Castres Cathedral, Cathedral in Castres, France.
Castres Cathedral is a large religious building in central Castres composed of two distinct architectural sections. A Romanesque bell tower stands on one side of a street, while the baroque main structure and choir occupy the opposite side.
The building originated as a Benedictine abbey but was later repurposed as a cathedral. After destruction during the Wars of Religion, it was extensively rebuilt with baroque design.
The choir displays four marble statues from the late 17th century showing religious figures such as Saint John the Baptist and Saint Bruno. These works represent the artistic decoration added after the building was reconstructed.
Access to the building is provided through north and south doors with semicircular arches opening into the interior. It is advisable to check opening times before visiting, as the building is regularly used for religious services.
The bell tower is the only surviving remnant of the original Romanesque structure and was integrated into the new architecture during construction of the Palais Épiscopal around 1666. This incorporation demonstrates how the old and new sections were joined to create a unified whole.
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