90 Toulouse, France - St Stephen’s Cathedral.

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 90 Toulouse, France - St Stephen’s Cathedral


While we’re on cathedrals in the South West of France, here is St Stephen’s cathedral in Toulouse. You’ll have heard of Stephen - first ever Christian martyr, killed around 34 AD, stoned by a crowd including St Paul,  skilled at signs and wonders. In the aftermath of Stephen's death, the remaining disciples except for the apostles fled to distant lands, many to Antioch.


His relics are in Rome, including an elaborate gold and jewel-encrusted box alleged to contain soil soaked with his  blood.


Most of the church is 12th to 16th century, Southern Gothic. Built of brick because of the lack of suitable stone around. Very pretty old alms box. Tons of side-chapels.

Pierre-Paul  Riquet who organized the building of the canal du Midi, the foremost engineering triumph of its age, is buried here.

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