Because of this amazing trick, the spire was saved! 15 Fabulous Facts About Luxembourg Palace, A-Z Index - Art Timeline - Architecture Timeline - Contact - Terms - Privacy Policy - About Art Facts, 1. It was the tallest building of world for over 227 years. The upper windows of the nave depict eighty-four saints, added by various artists between 1250 and 1275. In 1877, architect Gustave Klotz reconstituted the windows in their original arrangement. It was rebuilt 1298, in 13241327, in 1384, 1430, and 1489 and finally in 1716 by Andr Silbermann. The Chapel of John the Baptist preserves its thick Romanesque walls and two Romanesque windows. 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. [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. The larger crypt has three naves, of equal size, divided by slender columns. Strasbourg Cathedral is over one thousand years old. 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 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. 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. The Cathedral stands on the exact site of a roman temple built on a little hill above the muddy ground. 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. 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. 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. It was hoisted up to its present position in 1327. These windows date to about 1345. The central decoration is sculptural work dedicated to the Virgin Mary donated by the de Barby brothers in 1521. With a height of 18 meters (59 feet), its one of the largest astrological clocks of its kind in the world! Kids Encyclopedia Facts. The roof was set afire and the cross at the top of the spire was bent by a German artillery shell. 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. The original construction of the church on its current location started in the year 1015. The Silbermann organ had three keyboards, thirty-nine jeux, or effects and two thousand, two hundred forty-two pipes. The pillar was created in the middle of the 13th century, most probably by a group of sculptors from France or Burgundy. In 1524, the city council assigned the cathedral to the Protestant faith, while the building suffered some damage from iconoclastic assaults. [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". Schedule: Monday to Saturday: 8:30 to 11:15 a.m. and 12:45 to 5:45 p.m. Sundays and feast days: 2 to 5:15 p.m. May be closed to visiting during services. A little-known treasure of Strasbourg, the gothic Eglise Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune was consecrated in 1053 by the Alsatian Pope Leo IX. The original statue-columns of the Apostles from the 1220s which supported the tympanum were smashed in 1793 during the French Revolution. 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. Type of place: Religious site. [36], A series of major reconstructions and restorations were carried out in the second of the century Gustave Klotz[fr] from 1837 to 1888. Its therefore considered to be one of the 4 capitals of Europe along with Brussels, Luxembourg City, and Frankfurt. [67], The Klotz designed crossing dome over the transept, The crossing dome being built, 1878 or 1879, Romanesque vaults beneath the Klotz crossing dome. 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. Portal of Saint Lawrence (North transept). Strasbourg Cathedral is the symbol of the city. The pulpit itself, in the form of a very ornate corbeille or basket, is entirely covered with colonettes, gables, pinnacles, and niches filled with sculpture, including images of Christ on the cross, a crowned Virgin Mary, Apostles, the Crucifixion, and well as Kings and doctors of the Church. It was completed in 1399 and highlight of the cathedral was its 142-metre spire. Strasbourg is the second most popular tourist city in France, after Paris; and there are three main attractions. [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. 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. Built of red Vosges sandstone, it is a harmonious edifice despite the variety of its architectural styles. [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. [23] He completed the installation of the rose window, and above it twelve statues of the apostles. 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. [69] The medieval crossing dome's aspect was altered several times over the centuries. The small circular windows above the Emperors depict scenes from the life of Christ.[73]. A door opens from the chapel to an adjoining cloister behind the cathedral. The sacristy occupies the upper level over the chapel. This mechanism displays the phases of the moon. A sculpture of a head, wearing the hat of an architect or magistrate, gazes from the balustrade at the pillar of angels. Today, about 275,000 people live there (with around 780,000 in the metropolitan area ). It dates to the end of the 15th century. (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. [17], The first cathedral built on the present site was erected by the bishop Saint Arbogast in about 550575. This included rebuilding the crypt and the addition of new stained-glass windows. It is the third clock on that spot and dates from th. [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. The grand organ, located high on the wall of the north side of the nave, is recorded as existing in 1260. [83] The present clock was built by Jean-Baptiste Schwilgu between 1837 and 1842.[83]. 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. 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. During the Franco-Prussian War of 187071, city was under siege. [51], The rose window and gallery of the Apostles, The west front or faade, the main entrance of the cathedral, is a relatively late addition, constructed between 1277 and 1490. As with so many other European Gothic churches, Strasbourg Cathedral was constructed on the ruins of its Romanesque predecessor. In 1905 he began taking measures to consolidate and strengthen the north side of the west facade, which supports the spire. 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. At Strasbourg it is 61.5 metres (202ft) long and 16 metres (52ft) wide, not counting the two collateral aisles, which are each 10.41 metres (34.2ft) wide. One of the coolest facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that you can get the best view of all on top of the cathedral itself! 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. Emperior Charles V visits the cathedral in 1552. "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. [39][37] Following the war, Klotz took German nationality so he could continue his work. They were constructed around its nave in the 12th century to lend support to the thin walls, after the need. The windows are devoted to nine Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. 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. The chair of Bishop Broughton, first Anglican Bishop of Sydney, Australia. [85], The cathedral has two Romanesque crypts, the oldest parts of the cathedral. The original Romanesque cathedral burned down in the year 1176 and the construction of the modern-day cathedral started shortly after this disaster. A little history about Notre-Dame de Strasbourg Strasbourg's cathedral is an emblematic monument of the city, built on a site that was occupied by an important Roman camp when the city was called Argentoratum, and which has hosted many places of worship over the centuries. 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. The most amazing feature of the cathedral is its west faade, 9. Free or royalty-free photos and images. The 142 m high spire looks incredibly lightweight and made the Cathedral the highest edifice in all Christianity until the 19th century. Other The cathedral is known for its ornate architecture and is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Europe. This was then carried out in the south transept. When the nave was rebuilt in Gothic style in the 13th century, the old windows were reinstalled in random locations. One of the oldest gothic cathedrals in France and the world, along with the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. .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. Construction of the new cathedral began on the foundations of the preceding structures. 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). If you enjoyed this video, make sure to subscribe to our channel. Notre Dame de Strasbourg Cathedral. Only those Christian denominations that have bishops have cathedrals. In the portal of the Last Judgement, (right) Christ sits on his throne sorting the virtuous from the wicked. Construction finished in 1439 with the erection of the emblematic North tower. The very beautiful stained glass windows date from the fourteenth century and is mostly a work by John Kircheim. 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 Gothic pillars of the new section were copied exactly from those of the Basilica of Saint Denis. The pilasters between the stairways are older, from 1015. There are three stairways down to the crypt, the oldest, from the apse, dates to about 1150. [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. The belltower is 142 m high. Built of red Vosges sandstone, it is a harmonious edifice despite the variety of its architectural styles. [54][55] It presents a virtual theater of late Gothic flamboyant architecture and decoration, including three interlocking arches over the doors, containing a statue of the Saint during his martyrdom. These windows consist of 5 sets and depict 19 Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. ABOUT Strasbourg Cathedral: discover the Gothic masterpiece! The four bells in the octagon tower are rung on the hour. 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. The work was completed in 1439. 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. SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER AND GET THE FREE EBOOK At the same time, the planned two spires on either side of the facade would reach an extraordinary height of 122 meters. 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. 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. Several of the original Romanesque structures were torn down to make way for this revolutionary new architectural style. Behind him is the portal of Saint Laurent. 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. [18], The new church was exceptionally large, just ten meters shorter than the present cathedral, and just ten meters narrower on its west front. The original statues were replaced by copies in the 20th century and are today kept in the Muse de l'uvre Notre-Dame. Let's find out the people who live in Strasbourg. Its the capital of the Grand Est region of France in the historic region of Alsace. Adolf Hitler, who visited it on 28 June 1940, intended to transform the church into a "national sanctuary of the German people",[43] or into a monument to the Unknown German Soldier. It was the tallest building in the world for a period of 227 years, 6. [18]. 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.. Decrees of the Emperor rendering justice were traditionally read out in front of this doorway. The cupola itself rests upon four squinches, a base made of rounded arches, which make the connection between the Gothic and Romanesque elements. In addition to being one of the finest examples of high Gothic architecture remaining today, Strasbourg Cathedral has a fascinating history spanning hundreds of years. [52], The cathedral has three portals, corresponding to the three vessels of the nave. 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). They were eventually returned and installed, along with numerous other works of art, by the specially created Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives section of the United States military. Outside, the facade is the greatest "book" of images the Middle Ages has to offer. Since it was built, the platform has been a popular tourist attraction, and, until recently, a strategic fire lookout. Strasbourg France Facts 1: the population. Other scenes are painted onto the reverse of the bas-reliefs. While previous faades were certainly drawn prior to construction, Strasbourg has one of the earliest faades whose construction is inconceivable without prior drawing. Built entirely in the Middle Ages, Strasbourg Cathedral was the tallest building in the world for more than 200 years. In 1956, the Council of Europe donated the famous choir window by Max Ingrand, the "Strasbourg Madonna" (see also Flag of Europe Biblical interpretation). STRASBOURG CATHEDRAL .925 Sterling Silver Charm Pendant Alsace France Europe Landmark Travel Souvenir New tf35 ad vertisement by HayleesSilver. 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. Between the lower tower and spire there is a balustrade, almost hidden by pinnacles and other architectural decoration. The cathedral was built in Gothic style. [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. In 1372 the work was taken over a master Conrad, also known as Kuntze, about whom little is known, until 1382. 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. Strasbourg Cathedral or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg , also known as Strasbourg Minster, is a Catholic cathedral in Strasbourg, Alsace, France. Klotz's dome was in turn heavily damaged by bombing raids during World War II, and restored between 1988 and 1992. The chapel is devoted to memorials to six canons who were entombed there between 1478 and 1681. This embroidered cloth has a length of about 70 meters (230 feet) and a height of 50 centimeters (20 inches). Cathedral. [30], Notre Dame of Strasbourg turned into a Temple of Reason during the French Revolution, Strasbourg cathedral in 1837 with an optical telegraph, Strasbourg and the cathedral in 1869 (photo by Charles David Winter[fr]), Following the outbreak of the French Revolution, on 2 November 1789, all church property was seized by the French state and was soon vandalised by the most ardent revolutionaries, the Enrags. When the Romans were driven out, the original structure was replaced by a temple dedicated to the Virgin Mary. 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. 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! Strasbourg Cathedral (official French: Notre-Dame de Strasbourg ,German: Liebfrauenmnster zu Straburg, Our Lady of Strasbourg) is the Cathedral in Strasbourg. [34] The main or high altar, a major work of early Renaissance sculpture, was also demolished that year. The painted figures on the wall represent fathers of the church and founders of religious orders, depicted in Byzantine style. [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. Under Charlemagne, the Bishop Remi consecrated the altar and built a funeral crypt in about 778. Here are the best facts about Strasbourg Cathedral 1. [35] Fragments can be seen in the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame. The South Transept contains the Pillar of Angels, a massive supporting pillar for the ceiling. A statue on the west side of the pillar represents a famed preacher contemporary with the cathedral; Johann Geiler von Kaysersberg (d. 1510); a small sculpture along the railing of the stairs depicts Geiler's dog, mourning his master on steps of the pulpit where he once preached. Work on the church was frequently interrupted by wars and political crises. Cathdrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg Address Pl. 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 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. 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. [40], In 1903, the architect Johann Knauth discovered cracks on the first pillar of the northern side of the nave. Take the time to marvel at the magnificent, amazing statuary inside and outside of this masterpiece of Gothic architecture. This faade has been credited to Erwin von Steinback and is considered to be an absolute masterpiece of the Gothic Era. 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. An even older bell, by Jean Jacques-Miller (1595), repeats the sounding of the hours one minute later. Is Strasbourg in Germany or France? "It is our history," French president Emmanuel Macron said after the fire. 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. The known dimensions of the building are as follows:[87]. 300 years actually, give or take a few decade! Parcours "The Cathedral of Strasbourg" Streetcar line: Ligne A, D-Arrt : Langstross Grand'Rue. Most of these windows date back to the 12th and 13th centuries! Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. One of the architects was Erwin von Steinbach. It's the most. Interior of the Strasbourg cathedral De kathedraal van Straatsburg (Cathdrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, Strassburger Mnster) behoort tot de grootste en beroemdste kathedralen van Frankrijk. They are covered with Romanesque groin vaults, formed by the intersection of rounded barrel vaults, and supported by massive cruciform pillars and cylindrical columns with palm leaf decoration on their capitals. [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 current cathedral wasnt the first building on the site, 4. The sculptor Jacques Zimmer added the heads of cherubs made of bronze. 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. the choir and south portal, still have very Romanesque features, with more emphasis placed on walls than on windows. 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. A gallery of statues of the Apostles, each in his own arch, is placed above the rose window. Repairs to war damage were completed only in the early 1990s. 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. Download Strasbourg Cathedral stock photos. One of the most fascinating churches in the world can be found in the east of France. Drawing A, circa 1260. Strasbourg is a city in eastern France, the prefecture of Grand Est. 1. [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. With its spire soaring 142m above the city, Our Lady of Strasbourg Cathedral was the highest building in the West until the nineteenth century. The face is flanked by two cylindrical towers with narrow lancet windows and pointed roofs. [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. 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. The other vaults in the crossing were also intended to be painted, but funding was insufficient. 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]. Theres a reason why the church has an asymmetrical form, 12. Fortunately for Strasbourg, the Romanesque church burnt down in 1176, and reconstruction dragged on sufficiently for the bishop to mostly use the newly . The construction of this church is a mixture of Roman and Gothic architecture. It is composed of an octagonal pillar surrounded by four engaged columns, which reach upwards to support the vaults, and four slender colonettes.