Narbonne Cathedral

The St-Just and St-Pasteur Cathedral (Narbonne Cathedral) and the neighboring Archbishops' Palace form a unique architectural ensemble. Together they take up a majority of the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville in Narbonne, France.

Narbonne Cathedral remains unfinished since the laying of the first stone in 1272. The plans required the partial demolition of the town wall, but the town council, fearing English invasion, refused to allow it. This, coupled with wars and epidemics, has left Narbonne Cathedral with only the choir and transept completed.

The two towers, 194 feet tall and dating from 1480, provide an sweeping view of the surrounding countryside. The interior features a tall (130 feet) vaulted choir, frescoes, and Flemish tapestries. 14th-and 15th-century cloisters connect Narbonne Cathedral to the neighboring Archbishops' Palace.

The 14th-century Great Reredos (back of the altar) was unveiled in March 2000 after being covered up for centuries. The sculptured panels depict 200 individual figures over 30 square yards. One section shows unhappy souls in a fiery hell, watched over by a smug Devil; another shows Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and souls ascending to Paradise. A third part shows punishments of fire and ice-cold water in Purgatory.

Act Two of Giuseppe Verdi's opera Don Carlos takes place in the cloisters of St. Just.