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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Ferrande Tower, built in the 12th century in Pernes-les-Fontaines, is a three-storey square building, remarkable for its 13th century frescoes. These murals, considered the first military frescoes of France, represent scenes related to Charles I, Count of Provence and King of Sicily, including his inauguration by Pope Clement IV and his battles in southern Italy. The tower, which was listed as a historic monument in 1862, would have been used to preserve the archives of the Order of Hospitallers of St John of Jerusalem, as suggested by the niches on the first and second floors.

The location of these frescoes in Pernes-les-Fontaines, then capital of Comtat Venaissin, may seem surprising, but their sponsor would be a member of the Baux family, knight of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, having accompanied Charles I during his campaigns in Italy. The frescoes illustrate key episodes such as the inauguration of Charles I, the Battle of Bénévent in 1266, the death of Manfred, and the beheading of Conradin, as well as legendary scenes such as that of William of Orange terrorizing the giant Isoré.

The frescoes on the third floor also include symbolic representations, such as that of Saint Christophe bearing Christ, or a gallant scene between a noble and a lady. These works, made by an eyewitness to the events, offer a unique visual testimony of Charles I's political and military ambitions in Italy. Their style and iconography reflect the Provencal influences and the links between the papacy, the local nobility, and the military religious orders.

The absence of a chimney in the tower excludes residential use, while the presence of coats of arms, such as those of the Baux, and Latin legends reinforces the hypothesis of a symbolic or administrative function. The frescoes, by their detail and narrative, constitute a major historical document, mixing real facts and legendary elements, while illustrating the complex relations between Provence, Comtat Venaissin, and the Mediterranean kingdoms in the Middle Ages.

The Ferrande Tower, with its early classification as the Historic Monuments, thus embodies an exceptional architectural and pictorial heritage. His study continues to reveal elements on artistic practices, political alliances, and the life of religious orders in the 13th century, while stressing the role of Pernes-les-Fontaines as a cultural and political crossroads in southern medieval France.

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