Albi: the brick between a cathedral and city quarters

Useful to know

The Episcopal city of Albi is located near Tarn in southwestern France. The cathedral from the end of the 13th century is built of local brick and has a fortified external image. Next to it is the Berby Palace, and earlier layers include the Old Bridge and the Saint Salvi neighborhood. [1]

When looking at the cathedral, compare the large volume with the scale of the adjacent spaces. A material can create a visual connection, but the different sizes and functions remain clearly readable. The tall building also participates in the silhouette of the whole city.

The word "fortified" describes the architectural character; it should not automatically become a detailed account of military use without an additional source. Albi is a suitable example for the analysis of a whole ensemble: a cathedral, a palace, a bridge and residential quarters show more than a self-contained facade photo.