Albi Cathedral

Cathedral of Saint Cecilia of Albi
Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile d'Albi
View of Albi Cathedral
Religion
AffiliationCatholic Church
ProvinceArchdiocese of Albi within Ecclesiastical Province of Toulouse
RegionMidi-Pyrénées
RiteLatin
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusCathedral
LeadershipJean Legrez
StatusActive
Location
LocationPlace Sainte-Cécile, Albi, France France
Geographic coordinates43°55′43″N 2°08′35″E / 43.928492°N 2.142945°E / 43.928492; 2.142945
Architecture
Typechurch
StyleSouthern French Gothic
Groundbreaking1282
Completed1480
Specifications
Length113.5 m (372 ft)
Width35 m (115 ft)
Height (max)78 m (256 ft)
Materialsred brick
Official nameCathédrale Sainte-Cécile d'Albi
LocationEurope
CriteriaCultural: (ii), (iv), (vi)
Inscription2010 (34th Session)

The Cathedral of Saint Cecilia of Albi (French: Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile d'Albi), also known as Albi Cathedral, is the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Albi. First built in the aftermath of the Albigensian Crusade, the grim exterior resembles a fortress, but the interior is lavishly decorated with art and sculpture, a very ornate choir screen, and walls in bright blues and golds, in the Toulousian or Southern French Gothic style. It was begun in 1282 and was under construction for 200 years. It is claimed to be the largest brick building in the world.[1] In 2010 the cathedral, along with its episcopal buildings, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its unique architecture and the remarkable consistency in its design.[2][3]

  1. ^ Holly Haynes, "Albi Cathedral", Sacred Destinations
  2. ^ Sire 2013, p. 3.
  3. ^ "Episcopal City of Albi". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 21 November 2021.