Aire Cathedral

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Aire Cathedral

Aire Cathedral (French:Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste d'Aire) is a Roman Catholic cathedral, and national monument of France, located in the town of Aire-sur-l'Adour in the Landes département.

It was the ancient seat of the bishop of Aire. Abolished as a cathedral during the French Revolution, it was restored in the reforms of the early 19th century as the seat of the combined Diocese of Aire and Dax. In 1933 the bishop moved to Dax, since when the cathedral at Aire has had the status of co-cathedral together with Dax Cathedral.

[edit] History

The cathedral, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, is situated in the lower town, where the bishops used to live. In origin a structure of the 11th and 12th centuries, it was subject to much alteration between the 14th and 17th centuries and its present appearance shows a variety of styles. The great rotunda on the chevet is especially noticeable. From the 12th century there remain three bays and an apse.

The severe 13th century façade, surmounted by a tower with a slate roof, has a simple vaulted portal with a pointed arch. The present sacristy is in origin a chapter house of the 14th century, with Gothic vaulting supported by central pillars; this is of Tolosan construction and evokes the "palm trees" of the Dominicans.. The nave has ogive vaults of the 14th century. The quire is flanked by four apsidioles giving onto the transept. The organs and side-altars are of the late 18th century, as are the stalls, the high altar and the rest of the handsome furnishings.

While the apse is being extended towards the park, the orangery, a stone building of the 17th century,is being used for temporary exhibitions.

The overall dimensions of the cathedral are 48 metres in length, 8 metres in width across the nave and 15 metres in height to the highest point of the vault.