Lavaur Cathedral Explained

Building Name:Lavaur Cathedral
French: Cathédrale Saint-Alain de Lavaur
Location:Lavaur, France
Geo:43.6992°N 1.8217°W
Religious Affiliation:Roman Catholic Church
Rite:Roman Rite
Region:Tarn
Province:Diocese of Lavaur
Status:Cathedral
Functional Status:Active
Architecture:yes
Architecture Type:church
Architecture Style:Southern French Gothic
Groundbreaking:13th century
Year Completed:16th century

Lavaur Cathedral (French: Cathédrale Saint-Alain de Lavaur) is a Roman Catholic church and former cathedral located in the town of Lavaur, Tarn, France. The cathedral is a national monument since 1911.[1]

Until the Concordat of 1801,[2] this was the seat of the Diocese of Lavaur, now held by the Archbishop of Albi.

The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Alan of Lavaur. The present structure dates from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries, and has an octagonal bell-tower. A second, smaller square tower contains a 16th-century jacquemart (a statue which strikes the hours with a hammer). In the bishop's garden is the statue of Emmanuel, comte de Las Cases, one of the companions of Napoleon on Saint Helena.

On 5 February 2019, teenagers vandalised parts of the cathedral, lighting a small fire and twisting the arm of a crucifix to make it appear that Christ was dabbing.[3]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Eglise Saint-Alain
  2. Book: Répertoire biographique de l'épiscopat constitutionnel (1791-1802).. Paul Pisani. A. Picard et fils. 1907. Paris. 18–26; 403–407. French.
  3. News: Dillies . Béatrice . Bornia . Richard . [VIDEO] Croix bousculées, crèche brûlée : la cathédrale de Lavaur dans le Tarn vandalisée ]. La Dépêche . 6 February 2019 . fr.