strasbourg cathedral facts

Built of red Vosges sandstone, it is a harmonious edifice despite the variety of its architectural styles. This is also true for Ecclesia and Synagoga, arguably the most famous statues of the cathedral, if not of Strasbourg. [17], The Romanesque chevet of the cathedral, seen in 1671, Romanesque pillars, vaults and squinches of the transept, In 1002, following the death of the Holy Roman Emperor Otto III, a battle broke out between his potential successors. [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 and Cologne Cathedral together represent some of the earliest uses of architectural drawing. The genuinely Romanesque chevet can only be seen from the courtyard of the adjacent complex of 18th-century buildings. A professor of the University of Iowa even wrote a paper concluding that the faade indeed had a well-planned design as it was designed using a series of rotated octagons. Strasbourg cathedral, a must-see visit in Alsace 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. Bengel, Sabine; Nohlen, Marie-Jos; Potier, Stphane: This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 19:21. The construction of the Strasbourg Cathedral, we know today, thereafter started and it took quite a bit of time to finish. [25] The three men completed the bell tower over the central part of the faade, in a design that moved away from Gerlach von Steinbach's initial idea of a central tower and whose precise authorship is unknown. Here are the best facts about Strasbourg Cathedral 1. 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. The arched tympanum over the doors of the central portal is crowded with sculpture, as are the voussures, the stone arches around the door. By car Served by the A4 and the A35. . It measures 142 m (466 ft) and remained the tallest building in the world until 1847. The Chapel of John the Baptist preserves its thick Romanesque walls and two Romanesque windows. Previous buildings on the site It also dates from the 15th century. Strasbourg Cathedral - Etsy The cathedral is open from October to March from 10 a.m.. Cathedrals can be found in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox . [8], The nave is dominated by the two rows of massive pillars. 5,626 Strasbourg Cathedral Stock Photos - Dreamstime A cathedral is a large Christian church. A Romanesque portal opens to the cloister outside. They were constructed around its nave in the 12th century to lend support to the thin walls, after the need. [17] The first recorded bishop, Amand, participated in the Councils of Cologne and Sardique in 346 and 347. Overview Download history Purchase history Invoices Boards SIGN OUT. Back in the day that Strasbourg was referred to as Argentoratum by the Ancient Romans, the site was already occupied by a Roman sanctuary. Type of place: Religious site. The vaults are supported by a circular pillar with modest decorative stone rings. 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. 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. Strasbourg Facts for Kids | KidzSearch.com [39][37] Following the war, Klotz took German nationality so he could continue his work. 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 crossing dome is placed over the meeting point of the transept and the choir, and, like the bell tower, has eight sides. .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. Under the balustrade is a large painting on wood illustrating the Nativity, in a sweeping landscape. (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 cathedral has a length of 112 meters (367 feet) and a width of 16 meters (52 feet). If you love heritage, culture and the art of living, there's no doubt that you'll fall in love with this city! [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. This part of the clock is surrounded by painted figures representing the ancient empires Greece, Assyria, Persia, and Rome. 15 Iconic Facts About Strasbourg Cathedral | Ultimate List 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. On the last level are the Apostles, passing in front of Christ. Strasbourg astronomical clock, Strasbourg Cathedral, Strasbourg, Alsace Built of red Vosges sandstone, it is a harmonious edifice despite the variety of its architectural styles. 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 Strasbourg Cathedral is impossible to miss as it towers above the surrounding buildings and is located in the center of the city. Top 10 Little Known Facts about Palais Rohan. 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. [29][30] The building of the second tower was often discussed, and was seriously proposed when Alsace became part of Germany after the 1871 French-German War in 1871, but was coldly received by the population of Strasbourg, who considered it would be a symbol of German occupation.[31]. Other objects and works from the cathedral, including the mechanism of the original astronomical clock, are found in the Muse des arts dcoratifs de Strasbourg. A pointed arch frames the window, and a row of blind arches at the lower level completes the decoration. The statues in the portals are all standing upon realistically carved capitals decorated with the signs of the zodiac. When the Romans were driven out, the original structure was replaced by a temple dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This switch was made under the influence of architects who worked on the Cathedral of Chartres. It lies on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the German city of Kehl . 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. [86], Original wimperg of the faade in the Muse de l'uvre Notre-Dame, Original statues of the Tempter, the foolish Virgins and the wise Virgins from the right faade portal, Bust (ca. The very beautiful stained glass windows date from the fourteenth century and is mostly a work by John Kircheim. 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. One of the oldest surviving architectural drawings of the cathedral. These windows date to about 1345. It is composed of an octagonal pillar surrounded by four engaged columns, which reach upwards to support the vaults, and four slender colonettes. Only the names remain carved on the walls. Several of the original Romanesque structures were torn down to make way for this revolutionary new architectural style. 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. 13 Facts About Notre-Dame Cathedral | Mental Floss "[36], The cathedral was not returned to church control until July 15, 1801, along with confiscated property that had not been destroyed. Strasbourg Cathedral or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg , also known as Strasbourg Minster, is a Catholic cathedral in Strasbourg, Alsace, France. The South Transept contains the Pillar of Angels, a massive supporting pillar for the ceiling. Klotz's dome was in turn heavily damaged by bombing raids during World War II, and restored between 1988 and 1992. At the same time, the planned two spires on either side of the facade would reach an extraordinary height of 122 meters. This is a real masterpiece of high Gothic. The guard's house, located in the spot planned for the second spire, reflects a rich history going back to the 16th century. The first version of the church was starting to be built during 1015 by proposal of Bishop Werner von Habsburg, but fire destroyed most of the original Romanesque building. And finally, here's my list of the top 4 packing essentials you shouldn't head to the Strasbourg Cathedral without. This was then carried out in the south transept. Just think of the Tour Saint Jacques, a sight in Paris that had its entire church demolished. 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. On the south side, the upper windows depict soldiers, popes, bishops, and other masculine figures. [34] The main or high altar, a major work of early Renaissance sculpture, was also demolished that year. This unique architectural style of the cathedral makes it all the more beautiful. It was rebuilt 1298, in 13241327, in 1384, 1430, and 1489 and finally in 1716 by Andr Silbermann. In 1682, the choir screen (built in 1252) was broken out to expand the choir towards the nave. Category:Strasbourg Cathedral organ - Wikimedia Commons pictures from Axis Mundi Design. CATHDRALE ALLEMANDE? As with so many other European Gothic churches, Strasbourg Cathedral was constructed on the ruins of its Romanesque predecessor. 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. It dates to the end of the 15th century. 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. [86], Life of the Virgin Mary tapestry - "The Nativity" (163857), The cathedral has a particularly fine group of fourteen tapestries depicting the life of the Virgin Mary. Goethe and the Strasbourg Cathedral - My French Quest The Cathedral stands on the exact site of a roman temple built on a little hill above the muddy ground. Decrees of the Emperor rendering justice were traditionally read out in front of this doorway. Visiting Strasbourg Cathedral: All You Need to Know The original construction of the church on its current location started in the year 1015. In the portal of the Last Judgement, (right) Christ sits on his throne sorting the virtuous from the wicked. [35] Fragments can be seen in the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame. 15 Fabulous Facts About Luxembourg Palace, A-Z Index - Art Timeline - Architecture Timeline - Contact - Terms - Privacy Policy - About Art Facts, 1. 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. Interior of Strasbourg Cathedral France: Gothic Masterpiece 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. Drawing A, circa 1260. 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. 2,793 Strasbourg Strasbourg Cathedral Premium High Res Photos 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. [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 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. Its the capital of the Grand Est region of France in the historic region of Alsace. Above that are three narrow windows and then a triangular gable with a small circular oculus window and blind arches. Formerly the floor of the crossing was filled with tombs of notable religious figures, but they were moved in later reconstructions. With its spire soaring 142m above the city, Our Lady of Strasbourg Cathedral was the highest building in the West until the nineteenth century. 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. In 1956, the Council of Europe donated the famous choir window by Max Ingrand, the "Strasbourg Madonna" (see also Flag of Europe Biblical interpretation). Strasbourg city guide - tourist information in English - About France Take a moment to yourself in the cathedral; sit in a pew and enjoy the peace. Cathedral Facts for Kids - Kiddle Strasbourg Cathedral (official French: Notre-Dame de Strasbourg ,German: Liebfrauenmnster zu Straburg, Our Lady of Strasbourg) is the Cathedral in Strasbourg. The known dimensions of the building are as follows:[87]. Pl. 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. This project was completed in 1926, after the end of the war. SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER AND GET THE FREE EBOOK Strasbourg Cathedral (official French: Notre-Dame de Strasbourg ,German: Liebfrauenmnster zu Straburg, Our Lady of Strasbourg) is the Cathedral in Strasbourg. It took hundreds of years to complete. 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". 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. The choir was given its multicolour painted decoration, by douard Steinl and Charles Auguste Steinheil, finished in 1879. In 1877, architect Gustave Klotz reconstituted the windows in their original arrangement. Church of St Peter the Young. 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. The Silbermann organ had three keyboards, thirty-nine jeux, or effects and two thousand, two hundred forty-two pipes. The urban community is the residence for 467,375 people, while the city proper was occupied by 272,975 people based on the report in 2006. During the French Revolution nine bells were taken out and melted down to make cannon, but the "Totonglock" and a second bell, the "Zehrnerglock" (1.58 meters, 2.225 tons), made in Mathieu Edel in 1786, were preserved to ring the hours and serve as alarm bells for the city. Cathdrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg Address Pl. [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. [83] The present clock was built by Jean-Baptiste Schwilgu between 1837 and 1842.[83]. 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. I love my Sony A6000, which is light, compact and . In 1518, a 'dancing plague' affected around 400 people in Strasbourg, Alsace (Now a city of France . The reddish-brown sandstone from the Vosges mountains gives the cathedral its distinctive colour.[8]. The nave and choir were composed of three vessels, each with two traverses. The pilasters between the stairways are older, from 1015. 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. It is reached by a stairway with a curling sculpted design called "butterfly wings". The planned south tower was never built and as a result, with its characteristic asymmetrical form, the cathedral is now the premier landmark of Alsace. 1. Inside Strasbourg Cathedral: A Must-Visit in Strasbourg, France [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. Visit Strasbourg, the European capital - Visit Alsace Strasbourg Cathedral Building, France - e-architect Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg | www.strassburg.eu 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. The roof was set afire and the cross at the top of the spire was bent by a German artillery shell. Strasbourg Cathedral: visitor information and guide - France This Way The most amazing feature of the cathedral is its west faade, 9. The Neustadt draws the inspiration for its urban layout partially . 10 Interesting Strasbourg France Facts | My Interesting Facts Strasbourg Cathedral: How to Visit & What to See - TripSavvy It was completed in 1399 and highlight of the cathedral was its 142-metre spire. Let's find out the people who live in Strasbourg. 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. [19], 1277 plan for west front (Plan Riss B restitution), Construction of Strasbourg Cathedral, by Thophile Schuler, 1850, Strasbourg Cathedral in the Middle Ages, painting by August von Bayer (19th century), The next major project was the rebuilding of the west front, or facade, in the Gothic style. Completed in 1439, it looms majestically over the Place de la Cathdrale, a major city square. 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. The length of the cathedral is about 100 metres, with the main aisle of 38 metres. Strasbourg France Facts 1: the population. The central figures depict the entry of Christ into Jerusalem, and the Crucifixion and Passion of Christ, all with exceptional expression and detail. [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. The primary decorative element is the rose window, added between 1320 and 1340, and substantially restored since. This magnificent cathedral is located in the city of Strasbourg in the eastern part of the country. It is separated from the nave by two massive pillars, 8.5 by 5 meters, which support the tower above. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for CDV Photo Cathedral Strasbourg France E Brion at the best online prices at eBay! Different characters, representing the ages of life (from a child to an old man) parade in front of Death. Some of the capitals also have sculpted monsters and lions on the corners. Design and Destruction at Strasbourg Cathedral in Alsace, France [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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 1500 and 1682), but many treasures remain inside the building; others, or fragments of them, being displayed in the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame. 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. The octagonal vault is covered with arches and lacelike interlaced sculpture in the late Gothic Flamboyant style. 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. 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. Is Strasbourg in Germany or France? Download Strasbourg Cathedral stock photos. Archaeological excavations below and around the cathedral have been conducted in 18961897,[11] 1907,[12] 19231924,[13] 19471948,[14] between 1966 and 1972,[15] and finally between 2012 and 2014. One of the most fascinating facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that it took hundreds of years to complete. While Strasbourg, today, is a symbol of unity in Europe, for centuries, it was at the center of conflict. It is in a Neo-Byzantine style, with Christ in a red frame in the center. [67] It is surrounded and supported by four more slender towers containing circular stairways. CDV Photo Cathedral Strasbourg France E Brion | eBay 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. They were eventually returned and installed, along with numerous other works of art, by the specially created Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives section of the United States military. Theres a statue of the main architect next to the cathedral, 8. 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.

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strasbourg cathedral facts

strasbourg cathedral facts