Albi
Albi is a city in the south of France, in Midi-Pyrénées department. About 50,000 people live in the city, about 80,000 in its agglomeration. The city is about 80 km to the northeast of Toulouse.
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History [change]
There already was a Roman settlement, called Civitas Albiensium. In 843, Charles the bald took possession of the city. The Cathars, which were named Ablbigens are named after the city. The Cathar movement was a branch of Christianity which was persecuted in the Middle Ages. Because of this, the city was almost completely destroyed in a crusade between 1209 and 1229. Since 1678, the city is the seat of an archbishop. Since 1790, it is the capital city of the département Tarn.
Cathedral [change]
There is the cathedral Ste-Cécile (St. Cecile´s cathedral) worth seeing. It is built like a fortress, in a gothic style. The cathedral is built in a very special style. Inside, there are frescoes from the Renaissance, worth a visit.
The cathedral has walls which are up to 6 metres thick. This makes it the biggest brick building in the world.
Museum [change]
There is a museum dedicated to Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in the city. De Touluose-Lautrec was born in the city. There are also paintings of other people in the museum of course.
Well-known citizens [change]
- Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec,1864-1901, painter
- Jean-François de La Pérouse, 1741-1788, French geographer; sailed around the world.
