strasbourg cathedral facts

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. [40], In 1903, the architect Johann Knauth discovered cracks on the first pillar of the northern side of the nave. The Strasbourg Cathedral in France is known for its unique spire, because of it the cathedral was the highest monument in the world for more than two centuries! A balustrade crosses the face of the transept, and above is a wall of two bays filled with stained glass. Like the city of Strasbourg, the cathedral connects German and French cultural influences, while the eastern structures, e.g. After the spire of the St. Marys church in Stralsund burned down, it became the tallest building in the world, a record it would hold a total of 227 years between 1647 and 1874! Visit the Cathedral of Strasbourg - Guide to prepare your visit 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. Since it was built, the platform has been a popular tourist attraction, and, until recently, a strategic fire lookout. In 1956, the Council of Europe donated the famous choir window by Max Ingrand, the "Strasbourg Madonna" (see also Flag of Europe Biblical interpretation). The Strasbourg Christmas markets are located in old Strasbourg, which is located on an island in the middle of the city. This massive faade was decorated with thousands of figures giving it a unique and magnificent impression! 2,793 Strasbourg Strasbourg Cathedral Premium High Res Photos pictures from Axis Mundi Design. 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.. These include an old bell made by Jean Rosier and Cesar Bonbon (1691). Today, the city is one of the most important cities in Europe as its home to several European institutions, including the European Parliament. Most of these windows date back to the 12th and 13th centuries! [49], In 2000, an Al-Qaeda plot to bomb the adjacent Christmas market was prevented by French and German police. [18]. The wicked attempt, without success, to seduce the noble Virgins, but succeed with the foolish virgins. [70], The chevet, at the northeast end of the cathedral, close to the transept, has vestiges that go back to the Romanesque cathedral, particularly at the lower levels. 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 Cathedral: visitor information and guide - France This Way Construction of the new cathedral began on the foundations of the preceding structures. Portal of Saint Lawrence (North transept). 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. Strasbourg: Cathedral Guided Walking Tour | GetYourGuide 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). Outside, the facade is the greatest "book" of images the Middle Ages has to offer. Above this are blind arcades, an ornate cornice, and then a pointed roof with a pair of dormer or skylight windows, a small window above a large one, on each side, which brought light to the choir below. At the lower level are statues of the four Evangelists. They were manufactured between 1638 and 1657 in Paris by Pierre Damour. The guard's house, located in the spot planned for the second spire, reflects a rich history going back to the 16th century. The columns are lavishly decorated with sculpted foliage. The urban community is the residence for 467,375 people, while the city proper was occupied by 272,975 people based on the report in 2006. The 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. Drawing A, circa 1260. [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. Strasbourg Cathedral - Wikipedia 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. [68] Its base is topped by a gallery with pointed arches, beneath a level with large arched bays, two on each side, side, divided by clusters of columns. 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 original construction of the church on its current location started in the year 1015. 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. However, the official ownership of the structure was given, and belongs today, to the French state, and it is administered by the Mayor of Strasbourg. The nave and choir were composed of three vessels, each with two traverses. The cathedral in Strasbourg is widely known as one of the most beautiful gothic cathedrals in whole Europe. A pointed arch, a tribune for singers, and a balustrade were added in the 15th century. The church marked a historic moment in architecture, 11. The roof was set afire and the cross at the top of the spire was bent by a German artillery shell. The octagon tower was begun in 1399 by Ulrich von Ensingen (chief architect until 1419), and crowned with a spire by his successor Johannes Hltz. Strasbourg - Wikipedia Formerly the floor of the crossing was filled with tombs of notable religious figures, but they were moved in later reconstructions. A Romanesque portal opens to the cloister outside. [52], The cathedral has three portals, corresponding to the three vessels of the nave. A first Romanesque cathedral was built in the 11th century which later burnt to the ground. Lets take a closer look at some of the most interesting facts about Strasbourg Cathedral. It was completed in 1399 and highlight of the cathedral was its 142-metre spire. [67] It is surrounded and supported by four more slender towers containing circular stairways. the choir and south portal, still have very Romanesque features, with more emphasis placed on walls than on windows. 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. 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]. The cathedral is open from October to March from 10 a.m.. The current cathedral wasnt the first building on the site, 4. The rose window, with a rayonnant Gothic design, is fourteen metres in diameter and was finished in 1345. Gargoyles Of Notre Dame Cathedral | Story Behind Famous Statues It is easily recognizable by its pink sandstone faade and its unique tower. The Gothic pillars of the new section were copied exactly from those of the Basilica of Saint Denis. All the parts of the clock together are 18m (59ft) high. [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 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. 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. It is really beautiful and imposing! The choir was given its multicolour painted decoration, by douard Steinl and Charles Auguste Steinheil, finished in 1879. "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. The chair of Bishop Broughton, first Anglican Bishop of Sydney, Australia. [71], The narthex of the cathedral and massive pillars supporting the tower, seen from the central nave, Inside of west front doors, with blind rose window and column-statue of St. Peter. It was originally made in 1498 by Nicolas Roder for the cemetery of Saint-Thomas, and was based on engravings by Martin Schongauer and Albrecht Drer. [79], The Romanesque north transept has four traverses, which were the first in the cathedral to receive Gothic rib vaults. 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. In 1682, the choir screen (built in 1252) was broken out to expand the choir towards the nave. Add to Favorites . [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. The platform - Strasbourg - Office de tourisme de Strasbourg et sa Rgion The first traverses were made in what was known as the Lorraine style, with two levels of quadripartite windows, traversed by a narrow passageway. 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. This embroidered cloth has a length of about 70 meters (230 feet) and a height of 50 centimeters (20 inches). It is reached by a stairway with a curling sculpted design called "butterfly wings". Inside Strasbourg Cathedral: A Must-Visit in Strasbourg, France The cathedral is known for its ornate architecture and is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Europe. Built of red Vosges sandstone, it is a harmonious edifice despite the variety of its architectural styles. This project was completed in 1926, after the end of the war. HayleesSilver From shop HayleesSilver. 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 chapel is devoted to memorials to six canons who were entombed there between 1478 and 1681. Strasbourg Cathedral: A Visitor's Guide to this UNESCO Site - ViaTravelers 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. [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. [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. Some of the capitals also have sculpted monsters and lions on the corners. Recent Boards {{ board.name }} {{ board.total_asset_count }} View all Boards View all Sets CREATE BOARD. The Gothic style also appeared in the statuary, particularly the Pillar of the Angels, and in the tympanums over the double portals on the south transept, which showed the influence of the sculpture in French Gothic cathedrals. 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. 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. Here are the best facts about Strasbourg Cathedral 1. Three high-spots make the visit unforgettable. Top 10 Famous Romanesque Artworks - art-facts.com It looks over the former cloister of the canons of the cathedral. It is the seat of a Bishop. Today it is the sixth-tallest church in the world and the highest still standing extant structure built entirely in the Middle Ages. The cathedral was built in Gothic style. STRASBOURG CATHEDRAL .925 Sterling Silver Charm Pendant Alsace France Europe Landmark Travel Souvenir New tf35 ad vertisement by HayleesSilver. Climbing up to the Cathedral's platform and guard house is a thrilling experience. Under Charlemagne, the Bishop Remi consecrated the altar and built a funeral crypt in about 778. Further modifications were made to the crypts in the 12th century. You will surely enjoy exploring the vibrant . 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. At the same time, the planned two spires on either side of the facade would reach an extraordinary height of 122 meters. Built entirely in the Middle Ages, Strasbourg Cathedral was the tallest building in the world for more than 200 years. Strasbourg Cathedral While Goethe's poems on nature, romance, science and his great novel Faust have long been available to the English-speaking audience, his writings on art and literature, as in Essays, are less familiar. A pointed arch frames the window, and a row of blind arches at the lower level completes the decoration. With a height of 18 meters (59 feet), its one of the largest astrological clocks of its kind in the world! Pl. 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. [39][37] Following the war, Klotz took German nationality so he could continue his work. Other The original Romanesque cathedral burned down in the year 1176 and the construction of the modern-day cathedral started shortly after this disaster. Most of the stained-glass windows date back to the Middle Ages, 14. 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 magnificent cathedral is located in the city of Strasbourg in the eastern part of the country. Bayeux Tapestry. 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. While previous faades were certainly drawn prior to construction, Strasbourg has one of the earliest faades whose construction is inconceivable without prior drawing. The portal outside the northern transept is equally fascinating, 10. They are traditionally hung in the arcades of the nave during Advent. 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. Strasbourg Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Strasbourg, France. 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. It lies on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the German city of Kehl . Cathedrals can be found in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox . Strasbourg Cathedral in France is famous for its western facade. 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). Select from premium Strasbourg Strasbourg Cathedral of the highest quality. 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). And finally, here's my list of the top 4 packing essentials you shouldn't head to the Strasbourg Cathedral without. One of the most fascinating facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that it took hundreds of years to complete. [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. It was called the Dreiknigsuhr ("three-king clock"), and was located at the opposite wall from where today's clock is. Fortunately for Strasbourg, the Romanesque church burnt down in 1176, and reconstruction dragged on sufficiently for the bishop to mostly use the newly . Because of this amazing trick, the spire was saved! 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. Its also the capital of the Bas-Rhin department. This cathedral was then again replaced by a more prominent structure which consisted of three naves and three apses, and it was on the ruins of this Carolingian cathedral that the original modern-day cathedral was constructed in 1015. It also dates from the 15th century. It is the least decorated side of the cathedral. 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 upper windows of the nave depict eighty-four saints, added by various artists between 1250 and 1275. Many of his writings have not ever been translated. The faade is supported and divided vertically by four narrow buttresses, each decorated with sculpture. Plans to rebuild and restore the Notre Dame Cathedral are underway, with donations pouring in from all over. 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. The first cathedral was built on top of this temple and was completed in the 7th century, but nothing of these structures remains today. Strasbourg Cathedral in France: overview, description, history and [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. 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. It replaces the original window which was one of the few windows not put into safe storage before World War II; it was destroyed by Allied bombing in 1944. The work was completed in 1439. The crossing of the transept and the choir is topped by the central cupola or dome, which is supported by four gigantic pillars, each wrapped in eight columns, which reach up to support the vaults under the cupola. The Silbermann organ had three keyboards, thirty-nine jeux, or effects and two thousand, two hundred forty-two pipes. Strasbourg Cathedral is over one thousand years old. The upper windows at Strasbourg fill the entire space between the triforium and the vaults. It was built over a period of 424 years, 3. In 2010, the metropolitan area of Strasbourg is inhabited by 759,868 people. One can see 30 kilometers from the observation level, which provides a view of the Rhine banks from the Vosges all the way to the Black Forest. [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. From 1647 until 1874 it was the world's tallest building and today it is still the highest structure still standing that was built in the middle ages. But it hasn't always been. Strasbourg Facts for Kids | KidzSearch.com The first astronomical clock was installed in the cathedral from 135254 until 1500. Free shipping for many products! 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. Judgement of Solomon at Strasbourg Cathedral. The cathedral was built in Gothic style. 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. 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. 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 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. [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. One of the most fascinating facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that it took hundreds of years to complete. Strasbourg Cathedral or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg (French: Cathdrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, or Cathdrale de Strasbourg, German: Liebfrauenmnster zu Straburg or Straburger Mnster), also known as Strasbourg Minster, is a Catholic cathedral in Strasbourg, Alsace, France. 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 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. Strasbourg Cathedral: How to Visit & What to See - TripSavvy While the spire is the most prominent feature, the western faade is the most impressive element of the cathedrals design. The South Transept contains the Pillar of Angels, a massive supporting pillar for the ceiling. Goethe and the Strasbourg Cathedral - My French Quest The transept of the cathedral was 55 meters long, the same length as the nave and choir. Construction was resumed in 1571 by Conrad Dasypodius and the Habrecht brothers, and this clock was given a more ambitious program of mechanical figures. 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. Apart from that, he is also standing just outside of the Cathedral near the southern transept of the church. [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". Strasbourg is the seat Council of Europe, of the European Court of Human Rights and of the European Parliament. Ensingen worked on the cathedral from 1399 to 1419, taking over from Claus von Lohre, and Hltz from 1419 to 1439, completing the building at last. During the French Revolution in the late 18th century, churches in France were in great danger. 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. [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. 5,626 Strasbourg Cathedral Stock Photos - Dreamstime