The historical centre of Manosque underwent few changes between the Middle Ages and the French Revolution. The first tangible traces of human presence on the Manosque territory date back to the 2nd or 3rd century of our era. Signs of life unearthed during archaeological digs showed the presence of vestiges near Our Lady of Romigier church, situated in the historical centre of Manosque. This settlement, “the roots” of Manosque, existed continously until the Middle Ages, when it was called a bourg (burgum) or town. Other castle habitations were constructed on the hills, but they were eventually absorbed by the lower part of the village. They were the castrum of Mont d’Or, Toutes Aures, and Montaigu.
In the Middle Ages, Manosque was divided into 4 neighbourhoods: Palais, Martels, Payans and Hébréards. The total population was nearly 5,000. There were four doors, situated at the 4 cardinal points, each giving access to a different neighbourhood. Two of them still exist today. The south gate is called la Saunerie which means “the salt door”. Built at the end of the 14th century, it is still in its original state. As its name suggests, the door was used to stock salt. The Soubeyran door is situated to the north of the medieval wall, and is mentioned as early as 1216 in the archives, as the portali superiori. The current vestiges date back to the 14th century.
The general appearance of the city hardly changed until the earthquake in 1708, when all the houses and the hospital were damaged. The hospital was rebuilt in the middle of the 18th century. It was the first building to be constructed outside the fortified walls.
References:The Clementinum is a historic complex of buildings in Prague. Until recently the complex hosted the National, University and Technical libraries, the City Library also being located nearby on Mariánské Náměstí. The Technical library and the Municipal library have moved to the Prague National Technical Library at Technická 6 since 2009. It is currently in use as the National Library of the Czech Republic.
Its history dates from the existence of a chapel dedicated to Saint Clement in the 11th century. A Dominican monastery was founded in the medieval period, which was transformed in 1556 to a Jesuit college. In 1622 the Jesuits transferred the library of Charles University to the Klementinum, and the college was merged with the University in 1654. The Jesuits remained until 1773, when the Klementinum was established as an observatory, library, and university by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.