Going to the Berbie Palace

I finally thought I should move on from the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Cecilia. It is an imposing cathedral which is just part of the Episcopal City of Albi UNESCO World Heritage site listing. When I stepped outside, I realized that it was still raining and it would probably be like this for the rest of the day. I cannot let a little rain stop me, hopefully my camera stays dry for the whole day. I was going around the cathedral and head to the rear of the church. There was a street here but I noticed that there was a castle looking structure attached to the cathedral. I’m sure I didn’t go in that part of the cathedral and concluded that it must have been a separate building.

I wasn’t sure what building it was but I later found out that it was called the Berbie Palace or the Bishop’s palace. The name already speaks volumes of the power wielded by the bishops back then. No wonder there was such a thing as the Episcopal City of Albi. Back then, the bishops ruled like kings and even commanded armies. Once the army slaughtered heretics in what is arguably the start of their rise to power. Hence the fortress/cathedral was built to emphasize the power of bishops wielded over the people. The Berbie palace is a remanant of a bygone era where bishops behaved more like kings.

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