Carcassonne Cathedral, Gothic Catholic cathedral in Carcassonne, France
This cathedral is a Gothic building in Carcassonne with a high vaulted single nave and several side chapels. A large rose window measuring 8 meters across adorns the facade and allows light to flood the interior space.
The building began as a parish church in 1247 and gained cathedral status in 1803, replacing an earlier cathedral dedicated to Saints Nazarius and Celsus. This change marked its elevation to the city's main place of worship.
Inside, 14th-century stained glass windows in the choir area fill the space with colored light during daytime, showing how medieval craftspeople created beauty for prayer. These windows remain central to how the community experiences worship here.
The building is located on Rue Voltaire and opens to visitors during daytime hours. Keep in mind that access may be limited during services, and respectful clothing is customary when visiting this religious space.
The bell tower includes fortification features that are unusual for a religious building, showing practical defenses rather than purely ceremonial architecture. These military elements remind visitors that the city faced constant threats during the medieval period.
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