Dominique is
also new. These noble mural defenses, three miles in circuit, twice
narrowly escaped demolition--at the construction of the railway, when they
were saved by a vigorous protest of Prosper Merimee, and in 1902, when, on
the pretext that they blocked the development of the city, the
municipality decided to demolish the unrestored portions. Luckily the
intervention of a public-spirited Prefect of Vaucluse proved successful,
and they were again rescued from the housewrecker's pick. No visitor to
Avignon should omit to walk or drive round the famous ramparts.
Their stones have been subjected to careful scrutiny by antiquarians and
the masons' marks (tacherons)--about 4,500--carefully examined and reduced
to about four hundred and fifty types. Opinions differ as to the meaning
of these curious signs, but there is little doubt that M. Maire's
suggestion is the correct one--the workmen were paid by the piece, and
each had his own private mark which he cut on the stones he laid and thus
enabled the foreman to check his work.
We begin at the Porte du Rhone, and skirt the older part of the walls on
the northwest with their different style of corbels and machicoulis.
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