Episcopal City of Albi
On the banks of the Tarn river in south-west
France, the old city of Albi reflects the culmination of a medieval
architectural and urban ensemble. Today the Old Bridge (Pont-Vieux), the
Saint-Salvi quarter and its church are testimony to its initial
development (10th -11th centuries). Following the Albigensian Crusade
against the Cathar heretics (13th century) it became a powerful
episcopal city. Built in a unique southern French Gothic style from
local brick in characteristic red and orange colours, the lofty
fortified Cathedral (late 13th century) dominates the city,
demonstrating the power regained by the Roman Catholic clergy. Alongside
the Cathedral is the vast bishop’s Palais de la Berbie, overlooking the
river and surrounded by residential quarters that date back to the
Middle Ages. The Episcopal City of Albi forms a coherent and homogeneous
ensemble of monuments and quarters that has remained largely unchanged
over the centuries.