A trip through the region of Midi-Pyreneessouth of France, for, for example, visit Toulouse or walk the route of the most beautiful villages of Aveyron, must have a stage in Rodez, capital of this department.
And already during your walk through the medieval center of Rodez, a small city located 150 kilometers northeast of Toulouse, will undoubtedly be your notre dame cathedral, the great monument that will arouse your greatest interest.
You will be before a Gothic cathedral Built between the 13th and 16th centuries, one of the largest cathedrals in the south of France.
Indeed, the rodez cathedral It has a floor plan of 107 meters long, 36 meters wide and a height of 30 meters under the vault.
And it is precisely inside where you find its greatest attraction and artistic richness.
Its exterior shows a very peculiar configuration, because where the main entrance portico is supposed to be, on what is the west façade, you will find a large wall, without any door. with a totally sober appearance.
Which is the reason?
It is explained because when the cathedral began to be built in 1277, this façade was an integral part of the city wall, which you can still see by the section of wall that extends to the north, next to the Episcopal palace, another of the outstanding monuments of Rodez.
In this way, on the aforementioned west façade only in the upper part of the central structure can you see a large rose window and decorative details of the style flamboyant gothic that characterizes the church.
On both sides, two flat-topped towers of different heights. The 87th century bell tower, XNUMX meters high, is the tallest flat tower in France.
The construction of the rodez cathedral It was delayed for various reasons. from the Hundred Years War and plague epidemics, even divergences in one's own Bishopric of Rodez.
As a result, the cathedral building was not completed until 300 years after its beginning.
Visit Rodez Cathedral
Inside the Rodez Cathedral you will enter through a sumptuous portico that opens on the south façade, above which another rose window is located. Before entering, take a look at the numerous gargoyles that stretch across the façade.
At interior of the cathedral of Notre Dame de Rodez There are several corners that will catch your attention. For example, the 15th century choir, with fine wood decoration.
Or the great altarpiece of the Chapel of the Holy Sepulcher. Or the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament, with its coffered ceiling.
You should also look at the imposing 17th century organ. And regarding the stained glass windows, the contemporary design ones made by Stephane Belzere.
Photos Rodez Cathedral
Here you have a large gallery of photos of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Rodez that you can visit in the Aveyron department in the south of France.
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