Historians tend to believe that already in the 4th century there was a basilica on the site of the Cathedral, not far from which was the residence of the bishop. But soon the basilica was destroyed and already in the 12th century, the current building in the Romanesque style appeared in its place. And the gilded statue of the Virgin Mary appeared on one of the towers of the Cathedral only in the 19th century. Today, Notre Dame de Dome serves as the residence of the Archbishop of Avignon and is under the protection of UNESCO.→