Cathedral Fortress of Albi

Cathedral Fortress of Albi January 17, 2014
This a French cathedral built throughout the 13th and 15th centuries.  While the French elsewhere built magnificent Gothic churches from stone, the cathedral of Albi was built with bricks.  Rather than building the expected cathedral with flying buttresses and beautiful stained glass windows, the bishops of Albi built an impenetrable fortress with only one elevated side entrance.  In contrast to its stark exterior, no detail was spared in its interior, making it as spectacular as other cathedrals.  Stories tell that 18th century government inspectors were bribed so they would not reform its beautiful interior making it one of the best preserved French cathedrals today.
Good luck climbing these walls to get in through the windows!
The bishops of Albi had a good reason for building a fortress rather than a conventional cathedral.  In the 13th century an erroneous interpretation of Christianity emerged in Southern France known today as Catharism and those who followed it were known as Cathars.  Because of Albi’s location in Southern France where the heresy took root, the Cathars were also called Albigensians.  In 1209 Pope Innocent III called a Crusade against the Cathars and the French crown responded with great interest since it had a desire to control those lands.  By the end of the century there were no more Albigensians.
The only entrance with a touch of gothic architecture
Since the bishops of Albi remained faithful to Rome they had to protect themselves from threats and attacks from their own people who rejected Church teaching.  The cathedral had to be easily defended due to attacks while also having an imposing appearance to express the bishop’s power.  Since Cathars were dualists, believing in two equal forces, one good and the other evil where the material world was evil and the spiritual world was good, the bishops decorated the interior of the cathedral sparing no expense or detail.  The cathedral expressed the goodness and beauty of the material world as part of God’s creation.

 

The Order of Preachers (Dominicans) was founded by Saint Dominic to combat the Albigensians after his visit from Spain to Toulouse in Southern France.  He saw the need for sound preaching to convert the Cathars back to orthodox belief so he founded the Order of Preachers.  Dominic made Toulouse the order’s headquarters and he along with his friars preached throughout the area.

Somewhat hidden and tucked away from the path of tourists, Albi is a beautiful town worthy of a visit.  I first saw a picture of this Cathedral of Saint Cecilia my senior year in high school and I said to myself, “one day I will go there.”  In 2008 I traveled across Southern France stopping in Toulouse for a night.  Noticing Albi was less than an hour away from Toulouse, I made the trip and enjoyed it greatly!
Bishop’s Palace

 

Albigensian Street

 

Yummy rabbit!
Pictures are mine, all rights reserved

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