Albi - Cathedral of Ste Cécile
The dominant architectural feature of Albi is the fortress-like Cathedral of Ste-Cécile, one of the great achievements of the brick-built Gothic of southern France, which was begun in 1282, on the site of an earlier church, and completed in 1480. The nave is almost 100 m/330ft long, 20 m/65ft wide and 30 m/100ft high; its defensive walls tower to a height of 41 m/ 135ft.
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The massive tower was increased in height in the 15th century.
The Cathedral is entered through the south doorway and a richly decorated porch known as the Baldaquin. The aisleless nave is separated from the choir by an elaborately carved French roof screen of about 1500, unfortunately almost all the statues which were on it have been lost. Along the north and south sides are a series of square chapels separated by projecting piers, which appear on the outside of the building as small engaged round towers. The choir has rich sculptural decoration, with angels on the inside and Old and New Testament figures on the outside; Burgundian influence is evident in the carving. On the inside of the west front is a fresco of the Last Judgment (late 15th C; damaged in 17th and 18th C). The organ was installed in 1734-1736.
The Cathedral is entered through the south doorway and a richly decorated porch known as the Baldaquin. The aisleless nave is separated from the choir by an elaborately carved French roof screen of about 1500, unfortunately almost all the statues which were on it have been lost. Along the north and south sides are a series of square chapels separated by projecting piers, which appear on the outside of the building as small engaged round towers. The choir has rich sculptural decoration, with angels on the inside and Old and New Testament figures on the outside; Burgundian influence is evident in the carving. On the inside of the west front is a fresco of the Last Judgment (late 15th C; damaged in 17th and 18th C). The organ was installed in 1734-1736.
