Albi Cathedral

Albi Cathedral (French: "Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile d'Albi") is the most important religious edifice in Albi, southern France. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Albi (in full, Albi-Castres-Lavaur).

History

It was constructed from 1282 to 1480, built in the wake of the Albigensian heresy of the Cathars and the brutal crusade brought against it. This crusade, lead by Simon de Montfort, involved the burning of 400 Cathares—as well as numerous cases of rape, pillage, and execution. The sentiment of the crusade is reflected in papal legate Arnaud Amaury's order: "Kill them all; God will know his own". In the aftermath of the bloodshed, the cathedral's presence was intended to bear testimony to the Christian faith, and its fortress-like exterior likely reflects this.

Features

It is built in the Southern Gothic Style. Notable architectural features include the bell-tower (added in 1492), which stands 78 meters tall, and the doorway by Dominique de Florence (added circa 1392).

The elaborate interior stands in stark contrast to the cathedral's military exterior. The central chœur, reserved for members of the religious order, is surrounded by a roodscreen with detailed filigree stone work and a group of polychrome statues. Below the organ, a fresco of the "Last Judgement", attributed to unknown Flemish painters, originally covered nearly 200 m² (the central area was later removed). The frescoes on the enormous vaulted ceiling comprise the largest and oldest ensemble of Italian Renaissance painting in France.

The cathedral organ, the work of the artist Christophe Moucherel, dates from the 18th century.

External links

* [http://www.mairie-albi.fr/arthisto/lieux/stececile/cathedrale.html Page on the site for the municipal government of Albi]
* [http://www.scholares.net/index.php?Gazetteer-Albi Location]
* [http://www.albi-tourisme.com/us/pagesEditos.asp?id=8D9CB513&idpage=133 Albi Tourist Office site on the Cathedral]