It has an asymmetrical facade (mainly 13th century) with fine . The cathedral has a rich history, dating back to the . One of the most fascinating facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that it took hundreds of years to complete. This mechanism displays the phases of the moon. [29][30] The building of the second tower was often discussed, and was seriously proposed when Alsace became part of Germany after the 1871 French-German War in 1871, but was coldly received by the population of Strasbourg, who considered it would be a symbol of German occupation.[31]. Another remarkable feature inside the church is the Strasbourg astronomical clock. Its the third clock on this location and was installed in the year 1843, with previous clocks dating back to the 14th and 16th centuries. In 2010, the metropolitan area of Strasbourg is inhabited by 759,868 people. The cathedral is known for its ornate architecture and is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Europe. Notre Dame de Strasbourg Cathedral. The sacristy occupies the upper level over the chapel. The clock shows much more than the official time; it also indicates solar time, the day of the week (each represented by a god of mythology), the month, the year, the sign of the zodiac, the phase of the moon and the position of several planets. Fortunately for Strasbourg, the Romanesque church burnt down in 1176, and reconstruction dragged on sufficiently for the bishop to mostly use the newly . [56], The mid-level of the transept over the portal, built in about 1230, has lancet windows and a statue of Virgin, flanked by Saint Peter and Saint Lawrence. The Bayeux Tapestry is without a doubt the most fascinating Romanesque artwork that was ever produced. The first stone was placed on May 25, 1277, by Bishop Conrad of Lichtenberg. The first traverses were made in what was known as the Lorraine style, with two levels of quadripartite windows, traversed by a narrow passageway. The central art work of the North Transept is a large statue of Christ on the cross, over a sculptural landscape depicting the Mount of Olives, crowded with carved figures in dramatic poses. [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. Christianity was first imposed in 313 by the Edict of Constantine. The sculpture largely dates to the late 13th century and is similar in theme and style to that of the sculpture of Reims Cathedral made between 1250 and 1260, though the Strasbourg sculpture shows greater realism.[53]. Only those Christian denominations that have bishops have cathedrals. [85], Statue of Virgin and a processional banner, in the Chapel of St. Andrew, The Chapel of Saint Andrew is on the southeast side, to the right of the apse. In 1524, the city council assigned the cathedral to the Protestant faith, while the building suffered some damage from iconoclastic assaults. [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. During the French Revolution in the late 18th century, churches in France were in great danger. The genuinely Romanesque chevet can only be seen from the courtyard of the adjacent complex of 18th-century buildings. [17] The first recorded bishop, Amand, participated in the Councils of Cologne and Sardique in 346 and 347. [18], The next major step was the reconstruction of the nave into the Gothic style, which took place between 1240 and 1274. The faade is supported and divided vertically by four narrow buttresses, each decorated with sculpture. The northern transept is decorated with the Emperor Windows, also referred to as the Kaiserfenster.. [71], Two chapels, devoted to Saint Andrew and Saint John the Baptist, were attached to the two sides of the apse. The belltower is 142 m high. Walk up 66 meters to marvel at the view of Strasbourg from the top of the clock. de la Cathdrale, 67000 Strasbourg, France Phone +33 3 88 21 43 34 Web Visit website One of France's most stunning examples of late Gothic architecture, Strasbourg Cathedral towers over the Northern city's skyline with dramatic, imposing details. As with the other portals of the cathedral, most of the statues now to be seen in situ are copies, the originals having been moved to the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame.[32]. A trick saved the cathedrals spire during the French Revolution, 13. The design is composed of a series of unfolded arches which rest on a submerged "Latin Cross" floor plan. The church is located in the Alsace Region in eastern France, 2. The length of the cathedral is about 100 metres, with the main aisle of 38 metres. It was the tallest building of world for over 227 years. The guard's house, located in the spot planned for the second spire, reflects a rich history going back to the 16th century. Figures of two reclining women hold a cadran (clock face) between them which tells the minutes. 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. I love my Sony A6000, which is light, compact and . "It is our history," French president Emmanuel Macron said after the fire. The extension concerns the Neustadt, new town, designed and built under the German administration (1871-1918). "We will rebuild Notre-Dame together because that is what our history deserves." The goal is to have the repairs completed in time for the 2024 Summer Olympics. [84], The stained glass window in the axis of the apse depicts the Virgin of Alscace. Find Strasbourg Strasbourg Cathedral stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. In 1918 Alsace and Strasbourg and Alscace were once again attached to France. 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's 11th-15th-century Cathedral of Notre-Dame, damaged in 1870 and again in World War II, has been carefully restored. It became a major trading center for wine, grain, and later for textiles and luxury products. Its the capital of the Grand Est region of France in the historic region of Alsace. Strasbourg is the seat Council of Europe, of the European Court of Human Rights and of the European Parliament. Strasbourg cathedral is an excellent example of gothic art, though the building also has Romanesque features dating back to before 1225 when there was a change of craftsmen. 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. The portal of the infancy of Christ (left) depicts angels, bishops and saints in the voussures, and figures representing the virtues, carrying spears, prod the figures representing the vices. At noon, a group of three mechanical kings would prostrate themselves before the infant Jesus, while the chimes of the clock sounded the hour. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Strasbourg and one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Europe. [80], The north transept also contains the two baptismal fonts, one circular and one octagonal, in their own architectural settings, They were made by Jost Dotzinger in 1453. However, between 1250 and 1255 they decided to become more ambitious, and used what was called the "Parisian style"; this created three levels with a total height of 32 meters from the floor to the vaults. Strasbourg Cathedral still holds a remarkable record, 7. It also contains the tomb of Conrad de Bussnang, a prominent member of the chapter, whose image is portrayed in sculpture praying before the Virgin and child. Cathedral. The central vessel was higher than the two collaterals. Strasbourg Cathedral is located in the heart of the Grande le, an island that lies at the historic centre of the north-eastern French city and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988. the choir and south portal, still have very Romanesque features, with more emphasis placed on walls than on windows. While the spire is the most prominent feature, the western faade is the most impressive element of the cathedrals design. Like the city of Strasbourg, the cathedral connects German and French cultural influences, while the eastern structures, e.g. The planned south tower was never built and as a result, with its characteristic asymmetrical form, the cathedral is now the premier landmark of Alsace. de la Cathdrale, 67000 Strasbourg, France Phone +33 3 88 21 43 34 Web Visit website A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, Notre-Dame Cathedral rivals its more famous counterpart in Paris. The architects of the rebuilding began to include Gothic elements, following the style that had appeared in northern France in the 12th century, while still preserving the existing Romanesque features. It is reached by a stairway with a curling sculpted design called "butterfly wings". [26][27][28], The octagonal north tower was the combined work of architects Ulrich Ensingen (shaft) and Johannes Hltz of Cologne (top). [67] It is surrounded and supported by four more slender towers containing circular stairways. The reason is simply that the intention was to eventually build the south tower, but this never happened, resulting in the buildings distinctive form today. This artifact was later kept in the historical collections of the city until they were all destroyed during the Siege of Strasbourg in a massive fire in August 1870. In addition to the grand organ in nave, the cathedral has two smaller organs: The baptismal font by Jost Dotzinger (1453), Judgement of Solomon window in north transept (late 12th c.), Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist (3rd quarter of 12th century), left window of north transept, The transept and the apse were built atop the Romanesque crypt, making them a little higher than the nave; they are reached by a short stairway, giving the impression that the choir and apse are the stage of a theater. [83], The apse, with the Virgin of Alsace window (1956), Crowning of Mary, by Eduard Steinle in the vault of the apse, The apse of the cathedral, the hemispherical vault behind the altar on the northeast end, features Romanesque and Gothic architecture overlaid with 19th-century Neo-Romanesque decoration, The paintings on the half-dome and walls were made by douard Steinl in 187779, in the style of a Byzantine mosaic. Free shipping for many products! [68] Its base is topped by a gallery with pointed arches, beneath a level with large arched bays, two on each side, side, divided by clusters of columns. The original construction phase utilized the Romanesque architectural style. 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. A cathedral is a large Christian church. Completed in 1439, it looms majestically over the Place de la Cathdrale, a major city square. The other vaults in the crossing were also intended to be painted, but funding was insufficient. All the parts of the clock together are 18m (59ft) high. At the same time, the planned two spires on either side of the facade would reach an extraordinary height of 122 meters. Each has a particular theme of decoration; the left portal is dedicated to the infancy of Christ, the central portal to redemption, and the right portal to the Last Judgement. 1. Strasbourg and Cologne Cathedral together represent some of the earliest uses of architectural drawing. The original statue-columns of the Apostles from the 1220s which supported the tympanum were smashed in 1793 during the French Revolution. These are the best places for couples seeking sights & landmarks in Strasbourg: Cathedrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg; La Petite France; glise Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune; Barrage Vauban; Centre-ville de Strasbourg; See more sights & landmarks for couples in Strasbourg on Tripadvisor