Pont d’Avignon, also known as Saint Bénézet bridge, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting thousands of visitors annually. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
Ancient Times
Since the Roman times, Avignon has been an important trade route with many cities developed at the crossroads, including Avignon Vienne, Lyon, and Arles.
Rhone was considered an angry area, with legendary rages and sacrifices in the pre-Christian era. It was also exposed to frequent flooding
Pont d’Avignon
A shepherd arrived in Avignon in 1177, he was twelve years old when he was given the go-ahead to build a bridge in Avignon. Arriving in Avignon, he was faced with mockery. The tale says that he was told to take a rock, throwing it in the river. Approaching the rock, two angels appeared, helping him throw the rock, which became the first stone for the bridge.
This legend can be dated back to the twelfth century. The shepherd, Benezet passed away in 1184 before the bridge was completed. He was called a Saint with the second pillar in the lower chapel containing his relics. They were later transferred to the Place des Corps Saints in 1674.
Constructing Pont d’Avignon
The Saint Benezet Bridge, Pont d’Avignon, was believed to be made using masonry and wood with construction starting in 1177 and being completed in 1185. The bridge was constructed during summer when the water levels were at their lowest with approximately one hundred workers building one to two bridge pillars each year.
Construction of the pillars was distinct based on the terrain. During the clearing of pebbles, workers came across dry soil, which was used to lay the wooden footing, creating a stable platform where they could build the pillars.
Due to the fact that it was possible the soil could be wet, they created a form work, known as cofferdam. This is watertight, made using a mixture of earth and manure. With the soil dry, they could place their wooden piles.
The tricky side came into placing the pillars in the water. They still used cofferdam, using boats, slowing down pumping, as the river current played a major role.
With the pillars build, wooden form work was used to place stones that would create the arches of Pont d’Avignon.
Why is the Bridge Destroyed?
Numerous research has been carried out on Pont d’Avignon over the years to determine why the bridge couldn’t stand the test of time, offering several reasons including climate, geology, and economic factors.
In the twelfth century, the little ice age began, cooling Europe. As spring arrived, the melting ice resulted in major floods and with the weight of the water, the pillars started to erode.
Also the fact the bridge was build on a bed of pebbles and silty ground made it more vulnerable to the rivers water levels. Not to mention, that the bridge may not have been properly maintained, as the organisation responsible for managing the bridge was also in charge of maintaining the local hospitals. The organisation split in the thirteenth century into a secular and religious group. The religious side managed the hospitals, and the second has to maintain the bridge on a limited budget, making it impossible to maintain it effectively.
Famous Song
There is a famous French nursery rhyme about Pont d’Avignon, known as “le sourd ou l’auberge pleine,” by Adolphe Adam in 1853 This rhyme tells what happens on weekends, along with the inhabitants of Avignon that would visit the bridge to picnic and dance.
Conclusion – Pont d’Avignon Today
Pont d’Avignon was classified with Place of the Popes in 1995 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an emblem to Avignon. It is one of the most visited monuments in the city. It is also surrounded by wonderful walks and cycling routes, enabling you to make the most of your experience when visiting Avignon. Cooking Classes in Provence is a leading private cooking class provider, enabling you to learn the history and culture of the area through aromatic dishes. Get in touch today to find out more.
