[71], The narthex of the cathedral and massive pillars supporting the tower, seen from the central nave, Inside of west front doors, with blind rose window and column-statue of St. Peter. Strasbourg Cathedral Gifts & Merchandise for Sale | Redbubble [62][63][64][65][66], The eight-sided tower is three times higher than wide, more elongated than other Gothic towers of the 14th century. It was originally made in 1498 by Nicolas Roder for the cemetery of Saint-Thomas, and was based on engravings by Martin Schongauer and Albrecht Drer. Christmas in Strasbourg, France (2022): Everything You Need to Know They were purchased by the Chapter of Strasbourg Cathedral in 1739, and were an example of the importation of the French style of that period into Alsace. The octagon tower was begun in 1399 by Ulrich von Ensingen (chief architect until 1419), and crowned with a spire by his successor Johannes Hltz. Apart from that, he is also standing just outside of the Cathedral near the southern transept of the church. [50], The restoration of the tower was completed in 2006, and in 2014 a new campaign of restoration was begun on the south transept. After trying several temporary measures, in 1915, during the First World War, he launched a large-scale project to replace the entire foundation of the cathedral with concrete. Some of the windows were assembled with glass from different periods: in the windows devoted to the Emperors Frederick II and Henry II of Bamberg, the heads were made between 1250 and 1275, but in 1522 were remounted onto the bodies of other kings from earlier windows made in about 1180. The most amazing feature of the cathedral is its west faade, 9. It was called the Dreiknigsuhr ("three-king clock"), and was located at the opposite wall from where today's clock is. Drawing A, circa 1260. Strasbourg - Wikipedia He reconstructed the dome over the transept in a grander, Romanesque Revival style. Top 10 Little Known Facts about Palais Rohan. The exterior height of the central nave reaches an astounding 40 meters (130 feet) as well. The portals are set forward from the front of the church by the network of slender columns, spires and arches which form an outer decorative wall. The Director of public works of Strasbourg, Grold, quickly took down and protected the statues of the portal, but 215 statues of the voussures over the portals were smashed with hammers, as were the angels atop the gables on the facade, and the crowns and sceptres of the statues of the kings. The chapel contains the tomb of Bishop Conrad de Lichtenberg, made between 1310 and 1320, and now framed by flamboyant tripe arch. Strasbourg Cathedral or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg , also known as Strasbourg Minster, is a Catholic cathedral in Strasbourg, Alsace, France. The Muse de l'uvre Notre-Dame, or Museum of the Work of Notre-Dame, is located in a medieval and Renaissance building not far from the cathedral, and displays a collection of some of the most delicate original works of sculpture and art from Cathedral, moved there to protect them from environmental damage. It was built on the site of a chapel from the Merovingian dynasty - the ruling family of the Franks from the middle of the fifth to the eighth centuries. Goethe and the Strasbourg Cathedral - My French Quest The cathedral has an observation deck that offers stunning views, French Revolution in the late 18th century, The Laughing Cavalier by Frans Hals Top 8 Facts, The Caf-Concert by douard Manet Top 8 Facts, Top 10 Famous Paintings at the Frans Hals Museum, 8 Historic Facts about the Szchenyi Chain Bridge. By car Served by the A4 and the A35. The capitals of the columns are decorated with dragons and other mythical creatures. Above this are blind arcades, an ornate cornice, and then a pointed roof with a pair of dormer or skylight windows, a small window above a large one, on each side, which brought light to the choir below. Strasbourg Cathedral: How to Visit & What to See - TripSavvy [83], In 1547 a new clock was begun by Christian Herlin and others, but the construction was interrupted when the cathedral was handed over to the Roman Catholic Church. Strasbourg Cathedral Interesting Facts The construction of the cathedral took 424 years. When the nave was rebuilt in Gothic style in the 13th century, the old windows were reinstalled in random locations. The other vaults in the crossing were also intended to be painted, but funding was insufficient. A bas-relief of an abstracted Gothic cathedral will emerge on the . The wicked attempt, without success, to seduce the noble Virgins, but succeed with the foolish virgins. Most of these windows date back to the 12th and 13th centuries! The original Romanesque cathedral burned down in the year 1176 and the construction of the modern-day cathedral started shortly after this disaster. A Brief History of Strasbourg Cathedral - Culture Trip One of the most amazing facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that an addition was made in the early 16th century in the post-Gothic, early-Renaissance style, as well. This clock functioned until 1788, and can be seen today in the Strasbourg Museum of Decorative Arts. [18], The next major step was the reconstruction of the nave into the Gothic style, which took place between 1240 and 1274. Strasbourg Cathedral: visitor information and guide - France This Way Stavelot Triptych. Strasbourg is, indeed, in France. The choir and the north transept of the cathedral were completed in a Romanesque style starting in 1176, and it wasnt until the year 1225 that the switch was made to the Gothic style. Previous buildings on the site The cathedral was hit by British and American bombs during air raids on the centre of Strasbourg on 11 August 1944, which also heavily damaged the Palais Rohan and the Sainte-Madeleine Church. Only those Christian denominations that have bishops have cathedrals. It is the tallest building in the city and has been a World Heritage Site since 1988. Its also the capital of the Bas-Rhin department. [83] The present clock was built by Jean-Baptiste Schwilgu between 1837 and 1842.[83]. Each pillar bundles sixteen smaller columns, of which five reach upward to support the vaults overhead. The new plan was inspired in part by French cathedrals, particularly the Basilica of Saint-Urbain of Troyes. More recently, a group of six modern bells was cast in Heidelberg between 1974 and 1976; they range from 1.7 meters to 0.9 meters in diameter, and from 3.9 to 5.7 tons in weight. The cathedral was eventually surpassed in height by the St. Nikolai Church in Hamburg, Germany. One of the most fascinating facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that it took hundreds of years to complete. Above this is a globe, with painted figures of the Church and the Antichrist confronting each other. Strasbourg Cathedralor the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg(French: Cathdrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, or Cathdrale de Strasbourg, German: Liebfrauenmnster zu Straburgor Straburger Mnster), also known as Strasbourg Minster, is a cathedral. Only the names remain carved on the walls. 15+ Intriguing Strasbourg France Facts to Improve Your Knowledge The same was about to happen to the spire of Strasbourg Cathedral as the agitators who ruled the city during the revolution, referred to as the Enrags, planned to demolish it in April of 1794. Under the balustrade is a large painting on wood illustrating the Nativity, in a sweeping landscape. Some of the capitals also have sculpted monsters and lions on the corners. They are traditionally hung in the arcades of the nave during Advent. The Cathedral, Strasbourg | Ticket Price | Timings - TripHobo All the parts of the clock together are 18m (59ft) high. It is easily recognizable by its pink sandstone faade and its unique tower. The first traverses were made in what was known as the Lorraine style, with two levels of quadripartite windows, traversed by a narrow passageway. One can see 30 kilometers from the observation level, which provides a view of the Rhine banks from the Vosges all the way to the Black Forest. #1 A Good Camera - No doubt you're going to be snapping like crazy with these amazing Cathedral views and need to ensure you have a good camera to do this city justice. This cathedral was then again replaced by a more prominent structure which consisted of three naves and three apses, and it was on the ruins of this Carolingian cathedral that the original modern-day cathedral was constructed in 1015. The work of Professor Robert O. Bork of the University of Iowa suggests that the design of the Strasbourg faade, while seeming almost random in its complexity, can be constructed using a series of rotated octagons. Emperior Charles V visits the cathedral in 1552. Constructed of pink sandstone from the Vosges Mountains, it took nearly 3 centuries of work to complete this "gigantic and delicate marvel", as Victor Hugo called it. Several of the original Romanesque structures were torn down to make way for this revolutionary new architectural style. It became a major trading center for wine, grain, and later for textiles and luxury products. Many of his writings have not ever been translated. The work was completed in 1439. In 1518, a 'dancing plague' affected around 400 people in Strasbourg, Alsace (Now a city of France . It looks over the former cloister of the canons of the cathedral. It was the tallest building in the world for a period of 227 years, 6. [20] Erwin von Steinbach's son Johannes von Steinbach served as magister operis, or Werkmeister (chief architect) from (at least) 1332 until his death in 1341. This is, however, nothing compared to the height of the spire, which reaches a total height of 142 meters (466 feet) above the ground. Strasbourg is the seat Council of Europe, of the European Court of Human Rights and of the European Parliament. Notre Dame de Strasbourg Cathedral. On the south side, the upper windows depict soldiers, popes, bishops, and other masculine figures. A sculpture of a head, wearing the hat of an architect or magistrate, gazes from the balustrade at the pillar of angels. Originally the lantern was topped by a statue of the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of the cathedral, but in 1488 it was replaced by a fleuron, or flower-shaped ornament. Strasbourg Cathedral (official French: Notre-Dame de Strasbourg ,German: Liebfrauenmnster zu Straburg, Our Lady of Strasbourg) is the Cathedral in Strasbourg. "It is our history," French president Emmanuel Macron said after the fire. The level above displays a group of mechanical chariots, with allegorical figures representing the days of the week, which move daily to bring to the front the current day of the week. There are three stairways down to the crypt, the oldest, from the apse, dates to about 1150. The more recent one is under the transept, from about 1150, and the older one, under the apse, was built in about 1110 to 1120. The platform - Strasbourg - Office de tourisme de Strasbourg et sa Rgion Portal of Saint Lawrence (North transept). Inside Strasbourg Cathedral. Construction of the new cathedral began on the foundations of the preceding structures. The sculptor Jacques Zimmer added the heads of cherubs made of bronze. It also dates from the 15th century. A Romanesque portal opens to the cloister outside. The Strasbourg Cathedral is impossible to miss as it towers above the surrounding buildings and is located in the center of the city. They were eventually returned and installed, along with numerous other works of art, by the specially created Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives section of the United States military. The west front was also exceptional because it was flanked by two towers, the "harmonic" style which became common in Gothic cathedrals during the following century. On the east wall, the windows depict Christ in Majesty, Saint Lawrence, a Virgin and Child, and John the Baptist. I love my Sony A6000, which is light, compact and . Archaeological excavations below and around the cathedral have been conducted in 18961897,[11] 1907,[12] 19231924,[13] 19471948,[14] between 1966 and 1972,[15] and finally between 2012 and 2014. With its spire soaring 142m above the city, Our Lady of Strasbourg Cathedral was the highest building in the West until the nineteenth century. These windows consist of 5 sets and depict 19 Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. Strasbourg Cathedral - Wikipedia When Bishop Werner I supported the winning candidate, Henry II of Germany, one of his Henry's rivals, Hermann of Germany, raided Strasbourg and burned down the cathedral. During the French Revolution in the late 18th century, churches in France were in great danger. The Gothic style also appeared in the statuary, particularly the Pillar of the Angels, and in the tympanums over the double portals on the south transept, which showed the influence of the sculpture in French Gothic cathedrals. Strasbourg, Grande-le and - UNESCO World Heritage Centre [26][27][28], The octagonal north tower was the combined work of architects Ulrich Ensingen (shaft) and Johannes Hltz of Cologne (top). The cathedral was built in Gothic style. 13 Facts About Notre-Dame Cathedral | Mental Floss [75], The dog of the preacher Johann Geiler von Kaysersberg, on the steps, mourning his master, The pulpit, attached to the fourth pillar of the north side of the nave, was sculpted in 1485 following a design by Hans Hammer. The northern transept is decorated with the Emperor Windows, also referred to as the Kaiserfenster.. And finally, here's my list of the top 4 packing essentials you shouldn't head to the Strasbourg Cathedral without. The walls of the tower have tall lancet openings, which show the bells and bring light into the interior, and are decorated on the exterior with interlocking pointed gables. LMENTS POUR UNE RPONSE", Les grandes dates de lhistoire de la Cathdrale de Strasbourg, "1439 1527: Strasbourg, loge suprme du Saint-Empire romain germanique", "Strasbourg Cathedral and the French Revolution (17891802)", "1906-1926: Consolidation des fondations du pilier de la tou", "CLBRATION DANS LA CATHDRALE DE NOTRE-DAME STRASBOURG HOMLIE DU PAPE JEAN-PAUL II Samedi, 8 octobre 1988", "Sculpture - Muse de l'uvre Notre-Dame", "L'histoire de la sculpture de saint Arbogast", "1399 1419: Construction de la haute tour", "Jubil du demi-millnaire de la flche de la cathdrale de Strasbourg. In height to the vaults it is 32.616 metres (107.01ft). Walk through history on a guided walking tour of the Strasbourg Cathedral. Cathdrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg Address Pl. Johann Knauth, le sauveur de la cathdrale", "Les rcentes fouilles de Strasbourg (19471948), leurs rsultats pour la chronologie d'Argentorate", "Dcouverte majeure sous la cathdrale: un bassin antique serait la premire piscine baptismale de Strasbourg", "Des lgionnaires romains aux btisseurs de la cathdrale: la fouille de la place du Chteau Strasbourg", "1340 1371: Construction de la chapelle Sainte-Catherine et de la tour nord", "LA CATHDRALE DE STRASBOURG CATHDRALE FRANAISE? During the Franco-Prussian War of 187071, city was under siege. One of the most remarkable facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that even though its considered to be the epitome of a church in the Gothic architectural style, the first phase consisted of Romanesque buildings. Bengel, Sabine; Nohlen, Marie-Jos; Potier, Stphane: This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 19:21. The narthex is the portion of the cathedral just inside the west front, beneath the tower. This mechanism displays the phases of the moon. [53], Unlike the sculpture of earlier cathedrals, the Strasbourg statues clearly show emotions; the prophets look severe, the Virgins appear serene, the Virtues look noble, and the frivolous Virgins appear foolish. Strasbourg Cathedral de Notre-Dame is known as one of the most beautiful gothic cathedrals in Europe. How tall is Strasbourg Cathedral? Plans to rebuild and restore the Notre Dame Cathedral are underway, with donations pouring in from all over. Strasbourg Cathedral: A Visitor's Guide to this UNESCO Site - ViaTravelers .The lower part of the massive base of the clock has statues of Apollo and the Goddess Diana presenting a circular calendar of the liturgical year, whose revolving face with a globe points to the dates of major religious festivals and events. The ornate and colourful decoration of pinnacle, spires, and sculpture Sculpture also hangs beneath the organ, including a moving figure of Samson opening the jaws of a lion. A pointed arch, a tribune for singers, and a balustrade were added in the 15th century. The mesmerizing Strasbourg Cathedral - 1000 years of history & legends Strasbourg Cathedral is over one thousand years old. While its most definitely assumed that drawings of buildings were made before the construction of this cathedral, the construction of this particular church marked an important moment in architectural history. One of the most fascinating facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that it took hundreds of years to complete. The arched tympanum over the doors of the central portal is crowded with sculpture, as are the voussures, the stone arches around the door. The pilasters between the stairways are older, from 1015. The Cathedral stands on the exact site of a roman temple built on a little hill above the muddy ground. [8], A set of "Emperor" windows, (Otto I, Otto II, Otto III, Conrad II, Henry III), Emperors Philip of Swabia, Henry IV, Henry V, Frederick II, Henry II of Bamberg, with head remounted on earlier body (1522), The five lower bays on the north side contain some of the oldest stained glass of the cathedral, installed in the old Romanesque cathedral in about 1180. In 1988, the Strasbourg Cathedral was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List along with the historic centre of the city (called the "Grande le") because of its outstanding Gothic architecture. The meeting points between the columns and the vault ribs is decorated with vegetal sculpture. Outside, the facade is the greatest "book" of images the Middle Ages has to offer. In the portal of the Last Judgement, (right) Christ sits on his throne sorting the virtuous from the wicked. The belltower is 142 m high. From the platform of Strasbourg Cathedral, 66 meters above the ground, discover a striking panorama of the city in 1490 to the west, and in 1730 to the east. It is decorated with four vertical groups of statue-columns, depicting scenes from Christ and the Last Judgement, as well as four angels carrying the instruments of the Passion, and above that, four more angels sounding trumpets. Free shipping for many products! At 142 metres (466 feet), Strasbourg Cathedral was the world's tallest building from 1647 to 1874 (227 years), when it was surpassed by St. Nikolai's Church, Hamburg. The Cathedrale Strasbourg is a Roman Catholic Church renovated and essentially rebuilt (from the original church of 1015) at the end of the 12th century in a Gothic architectural style. Marvel at the oldest Gothic cathedral of Europe with your local tour guide.