Walk through history on a guided walking tour of the Strasbourg Cathedral. 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. 15 Fabulous Facts About Luxembourg Palace, A-Z Index - Art Timeline - Architecture Timeline - Contact - Terms - Privacy Policy - About Art Facts, 1. 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. Decrees of the Emperor rendering justice were traditionally read out in front of this doorway. In 1918 Alsace and Strasbourg and Alscace were once again attached to France. While Strasbourg, today, is a symbol of unity in Europe, for centuries, it was at the center of conflict. Bengel, Sabine; Nohlen, Marie-Jos; Potier, Stphane: This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 19:21. It also dates from the 15th century. [17] The first recorded bishop, Amand, participated in the Councils of Cologne and Sardique in 346 and 347. 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. [81], The man on the balustrade (south transept). 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 first cathedral was built on top of this temple and was completed in the 7th century, but nothing of these structures remains today. [84], The main altar, in the form of a tomb, is a recreation of an earlier altar in the rocaille or late baroque style, which had been damaged in a fire in 1759 and then ruined during the French Revolution. 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. [8], The nave is dominated by the two rows of massive pillars. [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. 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 . The belltower is 142 m high. The original construction of the church on its current location started in the year 1015. During the Franco-Prussian War of 187071, city was under siege. The choir was given its multicolour painted decoration, by douard Steinl and Charles Auguste Steinheil, finished in 1879. The columns are lavishly decorated with sculpted foliage. [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. Strasbourg Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Strasbourg, France. In 1877, architect Gustave Klotz reconstituted the windows in their original arrangement. On the south side of the nave, the upper walls have windows depicting female saints, including local saints from Alsace or Strasbourg. [72], The creation of Adam and Eve (Narthex) (12801345), The lower bay on the south has stained glass windows that depict the Last Judgement, while the north bay windows illustrate twelve episodes from the Book of Genesis, including the creation of Adam and Eve, the original sin, the expulsion from Paradise, and Noah's ark. It was the tallest building of world for over 227 years. It was called the Dreiknigsuhr ("three-king clock"), and was located at the opposite wall from where today's clock is. He reconstructed the dome over the transept in a grander, Romanesque Revival style. [41][42], During World War II, the cathedral was seen as a symbol for both warring parties. 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. A balustrade crosses the face of the transept, and above is a wall of two bays filled with stained glass. At noon, a group of three mechanical kings would prostrate themselves before the infant Jesus, while the chimes of the clock sounded the hour. 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. pictures from Axis Mundi Design. "It is our history," French president Emmanuel Macron said after the fire. [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. It is a major architectural, historical, and cultural landmark in the city. LMENTS POUR UNE RPONSE", Les grandes dates de lhistoire de la Cathdrale de Strasbourg, "1439 1527: Strasbourg, loge suprme du Saint-Empire romain germanique", "Strasbourg Cathedral and the French Revolution (17891802)", "1906-1926: Consolidation des fondations du pilier de la tou", "CLBRATION DANS LA CATHDRALE DE NOTRE-DAME STRASBOURG HOMLIE DU PAPE JEAN-PAUL II Samedi, 8 octobre 1988", "Sculpture - Muse de l'uvre Notre-Dame", "L'histoire de la sculpture de saint Arbogast", "1399 1419: Construction de la haute tour", "Jubil du demi-millnaire de la flche de la cathdrale de Strasbourg. 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. The cathedral was eventually surpassed in height by the St. Nikolai Church in Hamburg, Germany. It was built over a period of 424 years, 3. The construction of the cathedral, which had started in the year 1015 and had been relaunched in 1190, was finished in 1439.[6]. At the lower level are statues of the four Evangelists. STRASBOURG CATHEDRAL .925 Sterling Silver Charm Pendant Alsace France Europe Landmark Travel Souvenir New tf35 ad vertisement by HayleesSilver. [23] He completed the installation of the rose window, and above it twelve statues of the apostles. The upper windows of the nave depict eighty-four saints, added by various artists between 1250 and 1275. At Strasbourg it is 61.5 metres (202ft) long and 16 metres (52ft) wide, not counting the two collateral aisles, which are each 10.41 metres (34.2ft) wide. [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. Overview Download history Purchase history Invoices Boards SIGN OUT. The reason is simply that the intention was to eventually build the south tower, but this never happened, resulting in the buildings distinctive form today. In the portal of the Last Judgement, (right) Christ sits on his throne sorting the virtuous from the wicked. The original construction phase utilized the Romanesque architectural style. 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. [83], The central tower is composed of three levels. 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. [46] and stored in a salt mine near Heilbronn, Germany. One of the architects was Erwin von Steinbach. When the nave was rebuilt in Gothic style in the 13th century, the old windows were reinstalled in random locations. [30], Notre Dame of Strasbourg turned into a Temple of Reason during the French Revolution, Strasbourg cathedral in 1837 with an optical telegraph, Strasbourg and the cathedral in 1869 (photo by Charles David Winter[fr]), Following the outbreak of the French Revolution, on 2 November 1789, all church property was seized by the French state and was soon vandalised by the most ardent revolutionaries, the Enrags. 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. [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. 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. 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. 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. Inside Strasbourg Cathedral. 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. Above that are three narrow windows and then a triangular gable with a small circular oculus window and blind arches. The pillar was created in the middle of the 13th century, most probably by a group of sculptors from France or Burgundy. Take a moment to yourself in the cathedral; sit in a pew and enjoy the peace. 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. [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, indeed, in France. The original Romanesque crypt was kept and expanded westwards. 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. Construction History of the Strasbourg Cathedral in Alsace. Another two old bells by Mathieu Edel (1787) ring on the quarter hours. The original Romanesque cathedral burned down in the year 1176 and the construction of the modern-day cathedral started shortly after this disaster. The Strasbourg Cathedral is impossible to miss as it towers above the surrounding buildings and is located in the center of the city. Klotz's dome was in turn heavily damaged by bombing raids during World War II, and restored between 1988 and 1992. The four bells in the octagon tower are rung on the hour. It was hoisted up to its present position in 1327. 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 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]. [35] Fragments can be seen in the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. The visual effect of the faade is enhanced by its unusual darkish red stone. It's the most. These windows consist of 5 sets and depict 19 Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. An even older bell, by Jean Jacques-Miller (1595), repeats the sounding of the hours one minute later. Some of the capitals also have sculpted monsters and lions on the corners. [18]. Fortunately for Strasbourg, the Romanesque church burnt down in 1176, and reconstruction dragged on sufficiently for the bishop to mostly use the newly . The faade is supported and divided vertically by four narrow buttresses, each decorated with sculpture. It took hundreds of years to complete. Completed in 1439, it looms majestically over the Place de la Cathdrale, a major city square. Theres a statue of the main architect next to the cathedral, 8. 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. It has an asymmetrical facade (mainly 13th century) with fine . [17], The first cathedral built on the present site was erected by the bishop Saint Arbogast in about 550575. "[36], The cathedral was not returned to church control until July 15, 1801, along with confiscated property that had not been destroyed. All the parts of the clock together are 18m (59ft) high. It is still in place.[86]. 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.