Perpignan …. the Centre of the Universe

 

The medieval town of Perpignan began in the 10th century with ownership of its land in the early years bouncing between France and Spain. In the 15th century Perpignan was attacked by Louis XI. citadel (Medium)After an uprising against its French rulers, Perpignan was ultimately handed back to Aragon and the French focused its attention on invading Italy.   

 

The Cathedral Saint Jean Cathedral Saint Jean Baptiste (Medium)Baptiste is nestled amongst 14th and 15th century buildings. The pedestrian area of the old town once housed the city’s stock exchange and in its day was said to be the centre of Perpignan life.

 

campo santo (Medium)In the shadow of St. John’s cathedral is the Campo Santo. This is the only cloister cemetery in France and is made up of four main galleries with long rows of white marble gothic porticoes. The grounds were closed when we visited so we snapped this picture through the iron gates!

Le  Palais des Rois de Majorque, in the heart of the citadel, has magnificent medieval military andLe Palais des Rois de Majorque (Medium) civil architecture. This fort was built  in 1276 to accommodate the Court of Jack the 1st of Majorca.

 

Salvador Dali visited Perpignan in 1963 and  declared the city’s Perpignan Centre du Monde (Medium)railway station as the centre of the universe. It’s said he got good ideas when he sat in its waiting room.  On the station’s platform there’s a monument to Dali which reads Perpignan Centre du Monde.

We are staying in a border community just outside of Perpignan. We enjoy touring through the city both to explore its history and to do our shopping. They have a giant market where we will pick up some local honey, herbs and cheese to take home with us.

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