Gothic Fortress: Palais des Papes

Deep within its ramparts, Avignon is home to a medieval city and structure built over 800 years ago: the Palais des Papes, or Papal Palace. Every year, over half a million people visit this majestic megastructure. To build the colossal edifice, new construction methods were invented and builders had to work day and night to erect this powerful symbol of the Church in the span of only 20 years.