Aywaille - Saint Pierre

Aywaille hosted a Cluniac priory since 1088. Parts of the former convent`s church, erected end of the 10th century, served as
for the construction of today´s church, seen here.

In 1254 Thibauld Visconti was prior here. He was born in Piacenza (Italy) and started a long career. In 1271 he was elected Pope under the name of Gregory X.

Gregory X was elected in the longest conclave ever. It took exactly 1005 days (from November 1268 to September 1271).

The election finally occurred more than a year after the magistrates of Viterbo locked the cardinals in and reduced their rations to bread and water. There is a legend telling, that the roof of the "Palazzo dei Papi" was removed, so that the cardinals had to stay under the open sky - and the Holy Spirit found a better entrance.