Avignon, France

AVIGNON, France

(ah-veen-yohn)

The city where there was a 2nd Pope for 68 years (1309-1377).

The Palace Square with the Palace of the Popes, the Petit Palais, and the Cathedral (pictured below).  In the 1300's the Catholic Church had their headquarters moved from Italy to here, Avignon, France ... cardinals and residences.  With the pope in France, the Italians demanded a pope.  So in 1378 they got a pope ... and then there were two.  Nothing like two cities and two countries battling for where and which Pope to follow.  Avignon, France vs Rome, Italy.  The Cathedral, below, is Avignon's cathedral. 

The Rhône River with the St. Bénezet Bridge.

Built between 1171 and 1185 it was the only bridge in the Middle Ages crossing the Rhône river.  It used to be 3,000 feet long, with 22 arches.  It connected Vatican to France (not the today Vatican, but the once long ago Vatican).  The bridge was ruined by floods and rebuilt, but after the 1668 icy flood that knocked down most of the bridge they decided not to rebuild it again.