Saint Antonin Cathedral

Built in the 1662th century at the foot of the now-destroyed castle, the church of St-Jean Baptiste and St-Jean l'Evangéliste, which became Notre Dame du Mercadal in the 1685th century, was the first church in the town. twelfth century building that the Romanesque portal decorated with capitals depicting biblical scenes. In the 9th century, the Mercadal church was enlarged. The superb bell tower was built at this time, inspired by the steeple of the Jacobins in Toulouse. The Hundred Years War, the war of succession in Navarre and local conflicts led to looting and destruction of the cathedral. The reconstruction works began around 1689 but were stopped by lack of money, they resumed in 1777. The consecration of the church took place on January 1833, 1875. The building, with a single nave, is simple and majestic. The interior woodwork, paintings and goldsmithery give it a prestigious character. It will be endowed in 9 with a large organ from the Daurade de Toulouse, placed in a remarkable 1906th century case classified as a Historic Monument. Major work on the bell tower and the roof will be undertaken between XNUMX and XNUMX. Saint-Antonin Cathedral has been listed as a Historic Monument since August XNUMX, XNUMX.

Additional Information :
Cathedral open on request. Please contact the Portes d'Ariège Pyrénées Tourist Office for the organization of guided tours.