It is the seat of a Bishop. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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). [84], Canon Conrad de Bussnang praying to Virgin and Child. 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. Previous buildings on the site Under the balustrade is a large painting on wood illustrating the Nativity, in a sweeping landscape. Strasbourg Cathedral is a beautiful Gothic cathedral in the city of Strasbourg, France. This part of the clock is surrounded by painted figures representing the ancient empires Greece, Assyria, Persia, and Rome. The northern transept is decorated with the Emperor Windows, also referred to as the Kaiserfenster.. [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. "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. This is also true for Ecclesia and Synagoga, arguably the most famous statues of the cathedral, if not of Strasbourg. The South Transept contains the Pillar of Angels, a massive supporting pillar for the ceiling. Above this are two levels of animated mechanical figures, above that a figure of Christ and the four Evangelists, under a dome formed by crossed arches. It is still in place.[86]. [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. Drawing A, circa 1260. [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. 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". [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. 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. Apart from that, he is also standing just outside of the Cathedral near the southern transept of the church. The very beautiful stained glass windows date from the fourteenth century and is mostly a work by John Kircheim. Every day at solar noon, Christ and the Apostles go on a procession and the rooster is integrated into the clock crows thrice. The cathedral in Strasbourg is widely known as one of the most beautiful gothic cathedrals in whole Europe. [39][37] Following the war, Klotz took German nationality so he could continue his work. 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. It was rebuilt 1298, in 13241327, in 1384, 1430, and 1489 and finally in 1716 by Andr Silbermann. The vaults are supported by a circular pillar with modest decorative stone rings. The chair of Bishop Broughton, first Anglican Bishop of Sydney, Australia. The first stone was placed on May 25, 1277, by Bishop Conrad of Lichtenberg. 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. 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. A bas-relief of an abstracted Gothic cathedral will emerge on the . 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. The cathedral has a length of 112 meters (367 feet) and a width of 16 meters (52 feet). They were purchased by the Chapter of Strasbourg Cathedral in 1739, and were an example of the importation of the French style of that period into Alsace. One of the oldest gothic cathedrals in France and the world, along with the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Lets take a closer look at some of the most interesting facts about Strasbourg Cathedral. [23] He completed the installation of the rose window, and above it twelve statues of the apostles. On the bottom, figures of the Four Seasons surround a mechanical astrolabe, which indicates the location of the planets according to Copernicus, and is surrounded by the signs of the zodiac. A gallery of statues of the Apostles, each in his own arch, is placed above the rose window. 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 . Stavelot Triptych. 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 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. It dates to the end of the 15th century. 1500 and 1682), but many treasures remain inside the building; others, or fragments of them, being displayed in the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame. 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. 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 current cathedral wasnt the first building on the site, 4. 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. Strasbourg Cathedral or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg , also known as Strasbourg Minster, is a Catholic cathedral in Strasbourg, Alsace, France. During the French Revolution in the late 18th century, churches in France were in great danger. Further modifications were made to the crypts in the 12th century. The other vaults in the crossing were also intended to be painted, but funding was insufficient. This is a real masterpiece of high Gothic. On the south side of the nave, the upper walls have windows depicting female saints, including local saints from Alsace or Strasbourg. 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. [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 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. [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. One of the most fascinating facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that it took hundreds of years to complete. One of the most fascinating facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that it took hundreds of years to complete. 1. 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. They wear diadems and have flowers in their hair, and carry twigs of the tree of life, or fruit. Under the roof of the Klotz tower are the six bells that ring the weekly masses but also the baptisms, marriages and deaths of parishioners. 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. 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. 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 is easily recognizable by its pink sandstone faade and its unique tower. 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. [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. 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). 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. Under Charlemagne, the Bishop Remi consecrated the altar and built a funeral crypt in about 778. The original Romanesque crypt was kept and expanded westwards. Is Strasbourg in Germany or France? The rose windows of the west transept facade were made between 1230 and 1235, Above the rose are smaller round oculi from the same period, depicting Biblical symbols; the Alpha and Omega, the Candelabra of the Ancient Alliance, and others which combine floral and geometric designs. The original statue-columns of the Apostles from the 1220s which supported the tympanum were smashed in 1793 during the French Revolution. 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. The cathedral was built in Gothic style. It was decorated with paintings by the Swiss painter Tobias Stimmer. Formerly the floor of the crossing was filled with tombs of notable religious figures, but they were moved in later reconstructions. [18], The next major step was the reconstruction of the nave into the Gothic style, which took place between 1240 and 1274. ABOUT Strasbourg Cathedral: discover the Gothic masterpiece! The cathedral has a rich history, dating back to the . 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. These windows consist of 5 sets and depict 19 Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. The length of the cathedral is about 100 metres, with the main aisle of 38 metres. A cathedral is a large Christian church. 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. [8], Animated mechanical figure of Samson and a lion. It has an asymmetrical facade (mainly 13th century) with fine . The Strasbourg astronomical clock is located in the Cathdrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg, Alsace, France. The cathedral was eventually surpassed in height by the St. Nikolai Church in Hamburg, Germany. Add to Favorites . Download Strasbourg Cathedral stock photos. Strasbourg is, indeed, in France. A pointed arch frames the window, and a row of blind arches at the lower level completes the decoration. [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. [62][63][64][65][66], The eight-sided tower is three times higher than wide, more elongated than other Gothic towers of the 14th century. 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. 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? 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. Like the city of Strasbourg, the cathedral connects German and French cultural influences, while the eastern structures, e.g. 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. 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 guard's house, located in the spot planned for the second spire, reflects a rich history going back to the 16th century. The exterior height of the central nave reaches an astounding 40 meters (130 feet) as well. Its considered to be the epitome of French Gothic architecture, 5. [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. [56], Lintel decoration Mary ascends to Heaven, Ecclesia and Synagoga among other statues from the cathedral in the Muse de l'uvre Notre-Dame, The south portal, or Portal of the Virgin, dates to about the 1220s, the same time as the Pillar of the Angels and the Astronomic clock in the interior. Strasbourg Cathedral is over 1,000 years old Officially named "Notre-Dame de Strasbourg" ("Our Lady of Strasbourg"), the Cathedral was built in a Gothic style, and is still to this day a "light and delicate marvel", as Victor Hugo called it. When the nave was rebuilt in Gothic style in the 13th century, the old windows were reinstalled in random locations. Most of these windows date back to the 12th and 13th centuries! The main architect and the man credited with most of the cathedrals design was Erwin von Steinbach (1244-1318), a German architect. Let's find out the people who live in Strasbourg. Portal of Saint Lawrence (North transept). Bishop Heinrich von Hasenburg was the leading figure behind the start of the construction of the church and he had one goal, to make it more amazing than the newly finished cathedral of Basel. It was the tallest building in the world for a period of 227 years, 6. 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. 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. Several of the original Romanesque structures were torn down to make way for this revolutionary new architectural style. Kids Encyclopedia Facts. The columns are lavishly decorated with sculpted foliage. The design is composed of a series of unfolded arches which rest on a submerged "Latin Cross" floor plan. [85], Statue of Virgin and a processional banner, in the Chapel of St. Andrew, The Chapel of Saint Andrew is on the southeast side, to the right of the apse. the choir and south portal, still have very Romanesque features, with more emphasis placed on walls than on windows. 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. The cupola itself rests upon four squinches, a base made of rounded arches, which make the connection between the Gothic and Romanesque elements. 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. 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. Described by Victor Hugo as a "gigantic and delicate marvel",[7] and by Goethe as a "sublimely towering, wide-spreading tree of God",[2] the cathedral is visible far across the plains of Alsace and can be seen from as far off as the Vosges Mountains or the Black Forest on the other side of the Rhine. He reconstructed the dome over the transept in a grander, Romanesque Revival style. The cathedral can be seen from over 30 kilometers (20 miles) away from all sides on a clear day. 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. [41][42], During World War II, the cathedral was seen as a symbol for both warring parties. 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. The Chapel of John the Baptist preserves its thick Romanesque walls and two Romanesque windows. A door opens from the chapel to an adjoining cloister behind the cathedral. This massive faade was decorated with thousands of figures giving it a unique and magnificent impression! The original Romanesque cathedral burned down in the year 1176 and the construction of the modern-day cathedral started shortly after this disaster. 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 . [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 original construction of the church on its current location started in the year 1015. 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. Other In 1682, the choir screen (built in 1252) was broken out to expand the choir towards the nave. Outside, the facade is the greatest "book" of images the Middle Ages has to offer. History. A pointed arch, a tribune for singers, and a balustrade were added in the 15th century. The genuinely Romanesque chevet can only be seen from the courtyard of the adjacent complex of 18th-century buildings.