Today it is the sixth-tallest church in the world and the highest extant structure built entirely in the Middle Ages. 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. The original construction of the church on its current location started in the year 1015. 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. One of the coolest facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that you can get the best view of all on top of the cathedral itself! New Revised Enlarged Mackey’s History of Freemasonry by Robert Ingham Clegg with the co-operation of many eminent authorities including William James Hughan. Bengel, Sabine; Nohlen, Marie-José; Potier, Stéphane: This page was last edited on 2 May 2021, at 12:15. The original Romanesque cathedral burned down in the year 1176 and the construction of the modern-day cathedral started shortly after this disaster. 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 Musée de l’Œuvre Notre-Dame.[31]. The upper windows at Strasbourg fill the entire space between the triforium and the vaults. The wicked attempt, without success, to seduce the noble Virgins, but succeed with the foolish virgins. 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. Under the balustrade is a large painting on wood illustrating the Nativity, in a sweeping landscape. [49], The restoration of the tower was completed in 2006, and in 2014 a new campaign of restoration was begun on the south transept. 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. 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. [79], 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. Emperior Charles V visits the cathedral in 1552. The construction of the Romanesque cathedral, of which only the crypt and the footprint remain, began in 1015. ÉLÉMENTS POUR UNE RÉPONSE", Les grandes dates de l’histoire de la Cathédrale de Strasbourg, "1439 à 1527: Strasbourg, loge suprême du Saint-Empire romain germanique", "Strasbourg Cathedral and the French Revolution (1789–1802)", "1906-1926 : Consolidation des fondations du pilier de la tou", "CÉLÉBRATION DANS LA CATHÉDRALE DE NOTRE-DAME À STRASBOURG HOMÉLIE DU PAPE JEAN-PAUL II Samedi, 8 octobre 1988", "Sculpture - Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame", "L'histoire de la sculpture de saint Arbogast", "Die Skulpturen am Südquerhausportal des Straßburger Münsters. 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. Strasbourg Cathedral or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg (French: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, or Cathédrale de Strasbourg, German: Liebfrauenmünster zu Straßburg or Straßburger Münster), also known as Strasbourg Minster, is a Catholic cathedral in Strasbourg, Alsace, France. [51], 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. The statues in the portals are all standing upon realistically carved capitals decorated with the signs of the zodiac. It’s the capital of the “Grand Est” region of France in the historic region of Alsace. 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. [52], 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. This is also true for Ecclesia and Synagoga, arguably the most famous statues of the cathedral, if not of Strasbourg. During the French Revolution in the late 18th century, churches in France were in great danger. The nave and choir were composed of three vessels, each with two traverses. The façade is supported and divided vertically by four narrow buttresses, each decorated with sculpture. 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. The clock shows much more than the official time; it also indicates solar time, the day of the week (each represented by a god of mythology), the month, the year, the sign of the zodiac, the phase of the moon and the position of several planets. A monument has been erected in his honor in a town nearby called “Steinbach” which is part of the town of Baden-Baden, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) to the northeast of Strasbourg. [43] 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". 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. Although considerable parts of it are still in Romanesque architecture, it is widely considered to be among the finest examples of Rayonnant Gothic architecture. A sculpture of a head, wearing the hat of an architect or magistrate, gazes from the balustrade at the pillar of angels. Behind him is the portal of Saint Laurent. The roof was set afire and the cross at the top of the spire was bent by a German artillery shell. 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. Strasbourg Cathedral is still a house of worship, so remember to be respectful of your surroundings and to the people who might be praying; You can view the astronomical clock in action every day at 12:30. [15], 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. [55], Lintel decoration – Mary ascends to Heaven, Ecclesia and Synagoga among other statues from the cathedral in the Musée de l'Œuvre 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. A Romanesque portal opens to the cloister outside. It is widely considered to be among the finest examples of high, or late, Gothic architecture. "[35], The cathedral was not returned to church control until July 15, 1801, along with confiscated property that had not been destroyed. 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. [82], 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. This switch was made under the influence of architects who worked on the Cathedral of Chartres. These windows consist of 5 sets and depict 19 Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. The walls are pierced with narrow slits, like a medieval fortress, giving it a very military appearance. The reason is simply that the intention was to eventually build the south tower, but this never happened, resulting in the building’s distinctive form today.The tower / Gzen92 / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en. In 1524, the city council assigned the cathedral to the Protestant faith, while the building suffered some damage from iconoclastic assaults. It was built over a period of 424 years, 3. [38][36] Following the war, Klotz took German nationality so he could continue his work. The original Romanesque crypt was kept and expanded westwards. The two rose windows above are later, from the 14th century, with vegetal designs. These include an old bell made by Jean Rosier and Cesar Bonbon (1691). It is in a Neo-Byzantine style, with Christ in a red frame in the center. 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. [84], The bourdon, the largest and deepest-sounding bell, In 1519 Strasbourg Cathedral commissioned Jerg von Speyer to create what was said to be the largest bell in Europe; 2.74 meters in diameter and weighing twenty tons. The church was repaired after each fire, and reconstructions and modifications made, but it retained its essentially Romanesque form, with thick walls, small windows and massive columns. The central vessel was higher than the two collaterals. Architect Erwin von Steinbach is credited for major contributions from 1277 to his death in 1318, and beyond through his son Johannes von Steinbach, and his grandson Gerlach von Steinbach, who succeeded him as chief architects. [67] 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 landmark of the city is the Cathedral of Notre Dame. It is separated from the nave by two massive massive pillars, 8.5 by 5 meters, which support the tower above. The belltower is 142 m high. [82] The present clock was built by Jean-Baptiste Schwilguẻ between 1837 and 1842.[82]. The columns are lavishly decorated with sculpted foliage. Decrees of the Emperor rendering justice were traditionally read out in front of this doorway. Choir pipe organ, north side of the choir, Height of observation deck: 66 m (217 ft), Exterior height of central nave: 40 m (130 ft), Inside height of central nave: 32 m (105 ft), Inside width of central nave: 16 m (52 ft), Inside height of lateral naves: 19 m (62 ft), Exterior width of west façade: 51.5 m (169 ft), Diameter of west façade rose window: 13.6 m (45 ft). [84], The cathedral has two Romanesque crypts, the oldest parts of the cathedral. [71], The three levels of the nave; arcades and collateral aisles (bottom); triforium, and upper windows, The nave is the section of the cathedral between the narthex and the choir where ordinary parishioners are seated and worship. While it’s most definitely assumed that drawings of buildings were made prior to the construction of this cathedral, the construction of this particular church marked an important moment in architectural history. The Chapel of John the Baptist preserves its thick Romanesque walls and two Romanesque windows. A paleochristian church or cathedral is believed to have been founded by an edict of Clovis I, but its exact location and appearance is unknown. The known dimensions of the building are as follows:[86]. The four bells in the octagon tower are rung on the hour. As it turns, it shows the 1,022 stars identified by Ptolemy, as viewed above the horizon of Strasbourg. The genuinely Romanesque chevet can only be seen from the courtyard of the adjacent complex of 18th-century buildings. 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 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. 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 objects and works from the cathedral, including the mechanism of the original astronomical clock, are found in the Musée des arts décoratifs de Strasbourg. It was decorated with paintings by the Swiss painter Tobias Stimmer. Unlike you may think, the French national anthem – La Marseillaise – is from Strasbourg. 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. Construction was resumed in 1571 by Conrad Dasypodius and the Habrecht brothers, and this clock was given a more ambitious program of mechanical figures. 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. The portal of the infancy of Christ (left) depicts angels, bishops and saints in the voussures, and figures representing the virtues, carrying spears, prod the figures representing the vices. [70], Two chapels, devoted to Saint Andrew and Saint John the Baptist, were attached to the two sides of the apse. Klotz's dome was in turn heavily damaged by bombing raids during World War II, and restored between 1988 and 1992. 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. The statue of the "Synagogue" is blindfolded, since Jews did not recognise the divinity of Christ. Back in the day that Strasbourg was referred to as “Argentoratum” by the Ancient Romans, the site was already occupied by a Roman sanctuary. History of Strasbourg Cathedral . [80], The man on the balustrade (south transept). 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 Durer. [68] The medieval crossing dome's aspect was altered several times over the centuries. Architect Erwin von Steinbachis credited for major contributi… Most of the sculptures decorating this portal are copies and the originals are on display in a museum in Strasbourg called the “Musée de l’Œuvre Notre-Dame.”Saint Lawrence Portal / Ralph Hammann / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0. [85], Original wimperg of the façade in the Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame, Original statues of the Tempter, the foolish Virgins and the wise Virgins from the right facade portal, Bust (ca. This part of the clock is surrounded by painted figures representing the ancient empires – Greece, Assyria, Persia, and Rome. Built of red Vosges sandstone, it is a harmonious edifice despite the variety of its architectural styles. Archaeological excavations below and around the cathedral have been conducted in 1896–1897,[10] 1907,[11] 1923–1924,[12] 1947–1948,[13] between 1966 and 1972,[14] and finally between 2012 and 2014. When Bishop Werner I supported the winning candidate, Henry II of Germany, one of his Henry's rivals, Hermann of Germany, raided Strasbourg and burned down the cathedral. During the … The chapel contains the tomb of Bishop Conrad de Lichtenberg, made between 1310 and 1320, and now framed by flamboyant tripe arch. 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 Enragés at the time. 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 Fürstenberg,[32] the cathedral was returned to the Catholics and its inside redesigned according to the Catholic liturgy of the Counter-Reformation. It's called "Notre Dame" and it started being built in 1015 and was completed in 1439, so soon it will have it's 1000th birthday! Strasbourg`s Notre Dame Cathedral is as huge that I couldn’t capture it whole with my camera. 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 envisionned 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 Hültz. It was rebuilt 1298, in 1324–1327, in 1384, 1430, and 1489 and finally in 1716 by André Silbermann. The reddish-brown sandstone from the Vosges mountains gives the cathedral its distinctive colour.[8]. It was electrified after 1807, and was restored and modified several times, most recently in 1934–35 and in 1975-81, giving it the current forty-seven jeux.[75]. The cathedral was built in Gothic style. Whether you take the autoroute from Paris or Mulhouse, its silhouette with the single bell tower surmounted by a spire is visible from afar, heralding the next on-ramp to the Alsatian capital. It was the tallest building in the world for a period of 227 years, 6. Drawing A′, circa 1260. The cupola itself rests upon four squinches, a base made of rounded arches, which make the connection between the Gothic and Romanesque elements. The chevet, or east end, probably also had a tower, and was flanked by two chapels. Above that are three narrow windows and then a triangular gable with a small circular oculus window and blind arches. [78]. [51], The cathedral has three portals, corresponding to the three vessels of the nave. Under Charlemagne, the Bishop Remi consecrated the altar and built a funeral crypt in about 778. There are two altars fixed to west pillars of the crossing, both from the 16th century; one devoted to Saint Pancras of Rome and the other to Saint Maurice. on the streets Square in Strasbourg 3) Each place in France has it’s own Notre Dame Cathedral and Strasbourg is not an exception. One of the most fascinating churches in the world can be found in the east of France, and in this post, you’ll discover the ultimate list of facts about Strasbourg Cathedral.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-listerious_com-medrectangle-3-0')}; This magnificent cathedral is located in the city of Strasbourg in the eastern part of the country. When the Romans were driven out, the original structure was replaced by a temple dedicated to the Virgin Mary. 1500) by Nikolaus Hagenauer, probably from the former main altar of the cathedral, Parts of the original astronomical clock (Strasbourg Museum of Decorative Arts). [50], The rose window and gallery of the Apostles, The west front or façade, the main entrance of the cathedral, is a relatively late addition, constructed between 1277 and 1490. After the French defeat, Alsace was ceded to the new German Empire until 1918. 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 Cathedral stands on the exact site of a roman temple built on a little hill above the muddy ground. The cathedral of Notre-Dame Strasbourg cathedral is an outstanding masterpiece of Gothic art. The pillar was created in the middle of the 13th century, most probably by a group of sculptors from France or Burgundy. The Cathedrale de Notre Dame in Strasbourg is one of France's most impressive gothic buildings, and is particularly noted for it's soaring west facade, richly ornamented and crowned by a single steeple (two were originally planned but this hardly seems to matter, the design was much modified by a succession of architects). The upper windows of the nave depict eighty-four saints, added by various artists between 1250 and 1275. 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. [36] It was called the Dreikönigsuhr ("three-king clock"), and was located at the opposite wall from where today's clock is. Strasbourg is situated at the eastern border of France with Germany. [66] It is surrounded and supported by four more slender towers containing circular stairways. [47] The bishopric of Strasbourg had been elevated to the rank of archbishopric a few months before, in June 1988. The choir and the north transept of the cathedral were completed in a Romanesque style starting in 1176, and it wasn’t until the year 1225 that the switch was made to the Gothic style. The spire of the current building, in a Gothic style, was completed in 1439. Recht, Roland; Foessel, Georges; Klein, Jean-Pierre: Al-Qaeda plot to bomb the adjacent Christmas market, St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Wissembourg, "Architecture et sculpture gothiques : cathédrale de Strasbourg (1)", "Prodige du gigantesque et du délicat (translation)", "Chronologie des fouilles archéologiques", "17. [33] The main or high altar, a major work of early Renaissance sculpture, was also demolished that year. 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. It’s considered to be the epitome of French Gothic architecture, 5. The pilasters between the stairways are older, from 1015. Formerly the floor of the crossing was filled with tombs of notable religious figures, but they were moved in later reconstructions. COPY CODE SNIPPET History. Strasbourg Cathedral - HD footage, information and facts on the great Strasbourg Cathedral. It also hosts two major international music festivals every year. [35], A series of major reconstructions and restorations were carried out in the second of the century Gustave Klotz [fr] from 1837 to 1888. 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. It’s the third-tallest structure in the European Union. It is composed of an octagonal pillar surrounded by four engaged columns, which reach upwards to support the vaults, and four slender colonettes. [48], In 2000, an Al-Qaeda plot to bomb the adjacent Christmas market was prevented by French and German police. Places of worship, including several cathedrals and a Basilica, stood at the site of the present-day cathedral starting from at least the fifth century. On the east wall, the windows depict Christ in Majesty, Saint Lawrence, a Virgin and Child, and John the Baptist. Until today, the church remains the 6th-tallest church in the world and is the most prominent landmark in Strasbourg. [81], 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. The two lower lancet windows were put together in the 19th century out of glass from different centuries. The construction of this church is a mixture of Roman and Gothic architecture. A balustrade crosses the face of the transept, and above is a wall of two bays filled with stained glass. [60], 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. [40][41], During World War II, the cathedral was seen as a symbol for both warring parties. The new building, with its wooden roof beams, was unfortunately prone to fire; it suffered from fires in 1136, 1140,1150, and 1176. They were manufactured between 1638 and 1657 in Paris by Pierre Damour. One of the most fascinating facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that it took hundreds of years to complete. [39], In 1903, the architect Johann Knauth discovered cracks on the first pillar of the northern side of the nave. 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.[52]. Strasbourg Cathedral added a 144-metre (475-foot) spire in 1439, and the upper limit was reached at Beauvais Cathedral in 1569 when its 157-metre (516-foot) spire was completed; the Beauvais spire collapsed in 1573 and was never rebuilt, a last sad epilogue to the cathedral crusade. Repairs to war damage were completed only in the early 1990s. The original height of the tower was 365 meters … if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-listerious_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0')};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. [74], 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.
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