Albi Cathedral, France (Part Nine).

Ceiling of Albi Cathedral.

Photo: 15 August 2008.

Source: Own work.

Author: Franck Brémeault

(Wikimedia Commons)

Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,
unless stated otherwise.

The Bishop’s Palace, next to the Cathedral, is formally known as the “Palais épiscopal de la Berbie”, and is included in the UNESCO historical site.

Its name comes from “Bisbia”, a local variation of the Occitan word for “Bishop”. The Bishop’s Palace was begun before the Cathedral, by Bishop Durand de Beaucaire (Bishop 1228 to 1254), and was built like a small fortress against the Cathars or other potential enemies.

The next resident, Bishop de Combret, fortified it further by connecting the Residence to the Cathedral Tower, twenty-five metres away, with a Wall, fortified with Bastions, and the addition of a Machicoulis over the entrance.

English: The Grand Organ and Nave ceiling of Albi Cathedral. A masterpiece by Christophe Moucherel, completed in 1736, with a monumental Buffet 16.40 m wide and 15.60 m high,

one of the most beautiful South of The Loire.

Christophe Moucherel being better known for the high quality of his Buffets than for the reliability of his instruments, the Organ was refurbished in 1747 by François and Jean-François Lépine, then in 1779 by Joseph Isnard, nephew of Jean-Esprit, and in 1825 by Antoine Peyroulous.

Brought up-to-date during the Romantic Period by Jean-Baptiste Puget in 1904, it was in poor condition in the 1950s. 

A restoration was decided upon and entrusted, in 1977, to Bartoloméo Formentelli, who is in charge of restoring 

the Organ back to its condition of 1825.

From now on, his son, Michel, takes care of the Organ. 

Five Keyboards of fifty Notes (C1 to D5 without 1st C #); 

Dorsal Positive, G.O., Bombarde, Narrative, Echo, French Pedal, fifty-six Stops, 3,578 Pipes.

Français: Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile d'Albi – L'orgue de tribune chef d'œuvre de Christophe Moucherel, terminé en 1736, avec un buffet monumental de 16,40 m de large pour 15,60m de haut, un des plus beaux au sud de la Loire.

Christophe Moucherel étant plus connu pour la grande 

qualité de ses buffets que pour la fiabilité de ses instruments, l'orgue est revu dès 1747 par François et Jean-François Lépine, puis en 1779 par Joseph Isnard, neveu de Jean-Esprit,

en 1825 par Antoine Peyroulous.

Mis au "goût du jour" durant la période romantique par Jean-Baptiste Puget en 1904, en piteux état dans les années cinquante, sa restauration est décidée et confiée en 1977 à Bartoloméo Formentelli qui est chargé de restituer

la situation de 1825.

Le même effectuera un grand relevage en 1996. 

C'est désormais son fils Michel qui s’occupe de l'instrument.

5 claviers de 50 notes(ut1 à ré5 sans 1er ut#):positif dorsal,

G.O., bombarde ,récit, écho, pédalier à la française, 56 jeux, 3578 tuyaux.

Italiano : L'organo della tribuna, capolavoro di Christophe Moucherel, completato nel 1736, con un monumentale buffet

di 16,40 m di larghezza e 15,60 m di altezza, uno dei più belli del sud della Loira.

Christophe Moucherel essendo più noto per l'alta qualità dei suoi buffet che per l'affidabilità dei suoi strumenti, l'organo fu rivisto nel 1747 da François e Jean-François Lépine, poi nel 1779 da Joseph Isnard, nipote di Jean-Esprit, nel 1825 da Antoine Peyroulous.

Aggiornato durante il periodo romantico da Jean-Baptiste Puget nel 1904, in cattive condizioni negli anni Cinquanta, ne fu deciso il restauro e affidato nel 1977 a Bartoloméo Formentelli che ne è il responsabile di ripristinare la situazione del 1825.

Lo stesso effettuerà un grosso sollevamento nel 1996. D'ora in poi è il figlio Michel che si prende cura dello strumento. 5 tastiere di 50 note (dal DO1 al RE5 senza 1° DO#): dorsale positiva, SOL, bombarda, narrativa, eco, pedale francese,

56 registri, 3578 canne.

Photo: 4 August 2021.

Source: Own work.

Author: Didier Descouens

(Wikimedia Commons)

This file is copyrighted and has been released under a license which is incompatible with Facebook's licensing terms. It is not permitted to upload this file at Facebook.

Bishop de Castanet surrounded the complex with a new Wall and built the Saint Catherine Tower, which was connected by a Wall to the Durand de Beaucaire Tower of the Cathedral.[25]

The Palace was never attacked, and later Bishops softened its appearance by adding residential buildings and a Chapel, and a French-style garden, as well decorating the Interiors with Mosaics and Art.

In 1905, the Cathedral and its properties were officially nationalised, and the Palace was given to the City of Albi for use as a Museum.

In 1922, it received an important collection of Works by Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, donated by his mother. It is now known as the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum. The collection includes his last painting, “Examination at The School of Medicine”, from 1901.[26]

Choir and Rood Screen, 

Albi Cathedral.

Photo: 25 June 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: Benh LIEU SONG

from Torcy, France

(Wikimedia Commons)

THIS CONCLUDES THE ARTICLE ON ALBI CATHEDRAL.

Albi Cathedral, France (Part Seven).

English: The Last Judgement Fresco.

Français: Le jugement dernier.

Photo: 15 July 2014.

Source: Own work.

Author: Jean-noël Lafargue

(Wikimedia Commons)

Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,
unless stated otherwise.

The Chapels were frequently redecorated and repainted in the following years, causing Eugène Viollet-le-Duc to complain in 1841 that “Almost all of the Chapels were ruined; paintings were nailed over the murals, and clumsy restorations were made by the whitewashers.”

He made substantial restorations, particularly in the elaborate floor-to-ceiling murals in the Chapelle de la Sainte-Croix (The Chapel of The Holy Cross). The nine scenes of the mural depict the story of how fragments of The True Cross were discovered at Rome and given to Emperor Constantine, allowing him to defeat the barbarian chieftain, Maxence, and how later the nails used in The Crucifixion were recovered and given to Saint Helen. [22]

The Chapelle Saint-Claire, is a square Chapel tucked into the architecture of the West facade at the end of the 17th-Century. It is located directly behind the Mediæval fresco of The Last Judgement, and the builder of the Chapel, Bishop Le Goux de la Berchère, destroyed a central part of the fresco to give the Chapel a larger opening, and installed an Altar to match The High Altar at the other end of the Church.[22]

English: The Organ in Albi Cathedral. A masterpiece by Christophe Moucherel, completed in 1736, with a monumental Buffet 16.40 m wide and 15.60 m high. It is one of the most beautiful Organs South of The Loire.

Christophe Moucherel being better known for the high quality of his Buffets than for the reliability of his instruments, the Organ was revised in 1747 by François and Jean-François Lépine, then, in 1779, by Joseph Isnard, nephew of Jean-Esprit, and, in 1825, by Antoine Peyroulous.

Brought up-to-date during The Romantic Period by Jean-Baptiste Puget in 1904, it was in poor condition in the 1950s. Its restoration was entrusted in 1977 to Bartoloméo Formentelli. Now, his son, Michel, takes care of the instrument: Five Keyboards of fifty Notes (C1 to D5 without

1st C #); Dorsal Positive, G.O; Bombarde; Narrative; Echo; French Pedal; Fifty-Six Stops; 3,578 Pipes.

Photo: 4 August 2021.

Source: Own work.

Author: Didier Descouens

(Wikimedia Commons)

This file is copyrighted and has been released under a licence which is incompatible with Facebook’s licensing terms.

It is not permitted to upload this file at Facebook.

The Chapel of Notre Dame and Saint Cécile is the Axis Chapel at the East End of the Cathedral. Its decoration was created between 1777 and 1779 by the Italian artist Jacques Antoine Mazetti, who established a studio at Avignon with his brother Bernard Virgile and the painter Maderni.

The central feature is a marble statue of The Virgin Mary from the 18th-Century, with four paintings depicting scenes from The Virgin’s life by the Toulouse painter François Fauré.

Behind The Virgin, is a “Gloire”, or “Glory”, a halo surrounding The Virgin, filled with Angels and other figures. The interior Chapel is decorated with coloured and moulded stucco.[22]

14th-Century Reliquary at Albi Cathedral.

Contains Relics of Saint Ursula.

Photo: 4 August 2021.

Source: Own work.

Author: Didier Descouens

(Wikimedia Commons)

This file is copyrighted and has been released under a licence which is incompatible with Facebook’s licensing terms.

It is not permitted to upload this file at Facebook.

The oldest painting is the mural of The Last Judgement, on the interior of The Great West Front, which was painted at the end of the 15th-Century. It covers an area of 15 metres (49 ft) by 18 metres (59 ft). Some portions of the mural were removed in 1693 due to the creation of the Chapel of Saint Claire.

Some of the central figures, such as Christ rendering judgement and Archangel Michæl weighing the sins of those being judged, were removed to make a doorway into a Chapel.

The top portion of the painting depicts a row of Angels; below them, is a rank of Apostles, dressed in White to symbolise their purity. Below them are ranks of Saints and Clerics, including a Pope and Monks of the different Orders. as well as an Emperor (probably Charlemagne) and Saint Louis.

At the bottom are the sinners being judged, with a band of Text reminding viewers that the judgement was irreversible.

English: 17th-Century Painting in Albi Cathedral depicting

The Holy Family, with Saint Anne and Saint John the Baptist.

Français : La sainte famille

avec sainte Anne et saint Jean-Baptiste.

Italiano : La sacra famiglia

con Sant’Anna e San Giovanni Battista.

Artist: Karsten van Limbos (1527–1542).

Photo: 4 August 2021.

Source: Own work.

Author: Didier Descouens

(Wikimedia Commons)

This file is copyrighted and has been released under a licence which is incompatible with Facebook’s licensing terms.

It is not permitted to upload this file at Facebook.

PART EIGHT FOLLOWS.

Albi Cathedral, France (Part Six).

English: The Marble Pulpit, Albi Cathedral, 

dated to 1776.

Français : Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile d'Albi –

La chaire en marbre de 1776.

Italiano : Cattedrale di Albi - 

Il pulpito in marmo del 1776.

Photo: 4 August 2021.

Source: Own work.

Author: Didier Descouens

(Wikimedia Commons)

This file is copyrighted and has been released under a licence which is incompatible with Facebook’s licensing terms. It is not permitted to upload this file at Facebook.

Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,
unless stated otherwise.

While much of the sculpture on the outer face of the Rood Screen was damaged, that on the interior of the Screen is almost completely intact, and features sculpture of The Twelve Apostles and two Angels around The Virgin Mary.

They are carved of stone and delicately coloured. Seventy-two statues of Angels decorate other parts of the Screen, surrounding the figure of Saint Cecilia, the Patron Saint of the Cathedral.[18]

The elaborate sculptural Screen, partly open-work and partly closed, surrounds the interior space of the Choir. This enclosure was built between 1474 and 1482 by Bishop Louis I d’Amboise. His Coat-of-Arms of two Angels carrying his emblem is displayed at the side entrances of the Screen.[10]

Chapel of Saint Claire, Albi Cathedral, 

below “The Last Judgement” mural.

Photo: 2 July 2008.

Source: Own work.

Author: Pom²

(Wikimedia Commons)

A study in 2012 discovered that the sculpture was originally painted in Blues and Reds, but was modified in the 19th-Century to brighter Greens and Orange-Reds, to harmonise with the more recent painted decoration.

Following that discovery, with the permission of the Commission of National Monuments, the sculpture was cleaned and restored as much as possible to the original gilding and colouring, and the 19th-Century background colours changed to the colour of stone, to recreate the original Mediæval harmony.[19]

One of the distinctive features of Albi Cathedral is the polychrome geometric painting of the Tribunes (Galleries) and Upper Walls, particularly in the Choir and the Chapels.

English: Chapel of Saint Cécile, in Albi Cathedral, 

with reliquary and a statue of the Saint. The statue dates 

from 1599,  and is meant to represent the body as it was 

found in the coffin at Rome. This statue is located at the Church of Saint Cecilia in Rome; Albi Cathedral, Dedicated 

to the Saint, has a faithful replica.

Français: Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile d'Albi - Reliques et statue de Sainte-Cécile - La statue bien connue de Maderno , datant de 1599, est censée représenter le corps tel qu'il fut retrouvé dans le cercueil. Cette statue se trouve à l'église Sainte-Cécile à Rome ; la cathédrale d’Albi, dédiée à la Sainte, en possède une fidèle réplique.

Italiano : Si ritiene che la famosa statua di Maderno, risalente al 1599, rappresenti il ​​corpo così come è stato trovato nella bara. Questa statua si trova nella Chiesa di S. Cecilia a Roma; La Cattedrale di Albi, dedicata al Santo, ne conserva una fedele replica.

Photo: 4 August 2021.

Source: Own work.

Author: Didier Descouens

(Wikimedia Commons)

This file is copyrighted and has been released under a licence which is incompatible with Facebook's licensing terms. It is not permitted to upload this file at Facebook.

The geometric designs have a number of different motifs; some imitate the appearance of Marble; some are divided into Medallions or Squares, or give the appearance of three-dimensional Cubes; some have Coats-of-Arms, or painted Tree Branches, or false Balustrades. The Upper Levels offer painted Animals or Birds inhabiting the geometric designs, in an elaborate combination of humour and fantasy.[20]

The Baroque Pulpit, in the Nave, was commissioned by Cardinal Bernis, and was made between 1776 and 1779 by the Italian sculptors Mazetti and Maderni.[21]

The Cathedral has twelve Chapels, placed between the Buttresses along the sides of the Nave, and an additional twelve Chapels alongside the Choir, plus an additional five Chapels radiating from the Apse at The East End, and another, the Chapelle Sainte-Claire, at The West End. The Side Chapels in the Nave received overhead Galleries (Tribunes) in the 15th-Century.[8]

One of the Chapels in the Nave,

Albi Cathedral.

Photo: 2 July 2008.

Source: Own work.

Author: Pom²

(Wikimedia Commons)

PART SEVEN FOLLOWS.

Albi Cathedral, France (Part One).

English: Basilica of Saint Cecilia, Albi, France.

Français: Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile d'Albi.

Photo: 8 May 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: ByacC.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,
unless stated otherwise.

The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Cecilia (French: Basilique 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 Style or Southern French Gothic Style of Architecture.

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]

English: Albi Cathedral, France.

Interior of The Choir.

Photo: 1885.

Français: Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile.

Vue intérieure du choeur.

Source: Médiathèque de l'architecture

et du patrimoine (image)

Photographer: 

Séraphin-Médéric Mieusement (1840–1905).

(Wikimedia Commons)

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]

The first recorded Church and Bishop’s residence was built at the end of the 4th-Century A.D., and is believed to have burned down in about 666 A.D.

A second Church is mentioned in 920 A.D., Dedicated to Saint Cecilia, a wealthy Roman noblewoman and Martyr, who was also a patroness of musicians.

English: Episcopal City of Albi: The Palais de la Berbie and Albi Cathedral, seen from the Old Bridge.

Français: La Cité épiscopale d'Albi: Le palais de la Berbie et la Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile d'Albi, vues depuis le Vieux Pont.

Palais de la Berbie

Albi Cathedral

This place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site,

listed as Cité épiscopale d'Albi.

Photo: 4 August 2021.

Source: Own work.

Author: Didier Descouens

(Wikimedia Commons)

This file is copyrighted and has been released under a license which is incompatible with Facebook's licensing terms. It is not permitted to upload this file at Facebook.

That Church was part of a complex of Episcopal buildings, including a Baptistry and Sanctuary Dedicated to Saint Peter.

A third Church, in the Romanesque Style, was built of stone at the end of the 12th-Century and was located between the present Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace.

It incorporated some stonework of the earlier buildings, and included a Cloister on the South side. Some of the Arches of the Cloister are found today in the municipal park of Rochegude in Albi.[4]

English: 

Albi Cathedral’s Choir and Rood Screen.

Français: 

Chœur et jubé (Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile, Albi).

Magyar: Kórus és szentélyrekesztő,

Szent Cecília-katedrális, Albi.

Polski: Chór kapłański oraz łuk tęczowy

(katedra Św. Cecylii w Albi we Francji).

Photo: 2 July 2008.

Source: Own work.

Author: Pom²

(Wikimedia Commons)

In the 12th-Century, Albi was part of Languedoc, ruled by the Count of Toulouse, who was appointed by the King of France. The region became a battleground between the established Church and the followers of a dissident Religious movement called Catharism.

The Cathars had a strong presence in Albi around 1165.[5] In 1208, Pope Innocent III launched the Albigensian Crusade, named after Albi, to destroy the Cathars in Southern France.[6]

It ended in 1209 with the defeat and massacre of the Cathars at Carcassonne, and the end of the semi-independence of the States of Languedoc. In 1229, Albi came under the joint rule of the Lord of Castres and of King Louis VIII of France.[7]

English: Albi Cathedral’s Gothic Rood Screen.

Note the empty statue niches. The statues were destroyed during The French Revolution.

Français : Jubé gothique vu depuis la nef.

Abside en arrière plan (Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile, Albi).

Photo: 2 July 2008.

Source: Own work.

Author: Pom²

(Wikimedia Commons)

Bernard de Castanet (1240–1317), who became Bishop of Albi in 1276, was the key figure behind the construction of the Gothic Cathedral. He was a judge and lawyer, had been an officer of The Inquisition for Languedoc, and later became a Cardinal.

He raised funds for the new building by setting aside one-twentieth of the revenue of the Chapter, and offering Spiritual incentives to Parishioners who donated a tenth of their income.

He also made imaginative use of the Relics of Saint Cecilia, owned by the Church, in his fundraising. He economised by using brick, rather than stone, to construct the new Cathedral, which was easier work.

PART TWO FOLLOWS.

Albi Cathedral, France (Part Eight).

English: The Choir and Rood Screen of Albi Cathedral.

Français: Chœur et jubé (Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile, Albi).

Magyar: Kórus és szentélyrekesztő,

Szent Cecília-katedrális, Albi.

Polski: Chór kapłański oraz łuk tęczowy

(katedra Św. Cecylii w Albi we Francji).

Photo: 2 July 2008.

Source: Own work.

Author: Pom²

(Wikimedia Commons)

Only a small amount of Mediæval Stained-Glass remains in the Windows of the Cathedral; most of the Windows date to the 19th-Century and 20th-Century.

The Chapel of The Holy Cross has two Windows from the 15th-Century, representing Saint Helen, carrying a large Cross, and King Louis IX, holding a Cross-Reliquary.

Some pieces of earlier Glass, including the Coat-of-Arms of Bishop Beraud de Fargues, dated between 1320 and 1330, are incorporated into more modern Windows.[23]

English: Relics and Statue of Sainte-Cécile, dating from 1599, in Albi Cathedral. The Statue is meant to represent the body as it was found in the coffin. The orginal Statue is located at the Church of Saint Cecilia in Rome. Albi Cathedral, Dedicated to the Saint, has a faithful replica.

Français: Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile d'Albi - Reliques et statue de Sainte-Cécile - La statue bien connue de Maderno , datant de 1599, est censée représenter le corps tel qu'il fut retrouvé dans le cercueil. Cette statue se trouve à l'église Sainte-Cécile à Rome ; la cathédrale d’Albi, dédiée à la Sainte, en possède une fidèle réplique.

Italiano : Si ritiene che la famosa statua di Maderno, risalente al 1599, rappresenti il ​​corpo così come è stato trovato nella bara. Questa statua si trova nella Chiesa di S. Cecilia a Roma; La Cattedrale di Albi, dedicata al Santo, ne conserva una fedele replica.

Photo: 4 August 2021.

Source: Own work.

Author: Didier Descouens

(Wikimedia Commons)

This file is copyrighted and has been released under a license which is incompatible with Facebook's licensing terms. It is not permitted to upload this file at Facebook.

The main Organ of the Cathedral is located on the Upper Level of the Nave, at the West End, above the mural of The Last Judgement.

It was commissioned in 1734 by Bishop de la Croix de Castries from the craftsman Christophe Moucherel.

It replaced the first Organ, dating to the end of the 15th-Century, and a second smaller Organ, which had been attached to the Rood Screen.

English: Chapel of Saint Marguerite, Albi Cathedral.

Français: Décor géométrique des chapelles hautes 

et basses de la cathédrale d'Albi. Décor assez mystérieux. Certains critiques y voient des anamorphoses, parfois 

à sous-entendus érotiques.

Photo: 26 October 2018.

Source: Own work.

Author: Franzrycou

(Wikimedia Commons)

The 1734 Organ re-used some of the Pipes of the first Organ. The decoration atop the Pipes of the Organs includes, at the top, statues of Angels with wings spread and with Trumpets, heralding Saint Cécile and Saint Valerien. Below these, are two White Unicorns with the Coats-of-Arms of the Bishop, and, below these, five towers of Pipes, crowned with statues of Angel-Musicians. The Cornice of the Organ rests on the shoulders of two sculpted Atlantes.[24]

The Organ was rebuilt and restored several times in the 18th-Century and 19th-Century; it was radically rebuilt in 1903 into a more Romantic Style, while preserving the older Pipes, above. Between 1977 and 1981, it was rebuilt, again, restoring its original Classical Style.[24]

The Treasury of the Cathedral is a rare example of a Cathedral Treasury located in its original place. It is a Vaulted Chamber attached to the Disambulatory of the Nave on the North Side of the Cathedral, above the Vestiaire and adjoining the Sacristy, which was constructed in the Late-13th-Century, and was used to keep the Church Archives and precious objects.

English: Decoration in the Choir, Albi Cathedral.

Français: Clôture du chœur

de la cathédrale Sainte-Cécile d'Albi.

Photo: 8 June 2012.

Source: Own work.

Author: GO69

(Wikimedia Commons)

It has a series of Niches, closed with Iron Grills. It was remade into a museum in 2001. It originally contained the Cathedral’s most precious Relic, a fragment of The True Cross, which disappeared in 1792 during The French Revolution, at the same time that the Cathedral High Altar and Silver Retable were destroyed.

The objects displayed now are largely those that were preserved in the tombs of the Bishops, as well as more recent objects made in the Early-19th-Century.

It also contains a collection of paintings, including a polyptyque of scenes from the life of The Virgin and Child from the 16th-Century, with a gilded background, and paintings of the life of Saint Cecilia, the Patron Saint of the Cathedral.

English: Part of Albi Cathedral’s Quadripartite 

Cross-Ribbed Vault thirty metres above the ground. 

Painted between 1509 and 1512.

Deutsch: Teilansicht eines vierteiligen Kreuzrippengewölbes, 30 m über Bodenniveau, in den Jahren 1509 bis 1512 ausgemalt, Kathedrale Sainte-Cécile, Albi, Frankreich.

Français: Détail d'une voûte sur croisée d'ogives quadripartite située à 30m du sol, peintes entre 1509 et 1512 (Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile, Albi)

Photo: 2 July 2008.

Source: Own work.

Author: Pom²

(Wikimedia Commons)

PART NINE FOLLOWS.