Pont dâAvignon
Quick Summary
The Pont d'Avignon, also known as the Pont Saint-Bénézet, is a famous bridge in Avignon, France, that crosses the RhÎne River. Construction began in 1177, instigated by St. Bénézet, an uneducated shepherd who claimed divine inspiration to build the bridge where Roman engineers had failed. Despite initial skepticism, the project gained support and funding from a "Bridge-Building Brotherhood".12
The bridge was completed about four years after St. Bénézet's death and stood for nearly 500 years before being abandoned in 1680. Today, only four arches remain, but the bridge is immortalized in the popular song "Sur le pont d'Avignon". The city of Avignon itself has a rich history, serving as the papal capital from 1309 to 1377 and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.12
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