Located on the
River Tarn, in
Languedoc,
Albi was inhabited since the
Bronze Age, but began to develop only in 11th century, in 1040 being built the
Pont Vieux (Old Bridge), and new quarters. The city grew rich at this time, thanks to trade and commercial exchanges, and also to the tolls charged to travelers for using the
Pont Vieux. In the second half of the 12th century became one of the important centers of the
Cathars, a christian movement which claimed the idea of two Gods or principles, one being good (the God of the
New Testament) and the other evil (
Satan). Of course that the movement was declared heretical, and the repression was severe, many Cathars being burnt at the stake. The area, until then virtually independent, was reduced to such a condition that it was subsequently annexed by the French Crown.
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