Eleanor of Aquitaine had the Great Hall of the Palace of the Dukes of Aquitaine in Poitiers built some time after 1160. It replaced an older great hall. The sculptors who worked on it also worked on the nearby Cathedral. Eleanor's Hall features a new entry, aligned with the Roman bridge, and including an impressive flight of stairs.
The grand entrance to the Hall.
In modern times the Hall has mostly been referred to as the Salle des pas perdu (the room of lost steps). This is by virtue of its function as a vestibule for the courthouse (palais de justice). Large rooms such as this which are spaces where the public can gather outside of the tribunal are known by this rather curious term. The etymology is very uncertain, with several dubious anecdotes commonly told to explain the expression. The term has been used since at least the 17th century.
Eleanor, I assume.
1 comment:
It is very impressive... They knew how to build back then when money didn't matter!!
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