Cahors Cathedral

44°26′50″N 01°26′35″E / 44.44722°N 1.44306°E / 44.44722; 1.44306ArchitectureTypechurchStyleGothic, RomanesqueGroundbreaking1080Completed1135

Cahors Cathedral (French: Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Cahors) is a Roman Catholic church located in the town of Cahors, Occitanie, France. A national monument, it is an example of the transition between the late Romanesque and Gothic architectural traditions.

Overview

The church was built by bishop Gerard de Cardaillac^[1] in the 11th century, over a church erected in the 7th century by St. Didier of Cahors. It was consecrated by Pope Calixtus II on September 10, 1119, and completed around 1135. The church, located in the city's centre, has the sturdy appearance of a fortified edifice: at the time, the local bishops were in fact also powerful feudal lords in their role as counts and barons of Cahors.

The façade was renovated in 1316–1324 by Guillaume de Labroue, cousin of Pope John XXII, confirms this impression: it resembles a heavy castle wall, consisting in a porch surmounted by a bell tower enclosed between two towers. The six windows, as well as those on the porch sides, are rather narrow; the only elements characterizing it as a church are the magnificent portal with triple splays, surmounted by a gallery of small arches, and the large rose window.

On the northern side is a secondary façade in Romanesque style, also fortified.

Nave

The well-illuminated nave is 44 x 20 m wide. The two massive, 32 m-high, domes in Byzantines style, resting on pendentives, are supported by six huge pilasters. Unusually, there is no transept.

One of the domes is decorated with 14th-century frescoes, depicting the stoning of St. Stephen as well as eight prophets, each riding an animal, in the fashion of Greek or Hindu deities. The walls have numerous other medieval paintings.

Apse

In Gothic style on a Romanesque base (to which belong the columns with decorated capitals), the apse has three chapels with sculptures. The complex forms a pleasant contrast between the white apse and the colorful stained glass and the paintings of the choir.

There are several tombs, such as that of Alain de Solminihac, and the precious relic of the Holy Cap, which supposedly was worn by Christ and which was brought to France by bishop Gerard de Cardillac after his trip to the Holy Land in 1113.

Cloister

A door on the right of the choir gives access to the Flamboyant Gothic-style cloister, built in 1504 by bishop Anthony of Luzech. It has scenes of everyday life and a Madonna.

On the western side is the St. Gaubert Chapel, with the vault decorated with Italian Renaissance paintings and, on the walls, 15th-century frescoes representing the Last Judgement. It is now home to a museum of Religious Art.

Gallery

• 
  Plan of the cathedral
• 
  Stained glass windows
• 
  View
• 
  Cloister

See also

• List of Gothic Cathedrals in Europe
• History of medieval Arabic and Western European domes

Footnotes

External links

Paris Route or
Via TuronensisVézelay Route or
Via LemovicensisLe Puy Route or
Via Podiensis

Monuments

Cathedral of Saint Caprais (Agen) Church of Sainte-Quitterie (Aire-sur-l'Adour) Bridge of Artigues or Lartigues (Beaumont/Larressingle) Abbey church of Notre-Dame de la Nativité (Le Buisson-de-Cadouin) Cathedral of Saint-Etienne (Cahors) Pont Valentré (Cahors) Church of Notre-Dame-du-Port (Clermont-Ferrand) Abbey church of Sainte-Foy (Conques) Bridge over river Dourdou (Conques) Old Bridge (Espalion) Bridge over river Lot (Estaing) Hospital of Saint-Jacques (Figeac) Dolmen of Pech-Laglaire (Gréalou) Church of Saint-Blaise (L'Hôpital-Saint-Blaise) Abbey church pf Saint-Pierre and cloister (Moissac) Cathedral of Notre-Dame (Le Puy-en-Velay) Hospital of Saint-Jacques (Le Puy-en-Velay) Church of Saint-Sauveur and crypt of Saint-Amadour (Rocamadour) Collegial church of Saint-Pierre (La Romieu) Church of Saint-Avit (Saint-Avit-Sénieur) Bridge called "des pèlerins" over river Boralde (Saint-Chély-d'Aubrac) Gate of Saint Jacques (Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port)

Sections

Between Nasbinals and Saint-Chély-d'Aubrac (17 km) Between Saint-Côme-d'Olt and Estaing (17 km) Between Montredon and Figeac (18 km) Between Faycelles and Cajarc (22.5 km) Between Bach and Cahors (26 km) Between Lectoure and Condom (35 km) Between d'Aroue and Ostabat (22 km)

Arles Route or
Via Tolasana