A monumental statue of Trencavel unveiled on the Albigeois plan in Béziers

The statue of Trencavel is 3.50 meters high. Mélissa Alcoléa – Midi Libre

The Biterrois came to attend the inauguration of the statue on the Albigensian plan. Mélissa Alcoléa – Midi Libre

Le maire Robert Ménard a prononcé un discours avant le dévoilement de la statue. Mélissa Alcoléa – Midi Libre

l'essentiel La Ville de Béziers a fait fondre cette statue en Italie en hommage à cette figure historique de la cité.

A monumental statue of Raimond Roger Trencavel (1185-1209) was unveiled this Friday, July 19, on the Albigensian plan, at the foot of the Saint-Nazaire cathedral in Béziers, in front of residents and residents. nbsp;and tourists who came to attend the party. Its measurements are impressive: 3.50 meters high (not including the pedestal), 800 kg. It was cast in bronze in Pietrasanta in Italy, where the Magrou lion reproduction installed on Place Charles-de-Gaulle about a year ago was also born. And like this work, it is the result of a collaboration between the City of Béziers and the sculptor Philippe Guilhem, a jeweler in Megève, and whose family owns the jewelry store on rue du 4-Septembre. His sister, Magali Guilhem, was also present this Friday evening: "It's a source of pride", she declared. "My brother has his heart here." That’s why he responded to the tender launched by the municipality.

"We honor this tolerance of yesterday and today’

At the microphone, Mayor Robert Ménard recalled the history of Trencaval but also its symbol: "We cannot forget what we were. Our city has been branded by the madness of men and that is why it will never love tyrants. Today, Trencavel stands among us. We pick up the thread of history. And let us salute this special atmosphere which reigns in this land of Béziers, we honor this tolerance of yesterday and today, as evidenced by the deep links forged with our Jewish community. You are the heirs of an exceptional epic." And to end on "the pride of this common ancestor.& ;quot;

Trencavel, symbol of resistance and tolerance

Trencavel was a symbol of Languedoc's resistance to the crusade led by the king of France and the pope in 1209. He governed Béziers with a tolerance rare in the Middle Ages, associating the Jews with government of the city and deciding to protect the "Albigeois" (Cathar) threatened by the Church. For them, Béziers was a refuge, the Biterrois refused to hand over the Cathars to the troops of the crusade at the start of the siege of 1209. But the city was sacked on July 21, 1209, the inhabitants were massacred, a large number ;nbsp;burned alive at the Madeleine and the cathedral which were set on fire. Trencavel attempted to lead the southern revolt but was captured and died in infamous conditions in the fortress of Carcassonne.