The Cathedral stands on the exact site of a roman temple built on a little hill above the muddy ground. In 1918 Alsace and Strasbourg and Alscace were once again attached to France. (15th c.), The chapel as it appeared in the 14th century (19th-century engraving), Tomb of Bishop Conrad de Lichtenberg (131020), The Chapel of Saint John the Baptist is located just to the left of the apse, at the northeast end of the cathedral. The observation deck is located at a height of 66 meters (217 feet) and offers some of the most amazing views of the wonderful city of Strasbourg and its surroundings! 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. Emperior Charles V visits the cathedral in 1552. With its elaborate astrological clock and red sandstone surface, a visit to the Cathedral is a must. It was the tallest building of world for over 227 years. Together with the Cologne Cathedral, the faade of the Strasbourg Cathedral is considered to be one of the first buildings in history which made architectural drawings necessary to make it conceivable. Remains of the choir screen are displayed in the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame and in The Cloisters. One of the architects was Erwin von Steinbach. Other moving figures include a trumpet player carrying a banner and a pretzel vendor being offered flour, water, and salt by the caryatides on the console. The rose windows of the west transept facade were made between 1230 and 1235, Above the rose are smaller round oculi from the same period, depicting Biblical symbols; the Alpha and Omega, the Candelabra of the Ancient Alliance, and others which combine floral and geometric designs. Church of St Peter the Young. .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. 00 4006 Langhausorgel im Strassburger Mnster.jpg 1,467 2,200; 3.7 MB 14-02-07-Cathdrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg-RalfR-05.jpg 2,848 4,288; 9.23 MB 14-02-07-Cathdrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg-RalfR-11.jpg 2,848 4,288; 8.14 MB Construction of the Neo-Romanessque dome over the transept was begun, and new bronze doors were installed in 1879. Architect Erwin von Steinbach is credited for major contributions from 1277 to his death in 1318, and beyond through his son Johannes von Steinbach, and his grandson Gerlach von Steinbach, who succeeded him as chief architects. 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. The original Romanesque crypt was kept and expanded westwards. [72], The creation of Adam and Eve (Narthex) (12801345), The lower bay on the south has stained glass windows that depict the Last Judgement, while the north bay windows illustrate twelve episodes from the Book of Genesis, including the creation of Adam and Eve, the original sin, the expulsion from Paradise, and Noah's ark. In 1905 he began taking measures to consolidate and strengthen the north side of the west facade, which supports the spire. [23] He completed the installation of the rose window, and above it twelve statues of the apostles. Above this is a globe, with painted figures of the Church and the Antichrist confronting each other. All these automata are put into operation daily at 12:30 pm except Sundays. The statues in the portals are all standing upon realistically carved capitals decorated with the signs of the zodiac. It dates to the end of the 15th century. Walk through history on a guided walking tour of the Strasbourg Cathedral. Most of the stained-glass windows date back to the Middle Ages, 14. A first Romanesque cathedral was built in the 11th century which later burnt to the ground. The work was completed in 1439. [67] It is surrounded and supported by four more slender towers containing circular stairways. 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. A gallery of statues of the Apostles, each in his own arch, is placed above the rose window. 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. The urban community is the residence for 467,375 people, while the city proper was occupied by 272,975 people based on the report in 2006. The new building, with its wooden roof beams, was unfortunately prone to fire; it suffered from fires in 1136, 1140,1150, and 1176. It was called the Dreiknigsuhr ("three-king clock"), and was located at the opposite wall from where today's clock is. [34] The main or high altar, a major work of early Renaissance sculpture, was also demolished that year. This part of the clock is surrounded by painted figures representing the ancient empires Greece, Assyria, Persia, and Rome. [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. 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 wicked attempt, without success, to seduce the noble Virgins, but succeed with the foolish virgins. It is in a Neo-Byzantine style, with Christ in a red frame in the center. The Silbermann organ had three keyboards, thirty-nine jeux, or effects and two thousand, two hundred forty-two pipes. Under Charlemagne, the Bishop Remi consecrated the altar and built a funeral crypt in about 778. A balustrade crosses the face of the transept, and above is a wall of two bays filled with stained glass. 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 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. The other vaults in the crossing were also intended to be painted, but funding was insufficient. [41][42], During World War II, the cathedral was seen as a symbol for both warring parties. Most of these windows date back to the 12th and 13th centuries! Another two old bells by Mathieu Edel (1787) ring on the quarter hours. They were constructed around its nave in the 12th century to lend support to the thin walls, after the need. The cathedral has a rich history, dating back to the . [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. Both the interior and exterior of the Strasbourg Cathedral are extraordinary, once called by Victor Hugo "a prodigy of the gigantic and the delicate." Built on the foundations of a Roman. 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. Take a moment to yourself in the cathedral; sit in a pew and enjoy the peace. How tall is Strasbourg Cathedral? The current cathedral wasnt the first building on the site, 4. 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. [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. The octagonal vault is covered with arches and lacelike interlaced sculpture in the late Gothic Flamboyant style. The very beautiful stained glass windows date from the fourteenth century and is mostly a work by John Kircheim. [83] The present clock was built by Jean-Baptiste Schwilgu between 1837 and 1842.[83]. [36], A series of major reconstructions and restorations were carried out in the second of the century Gustave Klotz[fr] from 1837 to 1888. These include an old bell made by Jean Rosier and Cesar Bonbon (1691). This enormous bell was installed but cracked shortly afterwards. Behind him is the portal of Saint Laurent. It's easy to get to by train from other regions in France (I took a direct train from Paris) or by car if you are driving. In height to the vaults it is 32.616 metres (107.01ft). Cathdrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg or Strasbourg Cathedral is the 6th tallest church in the world, built entirely in the medieval period. Strasbourg Cathedral While Goethe's poems on nature, romance, science and his great novel Faust have long been available to the English-speaking audience, his writings on art and literature, as in Essays, are less familiar. This magnificent cathedral is located in the city of Strasbourg in the eastern part of the country. The second wave of construction started in the 12th century, when the Gothic style of architecture had started to develop. The city celebrated its 2,000th anniversary in October of the year 1988 because it was first mentioned as the Ancient Roman settlement of Argentoratum in the year 12 B.C. 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. The grand organ, located high on the wall of the north side of the nave, is recorded as existing in 1260. The original construction of the church on its current location started in the year 1015. During the French Revolution in the late 18th century, churches in France were in great danger. [85], The cathedral has two Romanesque crypts, the oldest parts of the cathedral. It is reached by a stairway with a curling sculpted design called "butterfly wings". 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. Construction of the new cathedral began on the foundations of the preceding structures. The altar was recreated in 1809 by the architect Pierre-Valentin Boudhors, who discovered the old central medallion of the original altar and combined it with white and black marble panels. Apart from that, he is also standing just outside of the Cathedral near the southern transept of the church. It lies on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the German city of Kehl . Pl. Today it is the sixth-tallest church in the world and the highest still standing extant structure built entirely in the Middle Ages. He was followed by a Michael von Freiburg (also known as Michael von Gmnd, or Michael Parler, from the Parler family of architects), recorded as magister operis in 13831387,[24] who was then succeeded by Claus von Lohre (13881399). The window was a gift to the Cathedral in 1956 from the Council of Europe, which has headquarters in Strasbourg. This clock functioned until 1788, and can be seen today in the Strasbourg Museum of Decorative Arts. 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. 300 years actually, give or take a few decade! 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. A paleochristian church or cathedral is believed to have been founded by an edict of Clovis I, but its exact location and appearance is unknown. Strasbourg Cathedral or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg (French: Cathdrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, or Cathdrale de Strasbourg, German: Liebfrauenmnster zu Straburg or Straburger Mnster), also known as Strasbourg Minster, is a Catholic cathedral in Strasbourg, Alsace, France. A sculpture of a head, wearing the hat of an architect or magistrate, gazes from the balustrade at the pillar of angels. Construction began in 1015, and it was largely completed in 1432. It replaces the original window which was one of the few windows not put into safe storage before World War II; it was destroyed by Allied bombing in 1944. [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". He reconstructed the dome over the transept in a grander, Romanesque Revival style. This faade has been credited to Erwin von Steinback and is considered to be an absolute masterpiece of the Gothic Era. The elevation has the traditional High Gothic or Rayonnant Gothic three levels; large arcades below, with windows on the collateral aisles; a narrow triforium, or gallery, also with windows, for passing along the walls; and above that, of equal height with the arcades the upper windows which reach up into the vaults. It takes its reddish-brown color from the sandstone of the Vosges mountains. 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. A cathedral is a large Christian church. It is the second most visited cathedral in France, just after Notre Dame de Paris! The 142 m high spire looks incredibly lightweight and made the Cathedral the highest edifice in all Christianity until the 19th century. The upper windows at Strasbourg fill the entire space between the triforium and the vaults. 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. [57] Following their destruction during the French Revolution, several of the sculptures have been replaced in the 19th century by works by Philippe Grass,[58] Jean-tienne Malade,[59] and Jean Vallastre. [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. The cathedral can be seen from over 30 kilometers (20 miles) away from all sides on a clear day. Type of place: Religious site. [84], The stained glass window in the axis of the apse depicts the Virgin of Alscace. The central decoration is sculptural work dedicated to the Virgin Mary donated by the de Barby brothers in 1521. 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. Judgement of Solomon at Strasbourg Cathedral. Full description. Its considered to be the epitome of French Gothic architecture, 5. One of the oldest gothic cathedrals in France and the world, along with the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Described by Victor Hugo as a "gigantic and delicate marvel",[7] and by Goethe as a "sublimely towering, wide-spreading tree of God",[2] the cathedral is visible far across the plains of Alsace and can be seen from as far off as the Vosges Mountains or the Black Forest on the other side of the Rhine. The windows are devoted to nine Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. Strasbourg Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Strasbourg, France. They were commissioned by Cardinal Richelieu for the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, and were made to accompany a painting there, "The Vow of Louis XIII". Above this is a colourful clock with the signs of the zodiac. Although considerable parts of it are still in Romanesque architecture, it is widely considered[2][3][4][5] to be among the finest examples of Rayonnant Gothic architecture. 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. If you enjoyed this video, make sure to subscribe to our channel. 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. You will surely enjoy exploring the vibrant . History. The pointed gable over the central portal, decorated with a sculpture of the Virgin Mary and child, reaches up into the space in front of the rose window. This unique architectural style of the cathedral makes it all the more beautiful. The four bells in the octagon tower are rung on the hour. Construction was resumed in 1571 by Conrad Dasypodius and the Habrecht brothers, and this clock was given a more ambitious program of mechanical figures. 1500) by Nikolaus Hagenauer, probably from the former main altar of the cathedral, Parts of the original astronomical clock (Strasbourg Museum of Decorative Arts). Other objects and works from the cathedral, including the mechanism of the original astronomical clock, are found in the Muse des arts dcoratifs de Strasbourg. The nave and choir were composed of three vessels, each with two traverses. [83], Animated characters launch into movement at different hours of the day. [79]. The Neustadt draws the inspiration for its urban layout partially . [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. One of the most fascinating facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that it took hundreds of years to complete. 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. [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. This switch was made under the influence of architects who worked on the Cathedral of Chartres. [60], As with all the other portals, several of the statues have been replaced by copies in situ and are today displayed in the Muse de l'uvre Notre-Dame. The cathedral was built in Gothic style. The cathedral has a length of 112 meters (367 feet) and a width of 16 meters (52 feet). The chair of Bishop Broughton, first Anglican Bishop of Sydney, Australia. Its also the capital of the Bas-Rhin department. The chapel is devoted to memorials to six canons who were entombed there between 1478 and 1681. [18], The next major step was the reconstruction of the nave into the Gothic style, which took place between 1240 and 1274. Like the city of Strasbourg, the cathedral connects German and French cultural influences, while the eastern structures, e.g. On the east wall, the windows depict Christ in Majesty, Saint Lawrence, a Virgin and Child, and John the Baptist. The first overhead vault before the cupola features a 19th-century painting of the Last Judgement by Charles Auguste Steinheil, a collaborator of Eugne Viollet-le-Duc and other notable cathedral-restorers. Walk up 66 meters to marvel at the view of Strasbourg from the top of the clock. The construction of the Strasbourg Cathedral, we know today, thereafter started and it took quite a bit of time to finish. [48] The bishopric of Strasbourg had been elevated to the rank of archbishopric a few months before, in June 1988. On the south side, the upper windows depict soldiers, popes, bishops, and other masculine figures. [45] During that same war, the stained glass was removed in 74 cases. [19], 1277 plan for west front (Plan Riss B restitution), Construction of Strasbourg Cathedral, by Thophile Schuler, 1850, Strasbourg Cathedral in the Middle Ages, painting by August von Bayer (19th century), The next major project was the rebuilding of the west front, or facade, in the Gothic style. Kids Encyclopedia Facts. This is, however, nothing compared to the height of the spire, which reaches a total height of 142 meters (466 feet) above the ground. Klotz's dome was in turn heavily damaged by bombing raids during World War II, and restored between 1988 and 1992. The genuinely Romanesque chevet can only be seen from the courtyard of the adjacent complex of 18th-century buildings. 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. Other The Strasbourg astronomical clock is located in the Cathdrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg, Alsace, France. The church was repaired after each fire, and reconstructions and modifications made, but it retained its essentially Romanesque form, with thick walls, small windows and massive columns. One of the most fascinating churches in the world can be found in the east of France. [83], The central tower is composed of three levels. This is crowned by the cross, which is surrounded by four smaller crosses and images of the host and chalice, elements of the liturgy of the Eucharist. 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. On the bottom, figures of the Four Seasons surround a mechanical astrolabe, which indicates the location of the planets according to Copernicus, and is surrounded by the signs of the zodiac. The crossing dome is placed over the meeting point of the transept and the choir, and, like the bell tower, has eight sides. They wear diadems and have flowers in their hair, and carry twigs of the tree of life, or fruit. [71], Two chapels, devoted to Saint Andrew and Saint John the Baptist, were attached to the two sides of the apse. In the late Middle Ages, the city of Strasbourg had managed to liberate itself from the domination of the bishop and to rise to the status of Free Imperial City. It is separated from the nave by two massive pillars, 8.5 by 5 meters, which support the tower above. 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. Other articles where Cathedral of Notre-Dame is discussed: Strasbourg: The contemporary city: Strasbourg's 11th-15th-century Cathedral of Notre-Dame, damaged in 1870 and again in World War II, has been carefully restored. 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]. One of the most fascinating facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that it took hundreds of years to complete. The reddish-brown sandstone from the Vosges mountains gives the cathedral its distinctive colour.[8]. [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 choir and south portal, still have very Romanesque features, with more emphasis placed on walls than on windows. The Cathedral stands on the exact site of a roman temple built on a little hill above the muddy ground. The cathedral is open from October to March from 10 a.m..

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