Saint-Antonin cathedral of Pamiers

Originally dedicated to Midsummer's Day Baptist and Midsummer's Day the evangelist, the church was called Sainte-Marie of Mercadal (i.e. " marché") in 1384, before being high with the row of Cathedral to the XVIe century.

The building was classified historic building on August 9th 1906

General architecture

The original church, going back to the XIIe century, remains only by part of the Portail. The wars of religion indeed caused heavy damage in the city, and the Nef, rebuilt, was completely completed only in 1689. It is of tradition to allot the plan of this new church to François Mansart, which is plausible taking into account the very sober style of the unit. Others allots it to the nephew of this architect, Jules Hardouin-Mansart (1645-1708), which one knows that he worked under the direction of his uncle.

This cathedral is with single nave, the vaults coming to fit between the buttresses.

The Gate

Only vestige of the original church, part of the Portail dating from XIIe century is of Romance style. One can see there capitals historiés of the same time. Today although damaged by time, these capitals let guess, from left to right:

the Martyr E of Midsummer's Day Baptist
Adam and Eve
Caïn and Abel
Daniel in the lion's den
the martyrdom of Midsummer's Day the evangelist
Samson fighting against the lion

Under the cross of the gate, one can see a carved stone of XIIe representing the martyrdom of Midsummer's Day.

The remainder of the gate, Gothic style , date of the 14th century

The bell-tower

The Clocher of Toulouse Gothique style is strongly inspired by that of the Jacobins of Toulouse: imposing and bricked, the orthogonal tower is enlightened on each floor of geminated windows finished in gothic arch. It goes back to the XIVe century. One will be able to notice the Créneau X and the Meurtrière S, testifying to the surging past of the city.

This Clocher at summer crowned with the XIXe century by a gallery identical to that of the Jacobins thanks to the architect Of Coma, which by no means spoils this tower which could appear a little massive.

Inventory

The majority of original furniture disappeared at the time of the French revolution.

While entering

On the left: Rule of the Virgin Mary gone back to 1861
On the right: Rule of Joseph Saint, Bénitier out of black marble of the Pyrenees. Fall from François de Caulet, on whom the old castle of Pamiers is represented (today shaven).

Vaults

From left to right:

Vault Joseph Saint

Paintings by Baduel: the Holy Family and the death of Joseph (1886)

Vault of the Holy Spine

Painting of Lazerges: Ecce Homo (1833)

Vault Midsummer's Day Baptist

a low gilded and polychrome wood relief dating from the XVIIIe century representing the martyrdom of Saint-Andrew.
Two paintings: " Engagement of Marie and Joseph" and " Resurrection girl of Jaïre"

Vault of Crowned Chorus

representation of the martyrdom of Holy Sebastien and Saint Antonin

Vault of the Blessed Virgin

Blessed Sacrament
Three frescos of Bénazet on the life of Marie

Vault Saint Pierre

One can admire a small statue out of polychrome wooden of the XVIe century (representative Sainte Marie-madeleine) or perhaps the Virgin Mary.

Transept

The woodworks of the Transept go back to 1753

Northern transept

(on the left while entering)

Painting of Marzocchi: Saint-Lizier (1851)
Two Fabrics of Frêre Andre (beginning XVIIIe): Worship of the magi and Jesus drives out the salesmen of the temple
grids out of wrought iron of 1835

Southern transept

(On the right while entering)

Painting of Lazerges: Saint-Antonin (1847). One will note the representation of the town of Pamiers in background.
Two paintings of frêre Andre (beginning XVIIIe): Nativity of Jesus and Saint-Louis receives the crown of spine of Christ .

Chorus

Pentagonal Abside
Maître furnace bridge in Marbre going back to 1844
Five tables strengthened of Bénazet on the life of Saint-Antonin going back to 1885.
the marble pavement goes back to 1857
the historiés stained glasses go up with 1862

Organ

The cathedral shelters a Orgue, of which the dresser date of the XVIIIe century. The instrumental part was built by the factors Robert Chauvin and Claude Armand. This organ was inaugurated on November 22nd 1992.

Under the organ: Two fabrics of Raynold evoking the First World War

The chime

In 1863, the cathedral obtains a Carillon, being composed of the old bumblebee of 1849 (in fact a recasting of a bumblebee of 1683), of three bell S Louison of 1841,1842 and 1845, and a series of bells of the same founder going back to 1863. In 1899, 12 Bollée bells of Orleans take seat with the others, thus forming a chime of 22 bells.

One installs in 1989 a new chime of 26 bells of the Paccard founder of Annecy and one installs some of the old bells in the Notre-Dame church of the Camp

Since 1995, after the arrival of 23 other bells of the same founder, the chime is composed of 49 bells, with a total weight of 4150 kg.

Thus by its importance, and especially by its accuracy, this unit can be classified among the most beautiful chimes of the Country of Oc.

List bishops buried in the cathedral

Except contrary mention, the bishops are buried under the chorus

Bertrand de Barrau of Pairon (1579-1605): its remainders were dispersed in 1621 (turbid period of the wars of religion)
François de Caulet (1644-1680): buried beside the Stoup, it wished to be pressed by the faithful ones.
Jean-Baptiste de Verthamon (1693-1735)
Henri-Gaston de Lévis-Léran (1741-1787)
Charles-François de Latour-Landorthe (1823-1835)
Gervais-Joseph Ortric (1835-1845)
Jean-François-Augustin Galtier (1856-1858)
Jean-Antoine Belaval (1858-1881)
Pierre-Eugene Rougerie (1881-1907)
Henri Lugagne-Delpon (1968-1970)

See too

Internal bond

Pamiers
List of the bishops of Pamiers

External bonds

Card on the site Structurae.de

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