Albi Cathedral, or Cathedral Basilica of Saint Cecilia, a masterpiece of the Southern Gothic style. First built as a fortress in the aftermath
of the Albigensian Crusade, begun in 1282 and under construction for 200 years. It is purported to be the largest brick building in the world.

Albi is a prefecture of the Tarn Department, on the river Tarn. The inhabitants are known as Albigensians, and the area achieved notoriety
for being the centre of the Albigensian Crusade, a war waged by the Pope and the French king against the Cathars, who developed their own
version of strict religion, and thus were considered heretical by the dominant Catholic Church.