Cathedral+of+Angouleme

= History = = Characteristics = = People and places = = Renovations and changes = = Floor plan = = Illustrations = = Links = = Group members = = edson garcia =
 * Cathedral of Angouleme is a religious building of Angouleme, Charente, France, which is an example of Romanesque architecture and sculpture in France. A first cathedral was built un the site of a primitive pre-Christian sanctuary in the 4th century AD. The edifice has destroyed when the town was taken by Clovis after the battle of Voile (507). Another cathedral was built in 560, but this was also set on fire by the Vikings. **
 * The façade is decorated by more than 70 sculptures. The interior of the nave is covered with 3 domes, a transept of great length with high towers over the north and south ends and an apsidal chair with four cheval chapels at the crossing. In the transept is a larger dome over pendentives, once lighted by two lantern towers. It has maintained only the northern one, characterized by several orders off mullioned windows. **
 * A 3rd cathedral was built under bishop Gerard, abbot of Saint Pierre de Brantome. The new church was consecrated in 1017. However, at the beginning of the 12 th century the citizens started to consider it too small for to the wealth of the country. The designer was Bishop Gerard II, one of the most important French figures of the time, who was a professor, papal legate for four popes and also a notable artist. The works began about 1110 and finished in 1128 **
 * The church’s original appearance was modified in the following century. One of the bell towers for example, was destroyed during the wars of religion of the restoration by Paul. It also included the addition of the two towers with conical tops, but the façade remains mostly medieval. **