Cahors Cathedral

Cahors Cathedral ("Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Cahors") is a Roman Catholic cathedral and a national monument of France in the town of Cahors, Midi-Pyrénées. It is an impressive example of the transition between late Romanesque architecture and the Gothic.

Overview

The church was built by bishop Gerard de Cardaillac [Hughes fortified the rock of Cardaillac in Quercy (département of the Lot) in the mid-eleventh century, and the family remained prominent in the Hundred Years War; the Cardaillac produced two bishops of Montauban, Guillaume de Cardaillac (1317-1355) and Bertrand de Cardaillac (1359-1361).] in the 11th century, over a church erected in the 7th century by St. Didier of Cahors. It was consecrated by Pope Calixtus II on September 10 1119, and completed around 1135. The church, located in the city's centre, has the sturdy appearance of a fortified edifice: at the time, the local bishops were in fact also powerful feudal lords in their role as counts and barons of Cahors.

The façade, renovated in 1316-1324 by Guillaume de Labroue, cousin of Pope John XXII, confirms this impression: it resembles a heavy castle wall, consisting in a porch surmounted by a bell tower enclosed between two towers. The six windows, as well as those on the porch sides, are rather narrow; the only elements characterizing it as a church are the magnificent portal with triple splays, surmounted by a gallery of small arches, and the large rose window.On the northern side is a secondary façade in Romanesque style, also fortified.

Northern portal

Sculpted in 1135, the northern portal was moved in the 13th century to the northern façade. It has a notable tympanum with sculptures similar to those in Moissac, in a transitional style between Romanesque and Gothic art. The theme is the triumphal Ascension of Christ. Jesus, standing and with a hand raised in sign of benediction and greeting, and a Bible in the left hand, is surrounded by an oval gloriole (or mandorla) which underlines the ascending movement. On his side, two angels are explaining the showing to the Apostles who, under triple arcades, surrounds the Holy Virgin.On the left is a character with different features than the Apostles, and which has been identified as the unknown author of the work. On both sides of the angels is illustrated the history of St. Stephen, to whom the cathedral is dedicated, as told in the Acts of the Apostles. Over the mandorla, four small angels accompany Christ in his ascension.

The archivolt is decorated with a hunting scene with six figures facing in three, symbolizing the struggle between the vices and virtues.

Nave

The well-illuminated nave is 44 x 20 m wide. The two massive, 32 m-high, domes in Byzantines style, resting on pendentives, are supported by six huge pilasters. Unusually, there is no transept.

One of the domes is decorated with 14th century frescoes, depicting the stoning of St. Stephen as well as eight prophets, each riding an animal, in the fashion of Greek or Hindu deities. The walls have numerous other medieval paintings.

Apse

In Gothic style on a Romanesque base (to which belong the columns with decorated capitals), the apse has three chapels with sculptures. The complex forms a pleasant contrast between the white apse and the colorful stained glass and the paintings of the choir.

There are several tombs, such as that of Alain de Solminihac, and the precious relic of the Holy Cap, which supposedly was worn by Christ and which was brought to France by bishop Gerard de Cardillac after his trip to the Holy Land in 1113.

Cloister

A door on the right of the choir gives access to the Flamboyant Gothic-style cloister, built in 1504 by bishop Anthony of Luzech. It has scenes of everyday life and a Madonna.

On the western side is the St. Gaubert Chapel, with the vault decorated with Italian Renaissance paintings and, on the walls, 15th century frescoes representing the "Last Judgement". It is now home to a museum of Religious Art.

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