The Popes' Palace was not designed and built on the whim of a mere nobleman; the edifice was the brainchild of the greatest prince of his age. The main purpose of the building was to house the government of the Church, whose Pontiff was more than just the boss, the father, il papa.The project reflected this scale; it was the largest undertaking of its era. Historians have highlighted the fact that the project assembled a veritable melting pot of expertise, uniting the skills of craftsmen and artists from all over Europe. Its walls still feature a stunning array of artwork, offering an extensive panorama of 14th-century painting. This kaleidoscope of cultures helps to explain the influence exerted by the Palace in its day. The remarkable building, which has held the public's fascination through the centuries, continues to attract thousands of visitors who travel frorn far-flung parts of the world to discover and admire this incomparable rnonument