Saint Martial's Chapel, Palace of Popes, Medieval chapel in Palace of Popes, France
Description
Saint Martial's Chapel in the Palace of Popes is a medieval place of worship decorated with detailed wall paintings. The frescoes spiral from the ceiling down to the walls, forming connected picture stories.
History
In the 1340s, Pope Clement VI hired an Italian painter to decorate the chapel while the papacy was based in Avignon. This decoration took place during a period when popes made their residence in this French city instead of Rome.
Culture
The chapel displays scenes from Saint Martial's life that present him as an early spreader of faith in southern regions. These images helped people understand the story of this holy figure through visual narratives.
Practical
The chapel is located on the second floor of Saint John's tower and can be reached through the main dining hall. Visitors should be prepared to climb several sets of stairs to access this space.
Did you know?
The artist used a special painting technique where colors were applied directly to a single layer of plaster. This method created more intense and vivid color tones than the double-layer technique that was standard at the time.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Avignon).
Palais des Papes
4 m
Avignon Cathedral
93 m
Historic Centre of Avignon
243 m
Cour d'honneur du palais des papes
0 m
Hôtel des Monnaies
94 mRoman arcades of Avignon
126 m
Hotel Galeans des Issarts
158 m
Hotel Pamard
86 m
Hotel de Madon de Chateaublanc
119 m
Hôtel Calvet de la Palun
114 m
Hôtel d'Adhémar de Cransac
95 m
Maisons et tour de Mirault
96 m
Grande chapelle du palais des papes d'Avignon
79 m
Escaliers Sainte-Anne
147 m
Place du Palais
73 m
Golden pipe organ
93 m
Immeubles, 28-30-32-34-36-38-40-42-44-46-48-50-52 rue de la Balance
150 m
Jardin des Doms war memorial
113 m
Immeuble, 26 rue de la Balance
149 m
Vice gérence
100 m
Maison, 8 rue Pente-Rapide-d'Avignon
128 m
Maison, 21 place du Palais
134 m
17 - 19 Place du Palais
98 m
Maison, 15 place du Palais
98 m
Maisons, 5-7 place du Palais
109 m
Immeuble, rue de la Balance
144 m
Immeubles, 2-4-6-8-10-12-14-16 rue de la Balance
140 m
Maison, 11 rue Banasterie
119 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes