Palais des papes of Sorgues, Papal palace in Sorgues, France
The palace structure displays Gothic architecture with narrow windows, ornate walls, and a central tower that dominates the entrance point.
Construction of this first Avignon Papacy residence began in 1317 under Pope John XXII and finished in 1324, preceding the Avignon papal palace.
The palace contained ceremonial halls, private chambers, and extensive kitchens, reflecting the sophisticated lifestyle of medieval papal administration.
The remains of the palace lie beneath several meters of silt, with archaeological excavations potentially revealing additional structural information.
The palace served as a strategic location for minting papal coins, an activity that was not permitted within the city of Avignon.
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