THE GRAND TINEL HALL

The vast hall of the Grand Tinel takes up an entire floor of the Consistory Wing. The word « tinel » was used in Italy and in the South of France for dining rooms or refectories.

« Tinellum » comes from the low Latin « tina », meaning barrel or cask. It was here that banquets were held on feast days, for instance when a cardinal was appointed or a Pope crowned. On days of abstinence or ordinary days, the Pope was served in the Petit Tinel. This enormous hall is well lit on the East side by six windows opening out onto the gardens.

Its wood-opanelled, balled-vaulted ceiling was reconstructed in the seventies and gives only a vague idea of what it was like in the 14th century. Indeed, at Clement VI’s request, blue fabric studded with gold stars covered the vault to create a celestial arch. The decor was destroyed by fire in 1413, as were the frescoes of religious subjects which once adorned the walls.