It is really beautiful and imposing! It also contains the tomb of Conrad de Bussnang, a prominent member of the chapter, whose image is portrayed in sculpture praying before the Virgin and child. The meeting points between the columns and the vault ribs is decorated with vegetal sculpture. [79], The Romanesque north transept has four traverses, which were the first in the cathedral to receive Gothic rib vaults. They wear diadems and have flowers in their hair, and carry twigs of the tree of life, or fruit. Work on the church was frequently interrupted by wars and political crises. A little-known treasure of Strasbourg, the gothic Eglise Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune was consecrated in 1053 by the Alsatian Pope Leo IX. 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! It is the least decorated side of the cathedral. Other articles where Cathedral of Notre-Dame is discussed: Strasbourg: The contemporary city: Strasbourg's 11th-15th-century Cathedral of Notre-Dame, damaged in 1870 and again in World War II, has been carefully restored. Under the roof of the Klotz tower are the six bells that ring the weekly masses but also the baptisms, marriages and deaths of parishioners. The first stone was placed on May 25, 1277, by Bishop Conrad of Lichtenberg. 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 . [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. The face is flanked by two cylindrical towers with narrow lancet windows and pointed roofs. The Strasbourg astronomical clock is located in the Cathdrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg, Alsace, France. 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! [85], The cathedral has two Romanesque crypts, the oldest parts of the cathedral. It also preserves the earliest plans of the cathedral, as well as paintings and tapestries and other objects. 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. In 1372 the work was taken over a master Conrad, also known as Kuntze, about whom little is known, until 1382. Most of the sculptures decorating this portal are copies and the originals are on display in a museum in Strasbourg called the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame.. [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 and Cologne Cathedral together represent some of the earliest uses of architectural drawing. [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. [83] The present clock was built by Jean-Baptiste Schwilgu between 1837 and 1842.[83]. 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. 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. The walls are pierced with narrow slits, like a medieval fortress, giving it a very military appearance. Other scenes are painted onto the reverse of the bas-reliefs. Each pillar bundles sixteen smaller columns, of which five reach upward to support the vaults overhead. It measures 142 m (466 ft) and remained the tallest building in the world until 1847. The first traverses were made in what was known as the Lorraine style, with two levels of quadripartite windows, traversed by a narrow passageway. Inside Strasbourg Cathedral. In the portal of the Last Judgement, (right) Christ sits on his throne sorting the virtuous from the wicked. Church of St Peter the Young. This faade has been credited to Erwin von Steinback and is considered to be an absolute masterpiece of the Gothic Era. Download Strasbourg Cathedral stock photos. 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 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. The cathedral has a length of 112 meters (367 feet) and a width of 16 meters (52 feet). 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. The Bayeux Tapestry is without a doubt the most fascinating Romanesque artwork that was ever produced. "It is our history," French president Emmanuel Macron said after the fire. An even older bell, by Jean Jacques-Miller (1595), repeats the sounding of the hours one minute later. Free shipping for many products! Today, about 275,000 people live there (with around 780,000 in the metropolitan area ). [72], 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. de la Cathdrale, 67000 Strasbourg, France Phone +33 3 88 21 43 34 Web Visit website A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, Notre-Dame Cathedral rivals its more famous counterpart in Paris. At the lower level are statues of the four Evangelists. A pointed arch frames the window, and a row of blind arches at the lower level completes the decoration. While the spire is the most prominent feature, the western faade is the most impressive element of the cathedrals design. [9] The Muse de l'uvre Notre-Dame, a municipal museum located in the Foundation's buildings, displays original works of art from the cathedral, such as sculptures and stained-glass, but also the surviving original medieval buildings plans. The tower is one of the first to rely substantially on craftsmanship, with the final appearance being one with a high degree of linearity captured in stone. It was decorated with paintings by the Swiss painter Tobias Stimmer. The Muse de l'uvre Notre-Dame, or Museum of the Work of Notre-Dame, is located in a medieval and Renaissance building not far from the cathedral, and displays a collection of some of the most delicate original works of sculpture and art from Cathedral, moved there to protect them from environmental damage. [46] and stored in a salt mine near Heilbronn, Germany. 1439-1939", "Straburger Mnster, Cathdrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg", "Straburger Mnster Mnster Unserer Lieben Frau", Notre Dame Cathedral (original plans and contemporary photographs), Historical Sketch of the Cathedral of Strasbourg, Diocese of GrenobleVienne-les-Allobroges, Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Sainte-Croix-de-Paris, Maronite Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Paris, Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint Vladimir the Great of Paris, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Strasbourg_Cathedral&oldid=1140780300, 15th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in France, Roman Catholic churches completed in 1439, Articles with French-language sources (fr), Articles with German-language sources (de), Articles needing cleanup from October 2021, Cleanup tagged articles with a reason field from October 2021, Wikipedia pages needing cleanup from October 2021, Pages using embedded infobox templates with the title parameter, Articles with MusicBrainz place identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, First Emperor Window: HENRICUS REX (presumably, Fourth Emperor Window: KAROLUS D[ic]C[tu]S MARTEL PATER BIPPINI (, Fifth Emperor Window: LOTHARIUS ROMANORUM IMPERATOR (. [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. The design called for a west front taller and wider than the nave behind it. The statue of the "Synagogue" is blindfolded, since Jews did not recognise the divinity of Christ. [45] During that same war, the stained glass was removed in 74 cases. It looks over the former cloister of the canons of the 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. Theres a statue of the main architect next to the cathedral, 8. 300 years actually, give or take a few decade! 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. Every day at solar noon, Christ and the Apostles go on a procession and the rooster is integrated into the clock crows thrice. The Neustadt draws the inspiration for its urban layout partially . The church marked a historic moment in architecture, 11. 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. They feature a Tree of Jesse (The Genealogy of Christ) and the judgement of Solomon (right window) and the Virgin Mary with John the Baptist and John the Evangelist) as well as King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba and King David on the left. Under Charlemagne, the Bishop Remi consecrated the altar and built a funeral crypt in about 778. One of the oldest gothic cathedrals in France and the world, along with the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The cathedral was built in Gothic style. The vaults are supported by a circular pillar with modest decorative stone rings. In 1518, a 'dancing plague' affected around 400 people in Strasbourg, Alsace (Now a city of France . Strasbourg Cathedral is the oldest Gothic cathedral in the world and one of the must-sees when visiting Strasbourg. Its the capital of the Grand Est region of France in the historic region of Alsace. 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. Most of these windows date back to the 12th and 13th centuries! Strasbourg's 11th-15th-century Cathedral of Notre-Dame, damaged in 1870 and again in World War II, has been carefully restored. 00 4006 Langhausorgel im Strassburger Mnster.jpg 1,467 2,200; 3.7 MB 14-02-07-Cathdrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg-RalfR-05.jpg 2,848 4,288; 9.23 MB 14-02-07-Cathdrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg-RalfR-11.jpg 2,848 4,288; 8.14 MB Strasbourg Cathedral in France is famous for its western facade. 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. This mechanism displays the phases of the moon. 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. It is the seat of a Bishop. The Bishop appealed to the new Emperor, who granted one eighth of his revenues in the province toward the construction of a new Cathedral. 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. 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. One of the coolest facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that you can get the best view of all on top of the cathedral itself! The original statue-columns of the Apostles from the 1220s which supported the tympanum were smashed in 1793 during the French Revolution. The same was about to happen to the spire of Strasbourg Cathedral as the agitators who ruled the city during the revolution, referred to as the Enrags, planned to demolish it in April of 1794. [35] Fragments can be seen in the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame. 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 larger crypt has three naves, of equal size, divided by slender columns. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. [85], 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. A retrouver dans la galerie. One of the most fascinating churches in the world can be found in the east of France. Different characters, representing the ages of life (from a child to an old man) parade in front of Death. Walk up 66 meters to marvel at the view of Strasbourg from the top of the clock. I love my Sony A6000, which is light, compact and . The reddish-brown sandstone from the Vosges mountains gives the cathedral its distinctive colour.[8]. He in 1284 and developed a western facade, with a thousand sculptures and an elegant rosette window. [82] Other parts of the vaults are upheld by Atlantes, supports in the form of human figures. 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 Enrags at the time. In the late Middle Ages, the city of Strasbourg had managed to liberate itself from the domination of the bishop and to rise to the status of Free Imperial City. Three high-spots make the visit unforgettable. A balustrade crosses the face of the transept, and above is a wall of two bays filled with stained glass. 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. [53], 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. Protestant and Revolutionary iconoclasm, the war periods of 1681, 1870 and 19401944, as well as changes in taste and liturgy, have taken a toll on some of Strasbourg Cathedral's most outstanding features such as the choir screen of 1252 and the successive high altars (ca. Take a moment to yourself in the cathedral; sit in a pew and enjoy the peace. [8], Animated mechanical figure of Samson and a lion. 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. One of the oldest surviving architectural drawings of the cathedral. [80], The north transept connects with the Chapel of Saint John, entered through a pointed Gothic arch containing a rounded Romanesque arch. As with so many other European Gothic churches, Strasbourg Cathedral was constructed on the ruins of its Romanesque predecessor. 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. This clock functioned until 1788, and can be seen today in the Strasbourg Museum of Decorative Arts. 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. This is, however, nothing compared to the height of the spire, which reaches a total height of 142 meters (466 feet) above the ground. Because of this amazing trick, the spire was saved! [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. The small circular windows above the Emperors depict scenes from the life of Christ.[73]. Construction of the Neo-Romanessque dome over the transept was begun, and new bronze doors were installed in 1879. The initial property, inscribed in 1988 on the World Heritage List, was formed by the Grande-le, the historic centre of Strasbourg, structured around the cathedral. ABOUT Strasbourg Cathedral: discover the Gothic masterpiece! Strasbourg Cathedral is over one thousand years old. A pointed arch, a tribune for singers, and a balustrade were added in the 15th century. Construction began in 1015, and it was largely completed in 1432. 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. 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. [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. Another two old bells by Mathieu Edel (1787) ring on the quarter hours. It was hoisted up to its present position in 1327. It was the highest building in the world from 1647 to 1874. You will surely enjoy exploring the vibrant . pictures from Axis Mundi Design. It dates to the end of the 15th century. 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. 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! The pilasters between the stairways are older, from 1015. Cathedral. Since it was built, the platform has been a popular tourist attraction, and, until recently, a strategic fire lookout. He was followed by a Michael von Freiburg (also known as Michael von Gmnd, or Michael Parler, from the Parler family of architects), recorded as magister operis in 13831387,[24] who was then succeeded by Claus von Lohre (13881399). The first overhead vault before the cupola features a 19th-century painting of the Last Judgement by Charles Auguste Steinheil, a collaborator of Eugne Viollet-le-Duc and other notable cathedral-restorers. Among the paintings, those worthy of mention are the "Assumption of the Virgin" and "Ascension of Christ", by Joseph Heim (1787-1865). Full description. The painted figures on the wall represent fathers of the church and founders of religious orders, depicted in Byzantine style. Some of the capitals also have sculpted monsters and lions on the corners. Strasbourg Cathedral or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg , also known as Strasbourg Minster, is a Catholic cathedral in Strasbourg, Alsace, France. 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). [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 switch was made under the influence of architects who worked on the Cathedral of Chartres. 1. 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 central decoration is sculptural work dedicated to the Virgin Mary donated by the de Barby brothers in 1521. The central vessel was higher than the two collaterals. 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. Remains of the choir screen are displayed in the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame and in The Cloisters. The Silbermann organ had three keyboards, thirty-nine jeux, or effects and two thousand, two hundred forty-two pipes. [84], The stained glass window in the axis of the apse depicts the Virgin of Alscace. Cathedral facts for kids. . [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.