- Saint-Pons-de-Thomières Cathedral
Saint-Pons-de-Thomières Cathedral ("Cathédrale Saint-Pons de Saint-Pons-de-Thomières") is a former
Roman Catholic cathedral, and national monument ofFrance , inSaint-Pons-de-Thomières .It was formerly the seat of the
Bishopric of Saint-Pons , founded like a number of bishoprics in the region in the aftermath of the suppression of theAlbigensians . By aPapal bull dated18 February 1318 ,Pope John XXII created the see by elevating the abbey of Saint-Pons, which had been here since its foundation in 936 by Raymond, Count of Toulouse. The bishopric was abolished by theConcordat of 1801 and merged into theDiocese of Montpellier .The Romanesque abbey church became the present cathedral. It takes its dedication, like the town and the abbey, from Saint Pontius of Cimiez. It is particularly known for the carvings on and around the portals. During the
French Wars of Religion the choir was destroyed; it was replaced with the presentneo-classical east front.ources
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10545a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Montpellier, incl Diocese of Saint-Pons]
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