Medieval France
. Founded in the 10th century, Perpignan (Pyrénées-Orientales) became the capital of Majorca from 1276 to 1344; it was later incorporated into the principality of Catalonia, in which it was second in importance only to Barcelona. It was here that King Philip III the Bold died while at war with Peter III of Aragon. In the 13th and 14th centuries, Perpignan was an important center of the textile industry. The Palace of the Kings of Majorca, begun in 1276 in Catalan Gothic style on a rectangular plan, is eloquent testimony to the wealth and prestige of Perpignan. It opens onto a large central courtyard with, on two sides, arcades supporting elegant loggias. A third side has superimposed chapels of the 14th century with 15th-century murals. Further witness to the military importance of the town is the Castillet, an imposing rose-brick fort with machicolations and battlements erected in 1367 and enlarged in 1483.
The citadel dates from the 16th century.
The cathedral of Saint-Jean was begun in 1324 in Catalan Gothic style but completed only in 1509. It has a broad aisleless nave and a spacious apse with polygonal radiating chapels. Within these are a series of 15th- and 16th-century altar frontals in Catalan style. The earlier church of Saint-Jean-le-Vieux, begun in the 11th century, has a spacious nave from the early 13th century. The Ro-manesque sculpture on the main portal, with its elegant statue of Christ, is noteworthy.
William W.Kibler/William W.Clark
Ponsich, Pierre. “Saint-Jean-le-Vieux de Perpignan.” Études Roussillonnaises 3 (1953):105–36.
——.“Saint-Jean-le-Vieux de Perpignan” and “La cathédrale Saint-Jean de Perpignan.” Congrès archéologique (Roussillon) 112 (1954):31–86.
Verrier, Jean, and Sylvain Stym-Popper. “Perpignan: le palais des rois de Majorque.” Congrès archéologique (Roussillon) 112 (1954):9–30.
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