By plane 15 minutes from Strasbourg Airport. [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. two bells are from 1987 and 2006. 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. 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 meeting points between the columns and the vault ribs is decorated with vegetal sculpture. Many of his writings have not ever been translated. The original Romanesque cathedral burned down in the year 1176 and the construction of the modern-day cathedral started shortly after this disaster. With its spire soaring 142m above the city, Our Lady of Strasbourg Cathedral was the highest building in the West until the nineteenth century. If you enjoyed this video, make sure to subscribe to our channel. 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. Work on the church was frequently interrupted by wars and political crises. 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. After trying several temporary measures, in 1915, during the First World War, he launched a large-scale project to replace the entire foundation of the cathedral with concrete. Above this is a globe, with painted figures of the Church and the Antichrist confronting each other. 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.. [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. Stavelot Triptych. Free or royalty-free photos and images. [84], The stained glass window in the axis of the apse depicts the Virgin of Alscace. It is also a very early part of the cathedral, built shortly after 1150, with nine crossings and three naves of slightly different sizes, covered by Romanesque groin vaults. Between 1200 and 1228, the Romanesque vaults of the north transept were replaced by the pointed Gothic rib vault, which were stronger and shifted the thrust of the weight outwards, reducing the need for massive pillars in the interior. This enormous bell was installed but cracked shortly afterwards. [45] During that same war, the stained glass was removed in 74 cases. Christianity was first imposed in 313 by the Edict of Constantine. [8], The nave is dominated by the two rows of massive pillars. [82] Other parts of the vaults are upheld by Atlantes, supports in the form of human figures. One of the oldest surviving architectural drawings of the cathedral. The cathedral has a length of 112 meters (367 feet) and a width of 16 meters (52 feet). They were manufactured between 1638 and 1657 in Paris by Pierre Damour. The chapel contains the tomb of Bishop Conrad de Lichtenberg, made between 1310 and 1320, and now framed by flamboyant tripe arch. The northern transept is decorated with the Emperor Windows, also referred to as the Kaiserfenster.. 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. Free shipping for many products! 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. The very beautiful stained glass windows date from the fourteenth century and is mostly a work by John Kircheim. The European capital and the capital of Alsace, Strasbourg exudes youthfulness and energy. From the platform of Strasbourg Cathedral, 66 meters above the ground, discover a striking panorama of the city in 1490 to the west, and in 1730 to the east. 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? The cathedral was eventually surpassed in height by the St. Nikolai Church in Hamburg, Germany. 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. 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. [61], Lower portion of octagonal tower and spire, The octagonal tower and spire (remote view), The cathedral was originally intended to have two towers on the west front, but only the north one was built. Back in the day that Strasbourg was referred to as Argentoratum by the Ancient Romans, the site was already occupied by a Roman sanctuary. Add to Favorites . 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. The new building, with its wooden roof beams, was unfortunately prone to fire; it suffered from fires in 1136, 1140,1150, and 1176. A trick saved the cathedrals spire during the French Revolution, 13. It lies on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the German city of Kehl . A bas-relief of an abstracted Gothic cathedral will emerge on the . Portal of Saint Lawrence (North transept). [80], The north transept connects with the Chapel of Saint John, entered through a pointed Gothic arch containing a rounded Romanesque arch. Behind him is the portal of Saint Laurent. [17] The first recorded bishop, Amand, participated in the Councils of Cologne and Sardique in 346 and 347. The 142 m high spire looks incredibly lightweight and made the Cathedral the highest edifice in all Christianity until the 19th century. 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. It looks over the former cloister of the canons of the cathedral. 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 is, however, nothing compared to the height of the spire, which reaches a total height of 142 meters (466 feet) above the ground. [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. A gallery of statues of the Apostles, each in his own arch, is placed above the rose window. The Bishop appealed to the new Emperor, who granted one eighth of his revenues in the province toward the construction of a new Cathedral. [18], The new church was exceptionally large, just ten meters shorter than the present cathedral, and just ten meters narrower on its west front. Its considered to be the epitome of French Gothic architecture, 5. 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. "[36], The cathedral was not returned to church control until July 15, 1801, along with confiscated property that had not been destroyed. Pl. [38], Seven church bells were removed and melted down to made into cannon, and gold and other precious objects in the interior confiscated and taken away, and in November 1793 the cathedral was formally proclaimed a "Temple of Reason. The cathedral in Strasbourg is widely known as one of the most beautiful gothic cathedrals in whole Europe. It's the most. [34] The main or high altar, a major work of early Renaissance sculpture, was also demolished that year. 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. 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 . One of the oldest gothic cathedrals in France and the world, along with the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Most of these windows date back to the 12th and 13th centuries! [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. Theres a reason why the church has an asymmetrical form, 12. The central decoration is sculptural work dedicated to the Virgin Mary donated by the de Barby brothers in 1521. 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. The faade is supported and divided vertically by four narrow buttresses, each decorated with sculpture. In 1015, bishop Werner laid the first stone of a new cathedral on the foundations of the Carolingian church. The tracery and decoration of the interior are very much like of that exterior, with blind galleries and delicate parallel vertical lines, like the strings of a harp. The reddish-brown sandstone from the Vosges mountains gives the cathedral its distinctive colour.[8]. At 142 metres (466 feet), Strasbourg Cathedral was the world's tallest building from 1647 to 1874 (227 years), when it was surpassed by St. Nikolai's Church, Hamburg. It was called the Dreiknigsuhr ("three-king clock"), and was located at the opposite wall from where today's clock is. Formerly the floor of the crossing was filled with tombs of notable religious figures, but they were moved in later reconstructions. The portal outside the northern transept is equally fascinating, 10. The original construction phase utilized the Romanesque architectural style. 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. Construction of the original, on the exact site of a Roman temple, was initiated in 1015 but later destroyed by a fire. 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. It became a major trading center for wine, grain, and later for textiles and luxury products. The choir was given its multicolour painted decoration, by douard Steinl and Charles Auguste Steinheil, finished in 1879. Its the capital of the Grand Est region of France in the historic region of Alsace. Strasbourg (UK: / s t r z b r /, US: / s t r s b r , s t r z-,-b r /, French: (); German: Straburg [tasbk] (); Bas Rhin Alsatian: Strossburi [dsbui] (), Haut Rhin Alsatian: Strossburig [dsbui] ()) is the prefecture and largest city of the Grand Est region of eastern France and the official seat of the . Strasbourg is the seat Council of Europe, of the European Court of Human Rights and of the European Parliament. Strasbourg's 11th-15th-century Cathedral of Notre-Dame, damaged in 1870 and again in World War II, has been carefully restored. Marvel at the oldest Gothic cathedral of Europe with your local tour guide. Cathdrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg Address Pl. the choir and south portal, still have very Romanesque features, with more emphasis placed on walls than on windows. The statue of the "Synagogue" is blindfolded, since Jews did not recognise the divinity of Christ. 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. The small circular windows above the Emperors depict scenes from the life of Christ.[73]. Built of red Vosges sandstone, it is a harmonious edifice despite the variety of its architectural styles. [83] The present clock was built by Jean-Baptiste Schwilgu between 1837 and 1842.[83]. It dates to the end of the 15th century. One angel sounds the bell while a second turns over an hourglass. The belltower is 142 m high. In 1372 the work was taken over a master Conrad, also known as Kuntze, about whom little is known, until 1382. It was electrified after 1807, and was restored and modified several times, most recently in 193435 and in 197581, giving it the current forty-seven jeux.[76]. 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. 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. At the same time, the planned two spires on either side of the facade would reach an extraordinary height of 122 meters. The Gothic pillars of the new section were copied exactly from those of the Basilica of Saint Denis. They were constructed around its nave in the 12th century to lend support to the thin walls, after the need. Until today, the church remains the 6th-tallest church in the world and is the most prominent landmark in Strasbourg. 300 years actually, give or take a few decade! A retrouver dans la galerie. 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. On the last level are the Apostles, passing in front of Christ. Since it was built, the platform has been a popular tourist attraction, and, until recently, a strategic fire lookout. In 1905 he began taking measures to consolidate and strengthen the north side of the west facade, which supports the spire. 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. In 2015, the city has celebrated the millennial anniversary of its cathedral. It was the highest building in the world from 1647 to 1874. 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. The belltower is 142 m high. In 1518, a 'dancing plague' affected around 400 people in Strasbourg, Alsace (Now a city of France . 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. The Steinbachs's plans for the completion of the cathedral were not followed through by the chief architects who took over after them, and instead of the originally envisioned two spires, a single, octagonal tower with an elongated, octagonal crowning was built on the northern side of the west facade by master Ulrich von Ensingen and his successor, Johannes Hltz. The painted figures on the wall represent fathers of the church and founders of religious orders, depicted in Byzantine style. Full description. In height to the vaults it is 32.616 metres (107.01ft). [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. [17], The first cathedral built on the present site was erected by the bishop Saint Arbogast in about 550575. 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 cathedral is illuminated by one of the most remarkable collections of stained-glassed windows in the world. 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. 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. All the parts of the clock together are 18m (59ft) high. In 1524, the city council assigned the cathedral to the Protestant faith, while the building suffered some damage from iconoclastic assaults. 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. 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. Previous buildings on the site 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. Strasbourg Cathedral in France is famous for its western facade. The Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg is the landmark of the city and known in the whole world. Each pillar bundles sixteen smaller columns, of which five reach upward to support the vaults overhead. Strasbourg is the second most popular tourist city in France, after Paris; and there are three main attractions. The first cathedral was built on top of this temple and was completed in the 7th century, but nothing of these structures remains today. The rose window, with a rayonnant Gothic design, is fourteen metres in diameter and was finished in 1345. [53], Unlike the sculpture of earlier cathedrals, the Strasbourg statues clearly show emotions; the prophets look severe, the Virgins appear serene, the Virtues look noble, and the frivolous Virgins appear foolish. The columns are purely decorative, and are so thin they are compared to the strings of a harp. [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". The larger crypt has three naves, of equal size, divided by slender columns. 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. Media in category "Strasbourg Cathedral organ" The following 102 files are in this category, out of 102 total. (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. Different characters, representing the ages of life (from a child to an old man) parade in front of Death. 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 . Top 10 Little Known Facts about Palais Rohan. This faade has been credited to Erwin von Steinback and is considered to be an absolute masterpiece of the Gothic Era. 9. It is the least decorated side of the cathedral. Notre Dame de Strasbourg Cathedral. [84], Canon Conrad de Bussnang praying to Virgin and Child. ABOUT Strasbourg Cathedral: discover the Gothic masterpiece! Select from premium Strasbourg Strasbourg Cathedral of the highest quality. The construction of the cathedral, which had started in the year 1015 and had been relaunched in 1190, was finished in 1439.[6]. Even though the cathedral was eventually surpassed in height by the St. Nikolai Church in Hamburg, Germany, it still holds the record of being the tallest church in the world that was completely constructed during the Middle Ages. One of the most amazing facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that an addition was made in the early 16th century in the post-Gothic, early-Renaissance style, as well. The ornate and colourful decoration of pinnacle, spires, and sculpture Sculpture also hangs beneath the organ, including a moving figure of Samson opening the jaws of a lion. The arched tympanum over the doors of the central portal is crowded with sculpture, as are the voussures, the stone arches around the door. The second wave of construction started in the 12th century, when the Gothic style of architecture had started to develop. Built of red Vosges sandstone, it is a harmonious edifice despite the variety of its architectural styles. The extension concerns the Neustadt, new town, designed and built under the German administration (1871-1918). [71], Two chapels, devoted to Saint Andrew and Saint John the Baptist, were attached to the two sides of the apse. The original construction of the church on its current location started in the year 1015. Three high-spots make the visit unforgettable. [8], Animated mechanical figure of Samson and a lion. He in 1284 and developed a western facade, with a thousand sculptures and an elegant rosette window. Walk through history on a guided walking tour of the Strasbourg Cathedral. It is easily recognizable by its pink sandstone faade and its unique tower. The next major step toward Gothic took place with the raising of the vaults of the south transept, creating thinner walls and more space for high windows. It was the highest building in the world from 1647 to 1874. [79]. The cathedral can be seen from over 30 kilometers (20 miles) away from all sides on a clear day. [56], The mid-level of the transept over the portal, built in about 1230, has lancet windows and a statue of Virgin, flanked by Saint Peter and Saint Lawrence. Theres a statue of the main architect next to the cathedral, 8. The upper windows at Strasbourg fill the entire space between the triforium and the vaults. It is a major architectural, historical, and cultural landmark in the city. The Muse de l'uvre Notre-Dame, or Museum of the Work of Notre-Dame, is located in a medieval and Renaissance building not far from the cathedral, and displays a collection of some of the most delicate original works of sculpture and art from Cathedral, moved there to protect them from environmental damage. [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. [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. 1500 and 1682), but many treasures remain inside the building; others, or fragments of them, being displayed in the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame. Strasbourg and Cologne Cathedral together represent some of the earliest uses of architectural drawing. 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. The central art work of the North Transept is a large statue of Christ on the cross, over a sculptural landscape depicting the Mount of Olives, crowded with carved figures in dramatic poses. It houses one of the biggest astronomical clocks in the world, 15. 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. A sculpture of a head, wearing the hat of an architect or magistrate, gazes from the balustrade at the pillar of angels. This is also true for Ecclesia and Synagoga, arguably the most famous statues of the cathedral, if not of Strasbourg. 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]. Every day at solar noon, Christ and the Apostles go on a procession and the rooster is integrated into the clock crows thrice. The face is flanked by two cylindrical towers with narrow lancet windows and pointed roofs. 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. This unique architectural style of the cathedral makes it all the more beautiful. The outgoing 15th century was marked by the sermons of Johann Geiler von Kaisersberg and by the emerging Protestant Reformation, represented in Strasbourg by figures such as John Calvin, Martin Bucer and Jacob Sturm von Sturmeck. Overview Download history Purchase history Invoices Boards SIGN OUT. 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.
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