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All France Albi Albi Cathedral

Albi Cathedral

A medieval church with largest and oldest collection of Renaissance frescoes in France.

Albi, France

Added By
Sam
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Fresco ceilings   Franck Brémeault
Fresco ceilings   Franck Brémeault
Albi Cathedral   Pom²
Depiction of the Last Judgement   Pom²
Tromp-l’oeil frescos   Jean-noël Lafargue
Saint Cecilia relics   Jean-noël Lafargue
Cathédrale d’Albi   philoursmars / Atlas Obscura User
Cathédrale d’Albi   philoursmars / Atlas Obscura User
Cathédrale d’Albi   philoursmars / Atlas Obscura User
Cathédrale d’Albi   philoursmars / Atlas Obscura User
Cathédrale d’Albi   philoursmars / Atlas Obscura User
Cathédrale d’Albi   philoursmars / Atlas Obscura User
Cathédrale d’Albi   philoursmars / Atlas Obscura User
Cathédrale d’Albi   philoursmars / Atlas Obscura User
Cathédrale d’Albi   philoursmars / Atlas Obscura User
Cathédrale d’Albi   philoursmars / Atlas Obscura User
Cathédrale d’Albi   philoursmars / Atlas Obscura User
Cathédrale d’Albi   philoursmars / Atlas Obscura User
Cathédrale d’Albi   philoursmars / Atlas Obscura User
Cathédrale d’Albi   philoursmars / Atlas Obscura User
Cathédrale d’Albi   philoursmars / Atlas Obscura User
Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile   Jaszmina Szendrey / Atlas Obscura User
Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile   Jaszmina Szendrey / Atlas Obscura User
Interior, circa 1899   Eugene Trutat
Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile   Jaszmina Szendrey / Atlas Obscura User
Albi Cathedral   Flickr user @lain G
Albi Cathedral   Flickr user couscouschocolat
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In addition to its impressive size and Southern French Gothic style, this medieval cathedral contains the largest and oldest collection of Renaissance frescoes in all of France. They cover nearly 200,000 square feet, and depict religious and historical scenes, as well as geometric optical illusions. 

First completed in about the 4th century, the Albi cathedral didn't last long. The original cathedral was burnt down in 666, an ironic year given its holy purpose.

A second version was built around 920, and then its final replacement began construction in the 13th century. After 200 years, it was finally completed, and remains one of the most impressive and large brick buildings in the world. 

The church also house some religious relics, claiming to be the body parts of the Saint Cecelia to whom the cathedral is dedicated. 

Related Tags

Renaissance Churches Art Medieval Sacred Spaces

Community Contributors

Added By

SamM

Edited By

philoursmars, Jaszmina Szendrey

  • philoursmars
  • Jaszmina Szendrey

Published

January 3, 2017

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Sources
  • https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cath%C3%A9drale_Sainte-C%C3%A9cile_d'Albi
  • http://www.cite-episcopale-albi.fr/decouvrir/cathedrale-sainte-cecile/focus/architecture-25/la-brique.html?lang=fr
  • http://www.mairie-albi.fr/la-cath%C3%A9drale-sainte-c%C3%A9cile-0
Albi Cathedral
5 Boulevard Général Sibille
Albi
France
43.928519, 2.142559
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