strasbourg cathedral facts

Strasbourg Cathedral: A Visitor's Guide to this UNESCO Site - ViaTravelers 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. 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. [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. The construction of this church is a mixture of Roman and Gothic architecture. [83], The apse, with the Virgin of Alsace window (1956), Crowning of Mary, by Eduard Steinle in the vault of the apse, The apse of the cathedral, the hemispherical vault behind the altar on the northeast end, features Romanesque and Gothic architecture overlaid with 19th-century Neo-Romanesque decoration, The paintings on the half-dome and walls were made by douard Steinl in 187779, in the style of a Byzantine mosaic. The more recent one is under the transept, from about 1150, and the older one, under the apse, was built in about 1110 to 1120. I love my Sony A6000, which is light, compact and . [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. Strasbourg Cathedral in France is famous for its western facade. The narthex is the portion of the cathedral just inside the west front, beneath the tower. [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. It is the least decorated side of the cathedral. It was originally made in 1498 by Nicolas Roder for the cemetery of Saint-Thomas, and was based on engravings by Martin Schongauer and Albrecht Drer. One of the oldest surviving architectural drawings of the cathedral. Strasbourg | History, Geography, & Points of Interest | Britannica 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! The very beautiful stained glass windows date from the fourteenth century and is mostly a work by John Kircheim. It is composed of an octagonal pillar surrounded by four engaged columns, which reach upwards to support the vaults, and four slender colonettes. 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. The cathedral is open from October to March from 10 a.m.. 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. [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. This was then carried out in the south transept. 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? You will surely enjoy exploring the vibrant . Since it was built, the platform has been a popular tourist attraction, and, until recently, a strategic fire lookout. 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 . The original construction phase utilized the Romanesque architectural style. The columns are purely decorative, and are so thin they are compared to the strings of a harp. [17] The first recorded bishop, Amand, participated in the Councils of Cologne and Sardique in 346 and 347. The meeting points between the columns and the vault ribs is decorated with vegetal sculpture. The first traverses were made in what was known as the Lorraine style, with two levels of quadripartite windows, traversed by a narrow passageway. This is also true for Ecclesia and Synagoga, arguably the most famous statues of the cathedral, if not of Strasbourg. 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. Walk through history on a guided walking tour of the Strasbourg Cathedral. 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. The genuinely Romanesque chevet can only be seen from the courtyard of the adjacent complex of 18th-century buildings. Take the time to marvel at the magnificent, amazing statuary inside and outside of this masterpiece of Gothic architecture. It measures 142 m (466 ft) and remained the tallest building in the world until 1847. Only the names remain carved on the walls. [45] During that same war, the stained glass was removed in 74 cases. 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. [8], The nave is dominated by the two rows of massive pillars. The Silbermann organ had three keyboards, thirty-nine jeux, or effects and two thousand, two hundred forty-two pipes. This included rebuilding the crypt and the addition of new stained-glass windows. The exterior height of the central nave reaches an astounding 40 meters (130 feet) as well. The first stone was placed on May 25, 1277, by Bishop Conrad of Lichtenberg. 10 Interesting Strasbourg France Facts | My Interesting Facts [35] Fragments can be seen in the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame. The construction of the Strasbourg Cathedral, we know today, thereafter started and it took quite a bit of time to finish. While Strasbourg, today, is a symbol of unity in Europe, for centuries, it was at the center of conflict. 15 Fabulous Facts About Luxembourg Palace, A-Z Index - Art Timeline - Architecture Timeline - Contact - Terms - Privacy Policy - About Art Facts, 1. In 1918 Alsace and Strasbourg and Alscace were once again attached to France. They were manufactured between 1638 and 1657 in Paris by Pierre Damour. It is the third clock on that spot and dates from th. The belltower is 142 m high. The octagonal vault is covered with arches and lacelike interlaced sculpture in the late Gothic Flamboyant style. 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! 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. 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. Ad vertisement from shop HayleesSilver. In 2015, the city has celebrated the millennial anniversary of its cathedral. [39][37] Following the war, Klotz took German nationality so he could continue his work. It is the second most visited cathedral in France, just after Notre Dame de Paris! [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. 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. CDV Photo Cathedral Strasbourg France E Brion | eBay Back in the day that Strasbourg was referred to as Argentoratum by the Ancient Romans, the site was already occupied by a Roman sanctuary. 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 cathedral has a length of 112 meters (367 feet) and a width of 16 meters (52 feet). [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. This magnificent cathedral is located in the city of Strasbourg in the eastern part of the country. [18], The next major step was the reconstruction of the nave into the Gothic style, which took place between 1240 and 1274. After the French defeat, Alsace was ceded to the new German Empire until 1918. The sculptor Jacques Zimmer added the heads of cherubs made of bronze. It is in a Neo-Byzantine style, with Christ in a red frame in the center. 15 Iconic Facts About Strasbourg Cathedral | Ultimate List One of the coolest facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that you can get the best view of all on top of the cathedral itself! Further modifications were made to the crypts in the 12th century. Find Strasbourg Strasbourg Cathedral stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER AND GET THE FREE EBOOK However, between 1250 and 1255 they decided to become more ambitious, and used what was called the "Parisian style"; this created three levels with a total height of 32 meters from the floor to the vaults. Its therefore considered to be one of the 4 capitals of Europe along with Brussels, Luxembourg City, and Frankfurt. Visit the Cathedral of Strasbourg - Guide to prepare your visit The windows are devoted to nine Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. One of the most fascinating facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that it took hundreds of years to complete. [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. Homepage Strasbourg. 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. The Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg is the landmark of the city and known in the whole world. Emperior Charles V visits the cathedral in 1552. 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. [46] and stored in a salt mine near Heilbronn, Germany. Only those Christian denominations that have bishops have cathedrals. A bas-relief of an abstracted Gothic cathedral will emerge on the . [40], In 1903, the architect Johann Knauth discovered cracks on the first pillar of the northern side of the nave. A sculpture of a head, wearing the hat of an architect or magistrate, gazes from the balustrade at the pillar of angels. Most of these windows date back to the 12th and 13th centuries! Plans to rebuild and restore the Notre Dame Cathedral are underway, with donations pouring in from all over. [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. Although considerable parts of it are still in Romanesque architecture, it is widely considered At 142 metres , Strasbourg Cathedral was the world's tallest building from 1647 to 1874 , when it was surpassed by St. Nikolai's Church, Hamburg. Select from premium Strasbourg Strasbourg Cathedral of the highest quality. The choir and the north transept of the cathedral were completed in a Romanesque style starting in 1176, and it wasnt until the year 1225 that the switch was made to the Gothic style. Today, the city is one of the most important cities in Europe as its home to several European institutions, including the European Parliament. The statues in the portals are all standing upon realistically carved capitals decorated with the signs of the zodiac. [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. Strasbourg Cathedral Facts for Kids | KidzSearch.com Drawing A, circa 1260. Kids Encyclopedia Facts. It was the tallest building in the world for a period of 227 years, 6. [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 pillar was created in the middle of the 13th century, most probably by a group of sculptors from France or Burgundy. The reverse of the central doors of the portal has a column statue of Saint Peter holding the keys of the kingdom and above it a blind rose, without glass, a miniature version of the large rose window above it. Under Charlemagne, the Bishop Remi consecrated the altar and built a funeral crypt in about 778. Both the interior and exterior of the Strasbourg Cathedral are extraordinary, once called by Victor Hugo "a prodigy of the gigantic and the delicate." Built on the foundations of a Roman. The church marked a historic moment in architecture, 11. As with so many other European Gothic churches, Strasbourg Cathedral was constructed on the ruins of its Romanesque predecessor. When the word was spread that Adolf Hitler wanted to turn the church into a national sanctuary of the German people during World War II, all the stained-glass windows were put into 74 boxes and stored in a salt mine near Heilbronn in Germany. [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. An even older bell, by Jean Jacques-Miller (1595), repeats the sounding of the hours one minute later. The west front was also exceptional because it was flanked by two towers, the "harmonic" style which became common in Gothic cathedrals during the following century. Strasbourg cathedral, a must-see visit in Alsace As it turns, it shows the 1,022 stars identified by Ptolemy, as viewed above the horizon of Strasbourg. On a clear day, it can be seen all the way from the Vosges Mountains, a mountain range over 30 kilometers to the southeast of the city, and the Black Forest, a famous forest an equal distance to the east! Strasbourg, Grande-le and - UNESCO World Heritage Centre What makes this monument extraordinarily impressive are the steeple with . Because of this amazing trick, the spire was saved! 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). With a height of 18 meters (59 feet), its one of the largest astrological clocks of its kind in the world! During the French Revolution in the late 18th century, churches in France were in great danger. (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. The current cathedral wasnt the first building on the site, 4. The work was completed in 1439. The crossing dome is placed over the meeting point of the transept and the choir, and, like the bell tower, has eight sides. [79], The Romanesque north transept has four traverses, which were the first in the cathedral to receive Gothic rib vaults. 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. 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. The painted figures on the wall represent fathers of the church and founders of religious orders, depicted in Byzantine style. The chair of Bishop Broughton, first Anglican Bishop of Sydney, Australia. The most amazing feature of the cathedral is its west faade, 9. The two rose windows above are later, from the 14th century, with vegetal designs. The original Romanesque cathedral burned down in the year 1176 and the construction of the modern-day cathedral started shortly after this disaster. [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. The cathedral was built in Gothic style. 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. Above this is a globe, with painted figures of the Church and the Antichrist confronting each other. Free shipping for many products! The main architect and the man credited with most of the cathedrals design was Erwin von Steinbach (1244-1318), a German architect. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Cathedral Strasbourg France Church Vintage Antique Photo 1910's 1920's 1930's at the best online prices at eBay! The cathedral can be seen from over 30 kilometers (20 miles) away from all sides on a clear day. [80], The north transept connects with the Chapel of Saint John, entered through a pointed Gothic arch containing a rounded Romanesque arch. The Strasbourg astronomical clock is located in the Cathdrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg, Alsace, France. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. Stavelot Triptych. It was completed in 1399 and highlight of the cathedral was its 142-metre spire. It became a major trading center for wine, grain, and later for textiles and luxury products. The cathedral is known for its ornate architecture and is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Europe. It has an asymmetrical facade (mainly 13th century) with fine . When the Romans were driven out, the original structure was replaced by a temple dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Top 10 Little known Facts about Palais Rohan pictures from Axis Mundi Design. The extension concerns the Neustadt, new town, designed and built under the German administration (1871-1918). Climbing up to the Cathedral's platform and guard house is a thrilling experience. 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. 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. Outside, the facade is the greatest "book" of images the Middle Ages has to offer. The Strasbourg Christmas markets are located in old Strasbourg, which is located on an island in the middle of the city. Strasbourg Cathedral Gifts & Merchandise for Sale | Redbubble 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 . It is really beautiful and imposing! 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. Full description. It is still in place.[86]. 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. Strasbourg city guide - tourist information in English - About France The reddish-brown sandstone from the Vosges mountains gives the cathedral its distinctive colour.[8]. The central figures depict the entry of Christ into Jerusalem, and the Crucifixion and Passion of Christ, all with exceptional expression and detail. 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. Free or royalty-free photos and images. Construction History of the Strasbourg Cathedral in Alsace. 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. The cathedral was one of the earliest structures built with exterior flying buttresses. Cathedral Facts for Kids - Kiddle It takes its reddish-brown color from the sandstone of the Vosges mountains. Cathdrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg or Strasbourg Cathedral is the 6th tallest church in the world, built entirely in the medieval period. This massive faade was decorated with thousands of figures giving it a unique and magnificent impression! de la Cathdrale, 67000 Strasbourg, France Phone +33 3 88 21 43 34 Web Visit website One of France's most stunning examples of late Gothic architecture, Strasbourg Cathedral towers over the Northern city's skyline with dramatic, imposing details. 10 Best Facts about Strasbourg Cathedral - Discover Walks Blog Choir pipe organ, north side of the choir, Height of observation deck: 66m (217ft), Exterior height of central nave: 40m (130ft), Inside height of central nave: 32m (105ft), Inside width of central nave: 16m (52ft), Inside height of lateral naves: 19m (62ft), Exterior width of west faade: 51.5m (169ft), Diameter of west faade rose window: 13.6m (45ft). Its considered to be the epitome of French Gothic architecture, 5.

Dallas County Jail In Custody List, Ragdale Hall Staff Accommodation, Articles S