makes it really impressive.