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. But it hasn't always been. This mechanism displays the phases of the moon. The cathedral was built in Gothic style. Add to Favorites . 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. Strasbourg Cathedral (official French: Notre-Dame de Strasbourg ,German: Liebfrauenmnster zu Straburg, Our Lady of Strasbourg) is the Cathedral in Strasbourg. The Strasbourg astronomical clock is located in the Cathdrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg, Alsace, France. Architect Jakob von Landshut and sculptor Hans von Aachen rebuilt the portal of the northern portal, now referred to as the Saint-Lawrence portal or Portail Saint-Laurent, starting in 1505, which was the height of the Renaissance period. 1. A cathedral is a large Christian church. 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. Because of this amazing trick, the spire was saved! The cathedral was eventually surpassed in height by the St. Nikolai Church in Hamburg, Germany. The grand organ, located high on the wall of the north side of the nave, is recorded as existing in 1260. The extension concerns the Neustadt, new town, designed and built under the German administration (1871-1918). It was decorated with paintings by the Swiss painter Tobias Stimmer. Built entirely in the Middle Ages, Strasbourg Cathedral was the tallest building in the world for more than 200 years. It is reached by a stairway with a curling sculpted design called "butterfly wings". [67], The Klotz designed crossing dome over the transept, The crossing dome being built, 1878 or 1879, Romanesque vaults beneath the Klotz crossing dome. The next major step toward Gothic took place with the raising of the vaults of the south transept, creating thinner walls and more space for high windows. 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. [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. [49], In 2000, an Al-Qaeda plot to bomb the adjacent Christmas market was prevented by French and German police. The cupola itself rests upon four squinches, a base made of rounded arches, which make the connection between the Gothic and Romanesque elements. I love my Sony A6000, which is light, compact and . This part of the clock is surrounded by painted figures representing the ancient empires Greece, Assyria, Persia, and Rome. The current cathedral wasnt the first building on the site, 4. The nave and choir were composed of three vessels, each with two traverses. It takes its reddish-brown color from the sandstone of the Vosges mountains. A pointed arch frames the window, and a row of blind arches at the lower level completes the decoration. The original statue-columns of the Apostles from the 1220s which supported the tympanum were smashed in 1793 during the French Revolution. [82], Multiple faces of the clock -stars and hours, One face of the clock -signs of the zodiac, The astronomical clock, located in the south transept, is one of the most famous features of the cathedral. The cathedral has a length of 112 meters (367 feet) and a width of 16 meters (52 feet). The original construction of the church on its current location started in the year 1015. The original Romanesque cathedral burned down in the year 1176 and the construction of the modern-day cathedral started shortly after this disaster. De bouw van het uit roze zandsteen opgetrokken gebouw begon in 1176 en werd na 263 jaar in 1439 afgerond strasbourg cathedral stock pictures, royalty . He in 1284 and developed a western facade, with a thousand sculptures and an elegant rosette window. Church of St Peter the Young. [44] On 1 March 1941, General Leclerc made the "Oath of Kufra" (serment de Koufra), stating he would "rest the weapons only when our beautiful colours fly again on Strasbourg's cathedral". These include an old bell made by Jean Rosier and Cesar Bonbon (1691). 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. The pillar was created in the middle of the 13th century, most probably by a group of sculptors from France or Burgundy. The crossing of the transept and the choir is topped by the central cupola or dome, which is supported by four gigantic pillars, each wrapped in eight columns, which reach up to support the vaults under the cupola. As with so many other European Gothic churches, Strasbourg Cathedral was constructed on the ruins of its Romanesque predecessor. [75], The windows of the triforium, between the upper and lower window, contain 19th-century reconstitutions of early windows depicting the ancestors of Christ, but little of the original glass remains. Its place as the bourdon, or largest and deepest-sounding bell, was taken by an older bell, the "Totenglock", or "Death bell", which was traditionally used for mourning. The sculpture over the central tympanum and over the south portal of the transept was saved because it was covered with wooden planks with the revolutionary motto "Libert-Egalit-Fraternit,"[36], In April 1794, the Enrags started planning to tear the spire down, on the grounds that it hurt the principle of equality. [67] It is surrounded and supported by four more slender towers containing circular stairways. It became a major trading center for wine, grain, and later for textiles and luxury products. The Strasbourg Christmas markets are located in old Strasbourg, which is located on an island in the middle of the city. The cathedral has a rich history, dating back to the . The sculptor Jacques Zimmer added the heads of cherubs made of bronze. The rounded arches of tympanum over the doorway contain sculpture of the Virgin Mary dying, surrounded by the Twelve Apostles and being crowned by Christ. In 1518, a 'dancing plague' affected around 400 people in Strasbourg, Alsace (Now a city of France . Under the balustrade is a large painting on wood illustrating the Nativity, in a sweeping landscape. [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 more recent one is under the transept, from about 1150, and the older one, under the apse, was built in about 1110 to 1120. [84], The stained glass window in the axis of the apse depicts the Virgin of Alscace. [41][42], During World War II, the cathedral was seen as a symbol for both warring parties. The statues in the portals are all standing upon realistically carved capitals decorated with the signs of the zodiac. [71], Two chapels, devoted to Saint Andrew and Saint John the Baptist, were attached to the two sides of the apse. By plane 15 minutes from Strasbourg Airport. This enormous bell was installed but cracked shortly afterwards. Most of the sculptures decorating this portal are copies and the originals are on display in a museum in Strasbourg called the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame.. The construction of this church is a mixture of Roman and Gothic architecture. the choir and south portal, still have very Romanesque features, with more emphasis placed on walls than on windows. 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. CATHDRALE ALLEMANDE? It is in a Neo-Byzantine style, with Christ in a red frame in the center. [61], Lower portion of octagonal tower and spire, The octagonal tower and spire (remote view), The cathedral was originally intended to have two towers on the west front, but only the north one was built. 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. [72], The three levels of the nave; arcades and collateral aisles (bottom); triforium, and upper windows, The nave is the section of the cathedral between the narthex and the choir where ordinary parishioners are seated and worship. Thanks to the installation of rib vaults, the nave was raised in height to 27 meters, and the upper walls were filled with stained glass windows. Cathdrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg Address Pl. This is, however, nothing compared to the height of the spire, which reaches a total height of 142 meters (466 feet) above the ground. 26 November the Church (majestic and crowned), King Solomon (above two other small statues of children evoking his famous judgement), and the Synagogue (eyes blindfolded, a sign of the refusal of true faith by the Jewish religion). 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. Apart from that, he is also standing just outside of the Cathedral near the southern transept of the church. During the French Revolution nine bells were taken out and melted down to make cannon, but the "Totonglock" and a second bell, the "Zehrnerglock" (1.58 meters, 2.225 tons), made in Mathieu Edel in 1786, were preserved to ring the hours and serve as alarm bells for the city. Klotz's dome was in turn heavily damaged by bombing raids during World War II, and restored between 1988 and 1992. Walk up 66 meters to marvel at the view of Strasbourg from the top of the clock. It was built over a period of 424 years, 3. 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. A sculpture of a head, wearing the hat of an architect or magistrate, gazes from the balustrade at the pillar of angels. [8], The nave is dominated by the two rows of massive pillars. The portal outside the northern transept is equally fascinating, 10. Even though the cathedral was eventually surpassed in height by the St. Nikolai Church in Hamburg, Germany, it still holds the record of being the tallest church in the world that was completely constructed during the Middle Ages. The north tower was the world's tallest building from 1647 (when the taller spire of St. Mary's Church, Stralsund burnt down) until 1874 (when the tower of St. Nikolai's Church in Hamburg was completed). It rises in three levels; the portals on the ground level; the level of the rose window above them, and the top level, with a balustrade. The small circular windows above the Emperors depict scenes from the life of Christ.[73]. Since it was built, the platform has been a popular tourist attraction, and, until recently, a strategic fire lookout. The first stone was placed on May 25, 1277, by Bishop Conrad of Lichtenberg. The Neustadt draws the inspiration for its urban layout partially . The first astronomical clock was installed in the cathedral from 135254 until 1500. Strasbourg is the seat Council of Europe, of the European Court of Human Rights and of the European Parliament. Strasbourg Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Strasbourg, France. It measures 142 m (466 ft) and remained the tallest building in the world until 1847. 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. Back in the day that Strasbourg was referred to as Argentoratum by the Ancient Romans, the site was already occupied by a Roman sanctuary. #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. The currently visible, much higher crossing dome was designed in grand Romanesque Revival style by the architect Gustave Klotz, after the original dome had been heavily damaged by Prussian shelling during the Siege of Strasbourg. This project was completed in 1926, after the end of the war. Firstly the cathedral, the second most visited French cathedral after Notre Dame de Paris; secondly the picture-book historic quarter of Petite France, with its half-timbered medieval houses and its quays overlooking branches of the river Ill (that is the river " ill "); and thirdly . A monument has been erected in his honor in a town nearby called Steinbach which is part of the town of Baden-Baden, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) to the northeast of Strasbourg. Today it is the sixth-tallest church in the world and the highest still standing extant structure built entirely in the Middle Ages. Built of red Vosges sandstone, it is a harmonious edifice despite the variety of its architectural styles. It is one of the oldest parts of the cathedral, constructed in about 1170 and then rebuilt in Gothic style in 1230, with the same height as the adjoining nave. The construction of the Strasbourg Cathedral, we know today, thereafter started and it took quite a bit of time to finish. Here are the best facts about Strasbourg Cathedral 1. Strasbourg is the second most popular tourist city in France, after Paris; and there are three main attractions. By the use of buttresses and a double wall, the outer wall decorative with wide spaces, and the inner wall bearing the weight and having large windows, the interior of the cathedral could have more light. The history of Strasbourg's cathedral is well documented thanks to the archives of the Notre-Dame Foundation, the city of Strasbourg, and of the diocese. Download Strasbourg Cathedral stock photos. Today, about 275,000 people live there (with around 780,000 in the metropolitan area ). The crossing is filled with statues and busts of saints set into niches as well as bas-reliefs of the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi. On the south side, the upper windows depict soldiers, popes, bishops, and other masculine figures. [53], The portal of Saint-Laurent, on the north transept, The three Kings with the Virgin Mary and child, Original statues in the Muse de l'uvre Notre-Dame, The portal of Saint Lawrence, was added to the north transept between 1495 and 1505 by Jacob von (or Jacques de) Landshut, with sculptures by Hans von Aachen (aka Johan von Ach, or Jean d'Aix-la-Chapelle) and Conrad Sifer. Protestant and Revolutionary iconoclasm, the war periods of 1681, 1870 and 19401944, as well as changes in taste and liturgy, have taken a toll on some of Strasbourg Cathedral's most outstanding features such as the choir screen of 1252 and the successive high altars (ca. Type of place: Religious site. It dates to the end of the 15th century. A trick saved the cathedrals spire during the French Revolution, 13. 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. [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. Its also the capital of the Bas-Rhin department. [21] From 1341 until 1372 (or according to other sources: 13391371), the post of chief architect was held by a Master Gerlach (not to be confused with Erwin's other son, Gerlach von Steinbach, architect of the Niederhaslach Church),[22] who has been identified as Erwin's grandson Johannes Gerlach von Steinbach. [67], The spire above the tower is composed of eight stages of elaborate octagonal structure, linked together by interlaced arches and pinnacles, which contain a stairway to the lantern at the top. Christianity was first imposed in 313 by the Edict of Constantine. 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. While the spire is the most prominent feature, the western faade is the most impressive element of the cathedrals design. Other scenes are painted onto the reverse of the bas-reliefs. The 142 m high spire looks incredibly lightweight and made the Cathedral the highest edifice in all Christianity until the 19th century. Under the roof of the Klotz tower are the six bells that ring the weekly masses but also the baptisms, marriages and deaths of parishioners. These windows date to about 1345. Strasbourg Cathedral 104 Results Strasbourg Alsace France Petite France Ill Waterfront Sticker By artshop77 From $1.40 DECEMBER Canvas Print By Tritri Choupi $84.50 Strasbourg Cathedral - France Sticker By Moritz Schwble From $2.61 Strasbourg Alsace France Petite France street scene Sticker By artshop77 From $1.40 strasbourg cathedral Sticker At the lower level are statues of the four Evangelists. [85], The bourdon, the largest and deepest-sounding bell, In 1519 Strasbourg Cathedral commissioned Jerg von Speyer to create what was said to be the largest bell in Europe; 2.74 meters in diameter and weighing twenty tons. Remains of the choir screen are displayed in the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame and in The Cloisters. This faade has been credited to Erwin von Steinback and is considered to be an absolute masterpiece of the Gothic Era. It is the least decorated side of the cathedral. 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. When the word was spread that Adolf Hitler wanted to turn the church into a national sanctuary of the German people during World War II, all the stained-glass windows were put into 74 boxes and stored in a salt mine near Heilbronn in Germany. 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. Construction began in 1015, and it was largely completed in 1432. [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. Different characters, representing the ages of life (from a child to an old man) parade in front of Death. This Carolingian church is believed to have had an apse flanked by two chapels and a nave covered with a wooden beamed roof, but no trace remains today. [83], Animated characters launch into movement at different hours of the day. 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. By car Served by the A4 and the A35. Parcours "The Cathedral of Strasbourg" Streetcar line: Ligne A, D-Arrt : Langstross Grand'Rue. The South Transept contains the Pillar of Angels, a massive supporting pillar for the ceiling. In height to the vaults it is 32.616 metres (107.01ft). This unique architectural style of the cathedral makes it all the more beautiful. [10], The history of Strasbourg's cathedral is well documented thanks to the archives of the Notre-Dame Foundation, the city of Strasbourg, and of the diocese. The tracery and decoration of the interior are very much like of that exterior, with blind galleries and delicate parallel vertical lines, like the strings of a harp. Built of red Vosges sandstone, it is a harmonious edifice despite the variety of its architectural styles. This clock functioned until 1788, and can be seen today in the Strasbourg Museum of Decorative Arts. Ensingen worked on the cathedral from 1399 to 1419, taking over from Claus von Lohre, and Hltz from 1419 to 1439, completing the building at last. The sculpture of the portals was returned to its places or restored between 1811 and 1827. One of the architects was Erwin von Steinbach. One of the oldest gothic cathedrals in France and the world, along with the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. On a clear day, it can be seen all the way from the Vosges Mountains, a mountain range over 30 kilometers to the southeast of the city, and the Black Forest, a famous forest an equal distance to the east! It was built next to Strasbourg Cathedral in the 1730s, from designs by Robert de Cotte . The choir was given its multicolour painted decoration, by douard Steinl and Charles Auguste Steinheil, finished in 1879. It also dates from the 15th century. Theres a statue of the main architect next to the cathedral, 8.