Palais des Papes Audio Guide
Explore Palais des Papes with Stanza's GPS-triggered offline audio guide.
About the Tour
The Palais des Papes is a historic fortress and palace that served as the residence of the popes during the 14th century. It is one of the largest and most significant medieval Gothic buildings in Europe.
What you will hear
The Place du Palais and the Grand Facade
Establishing the scale of the world's largest Gothic palace. This stop highlights the transition from the austere fortress style of the Old Palace to the flamboyant Gothic of the New Palace.
The Main Facade
Welcome to one of the most formidable structures of the medieval world, the Palais des Papes. This sprawling complex is recognized as the largest Gothic building in all of Europe.
The Main Courtyard (Cour d'Honneur)
The central hub of the palace and a world-famous theatrical stage. This area connects the two main wings of the complex.
The Main Courtyard
Step into the Honor Courtyard, the nerve center of the palace where the Pope’s public and private worlds converged. This space once bustled with diplomats and high-ranking officials.
The Great Stage
In mid-summer, this silent stone courtyard transforms into one of the world's most prestigious stages. Since 1947, it has been the centerpiece of the Festival d'Avignon.
The Consistory Hall
Located in the Old Palace, this was the site of formal papal councils and judicial proceedings. It features rare sinopia (underdrawings) by Simone Martini.
The Consistory Wing
This wing served as the primary chamber for the Consistory, where the Pope met with his college of cardinals to govern the global Church.
Christ in Glory Sinopia
Look closely at these reddish drawings on the stone. They are sinopias, the hidden skeletal blueprints of frescoes that once adorned these walls.
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