Saint-Salvi Collegiate Church

Just a stone’s throw from the Saint-Cécile Cathedral, you’ll find the collegiate church of Saint-Salvi. It might seem a bit overshadowed, but don’t be fooled! This church boasts just as much history and hidden treasures. In fact, it’s the oldest church in Albi. And that’s no mean feat! It was built in the 11th century, allegedly on the site where Saint-Salvi was buried. He is thought to have been the city’s first bishop between 474 and 584. Construction began with the erection of the north tower, built of white stone in the Romanesque style. Next, they built the apse, transept, south tower and nave, one after the other. But the church was not quite finished yet; you see, it was remodeled in the 13th century. They chose brick instead of stone, which was too expensive, and the Romanesque style changed to Gothic. The best example of this architectural shift is the top section of the tower right in front of you. Built between 1220 and 1240, this turret was known as the “gacholle” from the Occitan “gachar”, meaning “to watch”; it was the perfect lookout point to keep an eye on things and protect the city. Besides the peaceful cloister, which unfortunately suffered some damage during the French Revolution, be sure to explore the church’s interior. There, you’ll find six massive paintings, almost 300 years old, recounting the life of Saint Salvi and Albi’s history. There’s also a collection of beautifully carved, polychrome wooden sculptures, including one depicting the “Pensive Christ”. To put it simply, the collegiate church of Saint-Salvi is full of surprises, exactly as I promised you!