two bells are from 1987 and 2006. This was changed and the French Gothic style or Rayonnant Gothic was used for most parts of the cathedral starting in the 13th century. 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. 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. 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. Construction began in 1015, and it was largely completed in 1432. The cupola itself rests upon four squinches, a base made of rounded arches, which make the connection between the Gothic and Romanesque elements. 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. It takes its reddish-brown color from the sandstone of the Vosges mountains. 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. ABOUT Strasbourg Cathedral: discover the Gothic masterpiece! 1500) by Nikolaus Hagenauer, probably from the former main altar of the cathedral, Parts of the original astronomical clock (Strasbourg Museum of Decorative Arts). 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 was completed in 1399 and highlight of the cathedral was its 142-metre spire. Strasbourg Cathedral 104 Results Strasbourg Alsace France Petite France Ill Waterfront Sticker By artshop77 From $1.40 DECEMBER Canvas Print By Tritri Choupi $84.50 Strasbourg Cathedral - France Sticker By Moritz Schwble From $2.61 Strasbourg Alsace France Petite France street scene Sticker By artshop77 From $1.40 strasbourg cathedral Sticker Above this level is a celestial globe in a sky of painted stars which makes a complete revolution every 23 hours, fifty-six minutes and four seconds. Other scenes are painted onto the reverse of the bas-reliefs. Theres a reason why the church has an asymmetrical form, 12. If you love heritage, culture and the art of living, there's no doubt that you'll fall in love with this city! [83], Animated characters launch into movement at different hours of the day. [41][42], During World War II, the cathedral was seen as a symbol for both warring parties. .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. It also dates from the 15th century. The first traverses were made in what was known as the Lorraine style, with two levels of quadripartite windows, traversed by a narrow passageway. In 1682, the choir screen (built in 1252) was broken out to expand the choir towards the nave. A large arched bay occupies the central portion, just below a balustrade. Repairs to war damage were completed only in the early 1990s. The main architect and the man credited with most of the cathedrals design was Erwin von Steinbach (1244-1318), a German architect. Strasbourg Cathedral still holds a remarkable record, 7. It is reached by a stairway with a curling sculpted design called "butterfly wings". Today, about 275,000 people live there (with around 780,000 in the metropolitan area ). Construction of the new cathedral began on the foundations of the preceding structures. 1500 and 1682), but many treasures remain inside the building; others, or fragments of them, being displayed in the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame. The genuinely Romanesque chevet can only be seen from the courtyard of the adjacent complex of 18th-century buildings. The capitals of the columns are decorated with dragons and other mythical creatures. 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. This is also true for Ecclesia and Synagoga, arguably the most famous statues of the cathedral, if not of Strasbourg. This clock functioned until 1788, and can be seen today in the Strasbourg Museum of Decorative Arts. [84], Canon Conrad de Bussnang praying to Virgin and Child. STRASBOURG CATHEDRAL .925 Sterling Silver Charm Pendant Alsace France Europe Landmark Travel Souvenir New tf35 ad vertisement by HayleesSilver. 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. The design called for a west front taller and wider than the nave behind it. The first stone was placed on May 25, 1277, by Bishop Conrad of Lichtenberg. It dates to the end of the 15th century. As the spire of the cathedral is dominating the Strasbourg skyline, one starts to wonder why the building has an asymmetrical form, giving the structure the appearance that something is missing. 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. [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. The upper windows of the nave depict eighty-four saints, added by various artists between 1250 and 1275. Since it was built, the platform has been a popular tourist attraction, and, until recently, a strategic fire lookout. [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. You will surely enjoy exploring the vibrant . [80], The north transept connects with the Chapel of Saint John, entered through a pointed Gothic arch containing a rounded Romanesque arch. [69] The medieval crossing dome's aspect was altered several times over the centuries. 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. It also preserves the earliest plans of the cathedral, as well as paintings and tapestries and other objects. [46] and stored in a salt mine near Heilbronn, Germany. The two rose windows above are later, from the 14th century, with vegetal designs. It is still in place.[86]. The chapel is devoted to memorials to six canons who were entombed there between 1478 and 1681. It was rebuilt 1298, in 13241327, in 1384, 1430, and 1489 and finally in 1716 by Andr Silbermann. The nave and choir were composed of three vessels, each with two traverses. Built of red Vosges sandstone, it is a harmonious edifice despite the variety of its architectural styles. It has an asymmetrical facade (mainly 13th century) with fine . The two lower lancet windows were put together in the 19th century out of glass from different centuries. It was the tallest building in the world for a period of 227 years, 6. [23] He completed the installation of the rose window, and above it twelve statues of the apostles. Cathedral. [48] The bishopric of Strasbourg had been elevated to the rank of archbishopric a few months before, in June 1988. The construction, and later maintenance, of the cathedral is supervised by the Fondation de l'uvre Notre-Dame ("Foundation of Our Lady") since at least 1224. The rose window, with a rayonnant Gothic design, is fourteen metres in diameter and was finished in 1345. Its therefore considered to be one of the 4 capitals of Europe along with Brussels, Luxembourg City, and Frankfurt. Among the paintings, those worthy of mention are the "Assumption of the Virgin" and "Ascension of Christ", by Joseph Heim (1787-1865). The octagonal vault is covered with arches and lacelike interlaced sculpture in the late Gothic Flamboyant style. [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. [79]. The sacristy occupies the upper level over the chapel. An even older bell, by Jean Jacques-Miller (1595), repeats the sounding of the hours one minute later. The original Romanesque crypt was kept and expanded westwards. 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). Strasbourg and Cologne Cathedral together represent some of the earliest uses of architectural drawing. Bengel, Sabine; Nohlen, Marie-Jos; Potier, Stphane: This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 19:21. [20] Erwin von Steinbach's son Johannes von Steinbach served as magister operis, or Werkmeister (chief architect) from (at least) 1332 until his death in 1341. The church marked a historic moment in architecture, 11. 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. Until today, the church remains the 6th-tallest church in the world and is the most prominent landmark in Strasbourg. The design is composed of a series of unfolded arches which rest on a submerged "Latin Cross" floor plan. All these automata are put into operation daily at 12:30 pm except Sundays. [82] Other parts of the vaults are upheld by Atlantes, supports in the form of human figures. 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. This switch was made under the influence of architects who worked on the Cathedral of Chartres. The faade is supported and divided vertically by four narrow buttresses, each decorated with sculpture. [16], A Roman settlement called Argentoratum, twenty hectares in size, existed on the site since about 12 B.C., at a strategic point where bridges crossed the Rhine and two of its tributaries. Christianity was first imposed in 313 by the Edict of Constantine. The cathedral was built in Gothic style. The city celebrated its 2,000th anniversary in October of the year 1988 because it was first mentioned as the Ancient Roman settlement of Argentoratum in the year 12 B.C. Behind him is the portal of Saint Laurent. 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. On the last level are the Apostles, passing in front of Christ. It looks over the former cloister of the canons of the cathedral. 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. As it turns, it shows the 1,022 stars identified by Ptolemy, as viewed above the horizon of Strasbourg. 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. The statues in the portals are all standing upon realistically carved capitals decorated with the signs of the zodiac. 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. Just think of the Tour Saint Jacques, a sight in Paris that had its entire church demolished. 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 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 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. 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. 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 walls are pierced with narrow slits, like a medieval fortress, giving it a very military appearance. 15 Fabulous Facts About Luxembourg Palace, A-Z Index - Art Timeline - Architecture Timeline - Contact - Terms - Privacy Policy - About Art Facts, 1. It is easily recognizable by its pink sandstone faade and its unique tower. The observation deck is located at a height of 66 meters (217 feet) and offers some of the most amazing views of the wonderful city of Strasbourg and its surroundings! The Gothic pillars of the new section were copied exactly from those of the Basilica of Saint Denis. The window was a gift to the Cathedral in 1956 from the Council of Europe, which has headquarters in Strasbourg. In the portal of the Last Judgement, (right) Christ sits on his throne sorting the virtuous from the wicked. He reconstructed the dome over the transept in a grander, Romanesque Revival style. [72] Rays of yellow glass radiate outwards like a sun, surrounded mosaic-like pieces of green and blue and by small oculi with red floral designs. Apart from that, he is also standing just outside of the Cathedral near the southern transept of the church. 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. 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! 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. 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]. Further modifications were made to the crypts in the 12th century. Another remarkable feature inside the church is the Strasbourg astronomical clock. Its the third clock on this location and was installed in the year 1843, with previous clocks dating back to the 14th and 16th centuries. SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER AND GET THE FREE EBOOK It was the tallest building of world for over 227 years. The length of the cathedral is about 100 metres, with the main aisle of 38 metres. One angel sounds the bell while a second turns over an hourglass. 300 years actually, give or take a few decade! 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]. Remains of the choir screen are displayed in the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame and in The Cloisters. Strasbourg's 11th-15th-century Cathedral of Notre-Dame, damaged in 1870 and again in World War II, has been carefully restored. 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. All the parts of the clock together are 18m (59ft) high. 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. Decrees of the Emperor rendering justice were traditionally read out in front of this doorway. It's the most. The belltower is 142 m high. Free shipping for many products! The Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg is the landmark of the city and known in the whole world. Recht, Roland; Foessel, Georges; Klein, Jean-Pierre: Learn how and when to remove this template message, Al-Qaeda plot to bomb the adjacent Christmas market, List of tallest structures built before the 20th century, St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Wissembourg, "Architecture et sculpture gothiques: cathdrale de Strasbourg (1)", "Prodige du gigantesque et du dlicat (translation)", "Chronologie des fouilles archologiques", "17. If you enjoyed this video, make sure to subscribe to our channel. The northern transept is decorated with the Emperor Windows, also referred to as the Kaiserfenster.. Klotz's dome was in turn heavily damaged by bombing raids during World War II, and restored between 1988 and 1992. 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. Construction finished in 1439 with the erection of the emblematic North tower. The wicked attempt, without success, to seduce the noble Virgins, but succeed with the foolish virgins. It is a major architectural, historical, and cultural landmark in the city. 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. [50], The restoration of the tower was completed in 2006, and in 2014 a new campaign of restoration was begun on the south transept.