Buildings Châteauneuf-du-Pape

drawing album laincel dates second half of 17th century

there no surviving plans of castle 14th century. earliest depiction anonymous drawing album laincel in collection of musée calvet in avignon dates second half of 17th century. time castle had not been maintained 3 centuries , drawing interpretation artist of surviving structure. source of information plan of village 1813 cadastre indicates position of of buildings not original function. appearance of donjon before destruction in 1944 known old photographs.

the main entrance castle above village , consisted of 2 successive gatehouses. first on path church , second east of donjon. vulnerable north side of castle have been protected deep ditch. northern entrance defended tower , accessed drawbridge. little known buildings of castle other ruined donjon , papal apartments. castle contained chapel dedicated saint catherine location uncertain. donjon had ground floor low barrel vaulted ceiling , 2 upper levels rib vaulted ceilings. large roof terrace surrounded machicolated battlement. floors connected stone staircase built thickness of western wall. entrance tower on east side protected unusually tall bretèche. similar bretèche survives above entrance tour philippe-le-bel in villeneuve-lès-avignon.

the 2 large ruined walls west of donjon formed part of rectangular building reserved pope , close associates. large ground-floor room 26 m in length, 9 m in width , 5.5 m in height. ceiling supported wooden beams 3 central columns. floor paved large stone slabs. room, smaller room north, used storage. on first floor great hall of castle in banquets have been held. had same dimensions ground floor storeroom higher ceiling (6.5 m). lit 4 large rectangular windows providing views on rhône valley. there 3 smaller windows increase ventilation, 2 facing west , 1 facing south. walls decorated frescoes , band of large red, bistre , black roses. door @ north end of hall opened well-lit smaller room chimney. main entrance hall on east side near donjon , close modern steps. top floor of building lit 3 large windows provided benches , 3 smaller rectangular windows. irregular pattern of windows suggests there several rooms, perhaps apartments pope. tiled roof 2 equal slopes entirely protected large outer walls.