It is surrounded by a big place where tourists and inhabitants of Strasbourg like to take a walk. An additional element of decoration is given by the small sculpted, painted, and gilded heads on the keystones of the vaults, where the ribs meet. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. The Strasbourg Cathedral is impossible to miss as it towers above the surrounding buildings and is located in the center of the city. It became a major trading center for wine, grain, and later for textiles and luxury products. The first version of the church was starting to be built during 1015 by proposal of Bishop Werner von Habsburg, but fire destroyed most of the original Romanesque building. The windows are devoted to nine Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. [17], The first cathedral built on the present site was erected by the bishop Saint Arbogast in about 550575. [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]. 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. [48] The bishopric of Strasbourg had been elevated to the rank of archbishopric a few months before, in June 1988. [60], As with all the other portals, several of the statues have been replaced by copies in situ and are today displayed in the Muse de l'uvre Notre-Dame.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 initial property, inscribed in 1988 on the World Heritage List, was formed by the Grande-le, the historic centre of Strasbourg, structured around the cathedral. The first version of the church was starting to be built during 1015 by proposal of Bishop Werner von Habsburg, but fire destroyed most of . Portal of Saint Lawrence (North transept). [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. [18]. [86], Life of the Virgin Mary tapestry - "The Nativity" (163857), The cathedral has a particularly fine group of fourteen tapestries depicting the life of the Virgin Mary. 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 [18], The next major step was the reconstruction of the nave into the Gothic style, which took place between 1240 and 1274. 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. [39][37] Following the war, Klotz took German nationality so he could continue his work. [25] The three men completed the bell tower over the central part of the faade, in a design that moved away from Gerlach von Steinbach's initial idea of a central tower and whose precise authorship is unknown. [86], Original wimperg of the faade in the Muse de l'uvre Notre-Dame, Original statues of the Tempter, the foolish Virgins and the wise Virgins from the right faade portal, Bust (ca. One of the oldest surviving architectural drawings of the cathedral. Remains of the choir screen are displayed in the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame and in The Cloisters. Notre Dame de Strasbourg Cathedral. Let's find out the people who live in Strasbourg. Its also the capital of the Bas-Rhin department. [40], In 1903, the architect Johann Knauth discovered cracks on the first pillar of the northern side of the nave. If you love heritage, culture and the art of living, there's no doubt that you'll fall in love with this city! After the French defeat, Alsace was ceded to the new German Empire until 1918. [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. #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. two bells are from 1987 and 2006. The tower was saved, however, when in May of the same year citizens of Strasbourg crowned it with a giant tin Phrygian cap of the kind the Enrags themselves wore. [82] Other parts of the vaults are upheld by Atlantes, supports in the form of human figures. The first astronomical clock was installed in the cathedral from 135254 until 1500. All the parts of the clock together are 18m (59ft) high. They were manufactured between 1638 and 1657 in Paris by Pierre Damour. The Gothic pillars of the new section were copied exactly from those of the Basilica of Saint Denis. These include some of the original statues from the portals and faade dating from the 13th century, including the statues of "The Church" and "The Synagogue" from the portal of the south transept. Archaeological excavations below and around the cathedral have been conducted in 1896-1897, 1907, 1923-1924, 1947-1948, between 1966 and 1972, and finally between 2012 and 2014.. [37] 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. Free shipping for many products! 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! 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. [80], The north transept connects with the Chapel of Saint John, entered through a pointed Gothic arch containing a rounded Romanesque arch. The construction of the Strasbourg Cathedral, we know today, thereafter started and it took quite a bit of time to finish. Under the balustrade is a large painting on wood illustrating the Nativity, in a sweeping landscape. The new plan was inspired in part by French cathedrals, particularly the Basilica of Saint-Urbain of Troyes. The chapel contains the tomb of Bishop Conrad de Lichtenberg, made between 1310 and 1320, and now framed by flamboyant tripe arch. 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. It was completed in 1399 and highlight of the cathedral was its 142-metre spire. This unique architectural style of the cathedral makes it all the more beautiful. The first cathedral was built on top of this temple and was completed in the 7th century, but nothing of these structures remains today. On the south side, the upper windows depict soldiers, popes, bishops, and other masculine figures. [67] It is surrounded and supported by four more slender towers containing circular stairways. Strasbourg Cathedral is a beautiful Gothic cathedral in the city of Strasbourg, France. It lies on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the German city of Kehl . The meeting points between the columns and the vault ribs is decorated with vegetal sculpture. The cathedral in Strasbourg is widely known as one of the most beautiful gothic cathedrals in whole Europe. The walls are pierced with narrow slits, like a medieval fortress, giving it a very military appearance. [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. 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]. Its therefore considered to be one of the 4 capitals of Europe along with Brussels, Luxembourg City, and Frankfurt. 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. 1. The church marked a historic moment in architecture, 11. In 1682, the choir screen (built in 1252) was broken out to expand the choir towards the nave. It is the third clock on that spot and dates from th. [8], The nave is dominated by the two rows of massive pillars. The cathedral was eventually surpassed in height by the St. Nikolai Church in Hamburg, Germany. Work on the church was frequently interrupted by wars and political crises. Kids Encyclopedia Facts. [45] During that same war, the stained glass was removed in 74 cases. Every day at solar noon, Christ and the Apostles go on a procession and the rooster is integrated into the clock crows thrice. 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. Strasbourg is, indeed, in France. 1. 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. 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. Strasbourg's 11th-15th-century Cathedral of Notre-Dame, damaged in 1870 and again in World War II, has been carefully restored. [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 tower is one of the first to rely substantially on craftsmanship, with the final appearance being one with a high degree of linearity captured in stone. Today, about 275,000 people live there (with around 780,000 in the metropolitan area ). 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. This was then carried out in the south transept. A pointed arch, a tribune for singers, and a balustrade were added in the 15th century. 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 visual effect of the faade is enhanced by its unusual darkish red stone. In 1877, architect Gustave Klotz reconstituted the windows in their original arrangement. During the French Revolution in the late 18th century, churches in France were in great danger. Strasbourg is located close to the border of Germany. 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. Bishop Heinrich I von Hasenburg (1181 March 25, 1190) decided to construct a new cathedral, to be more beautiful than that of Basel Munster, which was just being finished. The cathedral was built in Gothic style. Each holds a sceptre in his right hand and an orb in the left hand, symbols of their responsibility as both sovereigns and religious figures. The vaults are supported by a circular pillar with modest decorative stone rings. The northern transept is decorated with the Emperor Windows, also referred to as the Kaiserfenster.. Outside, the facade is the greatest "book" of images the Middle Ages has to offer. The construction, and later maintenance, of the cathedral is supervised by the Fondation de l'uvre Notre-Dame ("Foundation of Our Lady") since at least 1224. 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 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. 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". [34] The main or high altar, a major work of early Renaissance sculpture, was also demolished that year. [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. Bayeux Tapestry. [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. [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. The reddish-brown sandstone from the Vosges mountains gives the cathedral its distinctive colour.[8]. It measures 142 m (466 ft) and remained the tallest building in the world until 1847. 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. Cathedral facts for kids. The original construction of the church on its current location started in the year 1015. [52], The cathedral has three portals, corresponding to the three vessels of the nave. HayleesSilver From shop HayleesSilver. Free shipping for many products! Different characters, representing the ages of life (from a child to an old man) parade in front of Death. In 1918 Alsace and Strasbourg and Alscace were once again attached to France. The sculptor Jacques Zimmer added the heads of cherubs made of bronze. Full description. 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 . Parcours "The Cathedral of Strasbourg" Streetcar line: Ligne A, D-Arrt : Langstross Grand'Rue. The pillar was created in the middle of the 13th century, most probably by a group of sculptors from France or Burgundy. The European capital and the capital of Alsace, Strasbourg exudes youthfulness and energy. It was the tallest building in the world for a period of 227 years, 6. Because of this amazing trick, the spire was saved! Several of the original Romanesque structures were torn down to make way for this revolutionary new architectural style. [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. The Palais Rohan (Rohan Palace) in Strasbourg is the former residence of the prince-bishops and cardinals of the House of Rohan, an ancient French Noble family originally from Brittany.. pictures from Axis Mundi Design. 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. The portal outside the northern transept is equally fascinating, 10. While the spire is the most prominent feature, the western faade is the most impressive element of the cathedrals design. The original Romanesque cathedral burned down in the year 1176 and the construction of the modern-day cathedral started shortly after this disaster. A trick saved the cathedrals spire during the French Revolution, 13. 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. Figures of two reclining women hold a cadran (clock face) between them which tells the minutes. Walk through history on a guided walking tour of the Strasbourg Cathedral. 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. It weighs 7.5 tons and 2.2 meters in diameter, and was cast in 1447 by Hans Gremp. 300 years actually, give or take a few decade! One of the most fascinating churches in the world can be found in the east of France. 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 wicked attempt, without success, to seduce the noble Virgins, but succeed with the foolish virgins. 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. One of the most incredible facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that its spire was saved because the citizens of Strasbourg dressed the spire of the church with a huge tin Phrygian cap, the exact type of cap worn by the Enrags at the time. This is a real masterpiece of high Gothic. The sacristy occupies the upper level over the chapel. Today it is the sixth-tallest church in the world and the highest still standing extant structure built entirely in the Middle Ages. 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. Add to Favorites . Strasbourg is the second most popular tourist city in France, after Paris; and there are three main attractions. [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. Lets take a closer look at some of the most interesting facts about Strasbourg Cathedral. Recent Boards {{ board.name }} {{ board.total_asset_count }} View all Boards View all Sets CREATE BOARD. The belltower is 142 m high. 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 columns are lavishly decorated with sculpted foliage. Strasbourg Cathedral is over one thousand years old. 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. In height to the vaults it is 32.616 metres (107.01ft). The belltower is 142 m high. [16], A Roman settlement called Argentoratum, twenty hectares in size, existed on the site since about 12 B.C., at a strategic point where bridges crossed the Rhine and two of its tributaries. The new building, with its wooden roof beams, was unfortunately prone to fire; it suffered from fires in 1136, 1140,1150, and 1176. 1500 and 1682), but many treasures remain inside the building; others, or fragments of them, being displayed in the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame. 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. The tympanum was destroyed in the French Revolution and replaced by a work by the sculptor Jean Vallastre[fr] (17651833). The guard's house, located in the spot planned for the second spire, reflects a rich history going back to the 16th century. Here are the best facts about Strasbourg Cathedral 1. The cathedral is known for its ornate architecture and is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Europe. 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. Bengel, Sabine; Nohlen, Marie-Jos; Potier, Stphane: This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 19:21. 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. Construction finished in 1439 with the erection of the emblematic North tower. The exterior height of the central nave reaches an astounding 40 meters (130 feet) as well. Thanks to 3D reconstructions of. In 1505, architect Jakob von Landshut and sculptor Hans von Aachen finished rebuilding the Saint-Lawrence portal (Portail Saint-Laurent) outside the northern transept in a markedly post-Gothic, early-Renaissance style. [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. The sculpture of the portals was returned to its places or restored between 1811 and 1827. A round, Baroque sacristy of modest proportions was added north-east of the northern transept in 1744 by the city's chief architect Joseph Massol according to plans by Robert de Cotte and between 1772 and 1778 architect Jean-Laurent Goetz surrounded the cathedral by a gallery in early Gothic Revival style in order to reorganise the merchants' shops that used to settle around the building (and would do so until 1843). [84], The stained glass window in the axis of the apse depicts the Virgin of Alscace. In 1518, a 'dancing plague' affected around 400 people in Strasbourg, Alsace (Now a city of France . 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? It is really beautiful and imposing! In the south transept, the lancet and oculus windows in the two large bays on the east, built in 12201227, are modelled after those in the lower choir of Chartres Cathedral. These include an old bell made by Jean Rosier and Cesar Bonbon (1691). [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. One of the architects was Erwin von Steinbach. On the south side of the nave, the upper walls have windows depicting female saints, including local saints from Alsace or Strasbourg. 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. 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. The cathedral has a length of 112 meters (367 feet) and a width of 16 meters (52 feet). 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. 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. This massive faade was decorated with thousands of figures giving it a unique and magnificent impression! On the last level are the Apostles, passing in front of Christ. The Cathedral stands on the exact site of a roman temple built on a little hill above the muddy ground. The crossing dome is placed over the meeting point of the transept and the choir, and, like the bell tower, has eight sides. As with so many other European Gothic churches, Strasbourg Cathedral was constructed on the ruins of its Romanesque predecessor. Plans to rebuild and restore the Notre Dame Cathedral are underway, with donations pouring in from all over. 15 Fabulous Facts About Luxembourg Palace, A-Z Index - Art Timeline - Architecture Timeline - Contact - Terms - Privacy Policy - About Art Facts, 1. [18], The new church was exceptionally large, just ten meters shorter than the present cathedral, and just ten meters narrower on its west front. It dates to the end of the 15th century. They feature a Tree of Jesse (The Genealogy of Christ) and the judgement of Solomon (right window) and the Virgin Mary with John the Baptist and John the Evangelist) as well as King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba and King David on the left.

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