The European capital and the capital of Alsace, Strasbourg exudes youthfulness and energy. 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. Stained-Glass Demons - Strasbourg, France - Atlas Obscura 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. The chair of Bishop Broughton, first Anglican Bishop of Sydney, Australia. 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. Ad vertisement from shop HayleesSilver. Find Strasbourg Strasbourg Cathedral stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. 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. two bells are from 1987 and 2006. Visit the Strasbourg Cathedral in Alsace, France - European Traveler Strasbourg Cathedral: A Gothic Masterpiece - TripAnthropologist The South Transept contains the Pillar of Angels, a massive supporting pillar for the ceiling. HayleesSilver From shop HayleesSilver. Construction finished in 1439 with the erection of the emblematic North tower. [82] Other parts of the vaults are upheld by Atlantes, supports in the form of human figures. [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. Emperior Charles V visits the cathedral in 1552. It lies on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the German city of Kehl . In 1518, a 'dancing plague' affected around 400 people in Strasbourg, Alsace (Now a city of France . Like the city of Strasbourg, the cathedral connects German and French cultural influences, while the eastern structures, e.g. Cathedral Strasbourg France Church Vintage Antique Photo 1910's 1920's [26][27][28], The octagonal north tower was the combined work of architects Ulrich Ensingen (shaft) and Johannes Hltz of Cologne (top). One of the coolest facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that you can get the best view of all on top of the cathedral itself! Previous buildings on the site Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg | www.strassburg.eu The narthex is the portion of the cathedral just inside the west front, beneath the tower. Since it was built, the platform has been a popular tourist attraction, and, until recently, a strategic fire lookout. This part of the clock is surrounded by painted figures representing the ancient empires Greece, Assyria, Persia, and Rome. [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 can be seen from over 30 kilometers (20 miles) away from all sides on a clear day. Cathedral facts for kids. 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. 1439-1939", "Straburger Mnster, Cathdrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg", "Straburger Mnster Mnster Unserer Lieben Frau", Notre Dame Cathedral (original plans and contemporary photographs), Historical Sketch of the Cathedral of Strasbourg, Diocese of GrenobleVienne-les-Allobroges, Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Sainte-Croix-de-Paris, Maronite Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Paris, Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint Vladimir the Great of Paris, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Strasbourg_Cathedral&oldid=1140780300, 15th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in France, Roman Catholic churches completed in 1439, Articles with French-language sources (fr), Articles with German-language sources (de), Articles needing cleanup from October 2021, Cleanup tagged articles with a reason field from October 2021, Wikipedia pages needing cleanup from October 2021, Pages using embedded infobox templates with the title parameter, Articles with MusicBrainz place identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, First Emperor Window: HENRICUS REX (presumably, Fourth Emperor Window: KAROLUS D[ic]C[tu]S MARTEL PATER BIPPINI (, Fifth Emperor Window: LOTHARIUS ROMANORUM IMPERATOR (. The first astronomical clock was installed in the cathedral from 135254 until 1500. 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. 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. The Cathedral stands on the exact site of a roman temple built on a little hill above the muddy ground. Completed in 1439, it looms majestically over the Place de la Cathdrale, a major city square. There are two altars fixed to west pillars of the crossing, both from the 16th century; one devoted to Saint Pancras of Rome and the other to Saint Maurice. The roof was set afire and the cross at the top of the spire was bent by a German artillery shell. The first traverses were made in what was known as the Lorraine style, with two levels of quadripartite windows, traversed by a narrow passageway. Because of this amazing trick, the spire was saved! It measures 142 m (466 ft) and remained the tallest building in the world until 1847. The current cathedral wasnt the first building on the site, 4. Strasbourg cathedral, a must-see visit in Alsace This is a real masterpiece of high Gothic. [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. 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. Portal of Saint Lawrence (North transept). 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. 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). 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. Choir pipe organ, north side of the choir, Height of observation deck: 66m (217ft), Exterior height of central nave: 40m (130ft), Inside height of central nave: 32m (105ft), Inside width of central nave: 16m (52ft), Inside height of lateral naves: 19m (62ft), Exterior width of west faade: 51.5m (169ft), Diameter of west faade rose window: 13.6m (45ft). pictures from Axis Mundi Design. The two lower lancet windows were put together in the 19th century out of glass from different centuries. It dates to the end of the 15th century. 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 . In October 1988, when the city celebrated its 2,000th anniversary (as the first official mention of Argentoratum dates from 12 BC), pope John Paul II visited and celebrated mass in the cathedral. Strasbourg Cathedral or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg , also known as Strasbourg Minster, is a Catholic cathedral in Strasbourg, Alsace, France. [52], The west front takes its distinctive appearance and sense of verticality from the dense network of lacelike pointed gables, pinnacles and tall, slender columns that cover it. Today, about 275,000 people live there (with around 780,000 in the metropolitan area ). After the annexation of the city by Louis XIV of France, on 30 September 1681, and a mass celebrated in the cathedral on 23 October 1681 in presence of the king and prince-bishop Franz Egon of Frstenberg,[33] the cathedral was returned to the Catholics and its inside redesigned according to the Catholic liturgy of the Counter-Reformation. [8], Animated mechanical figure of Samson and a lion. Remains of the choir screen are displayed in the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame and in The Cloisters. The cathedral was built in Gothic style. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Cathedral Strasbourg France Church Vintage Antique Photo 1910's 1920's 1930's at the best online prices at eBay! The face is flanked by two cylindrical towers with narrow lancet windows and pointed roofs. 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. Kids Encyclopedia Facts. A door opens from the chapel to an adjoining cloister behind the cathedral. The other vaults in the crossing were also intended to be painted, but funding was insufficient. It was hoisted up to its present position in 1327. One of the most fascinating churches in the world can be found in the east of France. 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. Strasbourg Cathedral (1015-1439) is an absolute masterpiece of Gothic art. 2,793 Strasbourg Strasbourg Cathedral Premium High Res Photos [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. [40], In 1903, the architect Johann Knauth discovered cracks on the first pillar of the northern side of the nave. Above this is a flamboyant Gothic balustrade with an original sundial from about 1493, and above that are two small rose windows from the same period. Several of the original Romanesque structures were torn down to make way for this revolutionary new architectural style. The northern transept is decorated with the Emperor Windows, also referred to as the Kaiserfenster.. But it hasn't always been. A cathedral is a large Christian church. 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. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Strasbourg and one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Europe. The vaults are supported by a circular pillar with modest decorative stone rings. It is composed of an octagonal pillar surrounded by four engaged columns, which reach upwards to support the vaults, and four slender colonettes. History. It became a major trading center for wine, grain, and later for textiles and luxury products. 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. 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. Construction of the Neo-Romanessque dome over the transept was begun, and new bronze doors were installed in 1879. One of the oldest gothic cathedrals in France and the world, along with the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. [84], In 2004 the apse and choir received some of its historic furnishings; fifteen choir stalls made by Claude Burdy and Claude Bergerat in 1692, as well as a group of busts of the apostles originally placed there in the 18th century. Drawing A, circa 1260. By car Served by the A4 and the A35. Until today, the church remains the 6th-tallest church in the world and is the most prominent landmark in Strasbourg. Walk up 66 meters to marvel at the view of Strasbourg from the top of the clock. This is, however, nothing compared to the height of the spire, which reaches a total height of 142 meters (466 feet) above the ground. It is easily recognizable by its pink sandstone faade and its unique tower. 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. It was rebuilt 1298, in 13241327, in 1384, 1430, and 1489 and finally in 1716 by Andr Silbermann. Only those Christian denominations that have bishops have cathedrals. The church is located in the Alsace Region in eastern France, 2. Strasbourg and Cologne Cathedral together represent some of the earliest uses of architectural drawing. (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. These include an old bell made by Jean Rosier and Cesar Bonbon (1691). [9] The Muse de l'uvre Notre-Dame, a municipal museum located in the Foundation's buildings, displays original works of art from the cathedral, such as sculptures and stained-glass, but also the surviving original medieval buildings plans. [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. The original Romanesque cathedral burned down in the year 1176 and the construction of the modern-day cathedral started shortly after this disaster. Decrees of the Emperor rendering justice were traditionally read out in front of this doorway. The upper windows of the nave depict eighty-four saints, added by various artists between 1250 and 1275. 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. The central decoration is sculptural work dedicated to the Virgin Mary donated by the de Barby brothers in 1521. Different characters, representing the ages of life (from a child to an old man) parade in front of Death. 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. With its spire soaring 142m above the city, Our Lady of Strasbourg Cathedral was the highest building in the West until the nineteenth century. Top 10 Little known Facts about Palais Rohan In 1372 the work was taken over a master Conrad, also known as Kuntze, about whom little is known, until 1382. Most of the stained-glass windows date back to the Middle Ages, 14. 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 . 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 chapel is devoted to memorials to six canons who were entombed there between 1478 and 1681. While previous faades were certainly drawn prior to construction, Strasbourg has one of the earliest faades whose construction is inconceivable without prior drawing. Theres a reason why the church has an asymmetrical form, 12. It looks over the former cloister of the canons of the cathedral. [84], The main altar, in the form of a tomb, is a recreation of an earlier altar in the rocaille or late baroque style, which had been damaged in a fire in 1759 and then ruined during the French Revolution. In 1015, bishop Werner laid the first stone of a new cathedral on the foundations of the Carolingian church. 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. The Strasbourg astronomical clock is located in the Cathdrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg, Alsace, France. [83], The central tower is composed of three levels. Today, the city is one of the most important cities in Europe as its home to several European institutions, including the European Parliament. 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.