July 09, 2003
Pontification
The Popes' palace in the walled city of Avignon is of almost preposterous proportions, a huge, blunt chunk of rock that imposes its presence on its surroundings in the same way that its occupants imposed their rule on the subjects of Europe during the 14th century. Avignon was the seat of power for 7 French popes, the first of which decamped from Rome following strife among the various kingdoms in Italy. It is also the sort of place that confirms every paranoid nightmare of the likes of Ian Paisley - the Popes lived in the lap of luxury, enjoying whatever delights that were on offer, and the entire of complex of buildings bears witness to the cost and effort required to keep the papacy in the manner to which they felt they were entitled.
Indeed, they constructed a hilltop castle in a nearby village as their 'summer house', overlooking a bend on the Rhone. The village is now named after the castle - Châteauneuf-du-pape, which is better known for the rather fine wines produced in the vineyards surrounding the village.
Caption: If cars had been invented in the 14 century, the pope would drive a Porsche
Rev. Paisley would feel more at home in the nearby town of Orange. Though the Orange Order take their name from the King William of Orange, who caused a bit of a stir here in the 17th century, the Orange title originated in the town of Orange in Provence, granted by Charlamagne. The town is dominated by a roman theatre, built in 5BC and in better nick than some of the stadia in the west of Ireland.
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Caption: Just like the Bertie Bowl, except that it exists. Caeser Augustus didn't have to worry about the PDs when he wanted to build the theatre at Orange.
There is also an Arc de Triompe, commemorating the Roman 2nd legion. They were pretty good at marching where they liked, too.
Caption: Veni, vidi, vici, etc. Built in 20 BC.
Posted by Monasette at July 9, 2003 11:12 PM | TrackBack