Defensive Wall

This high wall enclosed and protected the papal city of Avignon. The Popes chose this place as their primary residence and also as the capital of the Catholic Church, so it was no longer in Rome. The wall had a length of 4330 meters. It was built in 1355 by Innocent VI as a replacement for an old wall that was too small to protect the city. Since Avignon was an important commercial and a religious crossroads, many bandits threatened the peace of the Popes and their proteges. They had well fortified towers where they could hide their treasures. The wall was finished during the reign of Urbain V.