Sarlat

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Sarlat is the capital city of the Black Perigord (in the southeastern region of the Dordogne) and is home to the largest preserved medieval city in Europe. Inhabited by Gallo-Romans, Sarlat originated as a prosperous city in the 8th century. The "old town" is beautifully preserved, its buildings are from the medieval period (500-1450 AD) (including gothic architecture from the 12th century) and the Renaissance period (1450-1600 AD). The cathedral, which was built on the ruins of the 8th Century Benedictine Abbey, was constructed in stages between the 12th and 16th centuries. The "Lantern of the Dead" was built in commemoration of purported miraculous healing by St. Bernard (on his way home from the Crusades) during a plague in Sarlat around 1147 AD - this cone/missile shaped building is in the middle of Sarlat's first cemetery behind the cathedral. Sarlat's old town is vibrant with commerce and activity - we visited on Saturday, which is market day when farmers and purveyors from the region sell their goods between 8 am and noon. The "market" travels around the various small cities each day of the week.