Pont Saint-Benezet description and photos - France: Avignon (Topic)

Pont Saint-Benezet description and photos - France: Avignon. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Pont Saint-Benezet.

Photo and description

Pont Saint-Benese is located over the Rhone river, not far from the Palais des Papes. He is known for several reasons. This bridge was immortalized in the 15th century children's song “Sur le Pont d'Avignon”, sung by children around the world. For example, in China it is even studied at school. In the XX century, this song was performed by the inimitable Mireille Mathieu.

Of course, the Saint-Benese bridge also has historical value. The legend about him is very beautiful. In the XII century, a 12-year-old boy Benoit had a divine vision. The angel told him to go and build a bridge across the river. And little Benoit began to build a bridge. Construction was delayed for 8 years and lasted from 1177 to 1185. Later, little Benoit became known as Saint Benese, and this bridge bears his name.

Upon completion of construction, the bridge had 22 arched spans and a length of 915 meters and connected the territories of France and the Papal State. It became the first ferry crossing for travelers and merchants who walked along the Rhone from the sea. There were border outposts, as well as tax and duty collection points.

The uneasy nature of the Rhone caused numerous damage to this structure. The first arch of the bridge collapsed in 1603, and then, in 1605, three more arches collapsed. However, in 1628 all four spans were restored. A new collapse occurred a few years after the opening of the renovated bridge - in 1633 two arches collapsed, and in 1669, after a severe flood, only four spans remained on the Rhone. Only these four spans and the chapel of St. Nicholas on the second pylon have survived to this day, mixed Romanesque-Gothic style.

The two-story chapel of St. Nicholas, located in the center of a dilapidated bridge, served as the burial place of St. Benedict, the patron saint of Provence. In 1674, the relics of the saint were transferred to the Celestine Church of Avignon, but during the French Revolution the relics of the saint were lost.

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Topic: Pont Saint-Benezet description and photos - France: Avignon.