strasbourg cathedral facts

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). This clock functioned until 1788, and can be seen today in the Strasbourg Museum of Decorative Arts. In 2010, the metropolitan area of Strasbourg is inhabited by 759,868 people. It looks over the former cloister of the canons of the cathedral. The painted figures on the wall represent fathers of the church and founders of religious orders, depicted in Byzantine style. 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. Its considered to be the epitome of French Gothic architecture, 5. [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. Strasbourg Cathedral is the oldest Gothic cathedral in the world and one of the must-sees when visiting Strasbourg. 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 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. The new plan was inspired in part by French cathedrals, particularly the Basilica of Saint-Urbain of Troyes. Here are the best facts about Strasbourg Cathedral 1. [39][37] Following the war, Klotz took German nationality so he could continue his work. Other moving figures include a trumpet player carrying a banner and a pretzel vendor being offered flour, water, and salt by the caryatides on the console. The construction of this church is a mixture of Roman and Gothic architecture. What makes this monument extraordinarily impressive are the steeple with . [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. These windows date to about 1345. In 1524, the city council assigned the cathedral to the Protestant faith, while the building suffered some damage from iconoclastic assaults. The face is flanked by two cylindrical towers with narrow lancet windows and pointed roofs. The Silbermann organ had three keyboards, thirty-nine jeux, or effects and two thousand, two hundred forty-two pipes. The known dimensions of the building are as follows:[87]. [56], Lintel decoration Mary ascends to Heaven, Ecclesia and Synagoga among other statues from the cathedral in the Muse de l'uvre 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. Select from premium Strasbourg Strasbourg Cathedral of the highest quality. In 1518, a 'dancing plague' affected around 400 people in Strasbourg, Alsace (Now a city of France . 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. It was constructed beginning in about 1330, following the rebuilding of the transept. pictures from Axis Mundi Design. [70], The chevet, at the northeast end of the cathedral, close to the transept, has vestiges that go back to the Romanesque cathedral, particularly at the lower levels. A gallery of statues of the Apostles, each in his own arch, is placed above the rose window. Strasbourg is, indeed, in France. [67], The spire above the tower is composed of eight stages of elaborate octagonal structure, linked together by interlaced arches and pinnacles, which contain a stairway to the lantern at the top. 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. 26 November the Church (majestic and crowned), King Solomon (above two other small statues of children evoking his famous judgement), and the Synagogue (eyes blindfolded, a sign of the refusal of true faith by the Jewish religion). History. Strasbourg Cathedral still holds a remarkable record, 7. In the south transept, the lancet and oculus windows in the two large bays on the east, built in 12201227, are modelled after those in the lower choir of Chartres Cathedral. The portal outside the northern transept is equally fascinating, 10. One of the oldest surviving architectural drawings of the cathedral. The two rose windows above are later, from the 14th century, with vegetal designs. Construction began in 1015, and it was largely completed in 1432. The Strasbourg Christmas markets are located in old Strasbourg, which is located on an island in the middle of the city. 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. Strasbourg Cathedral de Notre-Dame is known as one of the most beautiful gothic cathedrals in Europe. [54][55] It presents a virtual theater of late Gothic flamboyant architecture and decoration, including three interlocking arches over the doors, containing a statue of the Saint during his martyrdom. It measures 142 m (466 ft) and remained the tallest building in the world until 1847. [81], The man on the balustrade (south transept). As it turns, it shows the 1,022 stars identified by Ptolemy, as viewed above the horizon of Strasbourg. 10. [52], The cathedral has three portals, corresponding to the three vessels of the nave. When the Romans were driven out, the original structure was replaced by a temple dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The cathedral in Strasbourg is widely known as one of the most beautiful gothic cathedrals in whole Europe. The original statues were replaced by copies in the 20th century and are today kept in the Muse de l'uvre Notre-Dame. SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER AND GET THE FREE EBOOK The level above displays a group of mechanical chariots, with allegorical figures representing the days of the week, which move daily to bring to the front the current day of the week. 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. The cathedral is known for its ornate architecture and is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Europe. [79]. It is composed of an octagonal pillar surrounded by four engaged columns, which reach upwards to support the vaults, and four slender colonettes. The belltower is 142 m high. 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 sculptor Jacques Zimmer added the heads of cherubs made of bronze. Free shipping for many products! Archaeological excavations below and around the cathedral have been conducted in 1896-1897, 1907, 1923-1924, 1947-1948, between 1966 and 1972, and finally between 2012 and 2014.. [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. [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. 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! 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 crossing dome is placed over the meeting point of the transept and the choir, and, like the bell tower, has eight sides. #1 A Good Camera - No doubt you're going to be snapping like crazy with these amazing Cathedral views and need to ensure you have a good camera to do this city justice. Above this is a colourful clock with the signs of the zodiac. The original statue-columns of the Apostles from the 1220s which supported the tympanum were smashed in 1793 during the French Revolution. Kids Encyclopedia Facts. 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. The cathedral has an observation deck that offers stunning views, French Revolution in the late 18th century, The Laughing Cavalier by Frans Hals Top 8 Facts, The Caf-Concert by douard Manet Top 8 Facts, Top 10 Famous Paintings at the Frans Hals Museum, 8 Historic Facts about the Szchenyi Chain Bridge. The work was completed in 1439. The very beautiful stained glass windows date from the fourteenth century and is mostly a work by John Kircheim. It was hoisted up to its present position in 1327. 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. In the portal of the Last Judgement, (right) Christ sits on his throne sorting the virtuous from the wicked. [50], The restoration of the tower was completed in 2006, and in 2014 a new campaign of restoration was begun on the south transept. Bishop Heinrich von Hasenburg was the leading figure behind the start of the construction of the church and he had one goal, to make it more amazing than the newly finished cathedral of Basel. In 1877, architect Gustave Klotz reconstituted the windows in their original arrangement. In 1905 he began taking measures to consolidate and strengthen the north side of the west facade, which supports the spire. 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. [84], In 2004 the apse and choir received some of its historic furnishings; fifteen choir stalls made by Claude Burdy and Claude Bergerat in 1692, as well as a group of busts of the apostles originally placed there in the 18th century. 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. [23] He completed the installation of the rose window, and above it twelve statues of the apostles. 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). The elevation has the traditional High Gothic or Rayonnant Gothic three levels; large arcades below, with windows on the collateral aisles; a narrow triforium, or gallery, also with windows, for passing along the walls; and above that, of equal height with the arcades the upper windows which reach up into the vaults. [67], The Klotz designed crossing dome over the transept, The crossing dome being built, 1878 or 1879, Romanesque vaults beneath the Klotz crossing dome. 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. [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. [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. A Romanesque portal opens to the cloister outside. [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". The rose window, with a rayonnant Gothic design, is fourteen metres in diameter and was finished in 1345. HayleesSilver From shop HayleesSilver. [49], In 2000, an Al-Qaeda plot to bomb the adjacent Christmas market was prevented by French and German police. It lies on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the German city of Kehl . 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 narthex is the portion of the cathedral just inside the west front, beneath the tower. 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 first astronomical clock was installed in the cathedral from 135254 until 1500. The cathedral was one of the earliest structures built with exterior flying buttresses. 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 statue of the "Synagogue" is blindfolded, since Jews did not recognise the divinity of Christ. The meeting points between the columns and the vault ribs is decorated with vegetal sculpture. 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 cathedral was built in Gothic style. This massive faade was decorated with thousands of figures giving it a unique and magnificent impression! The Bayeux Tapestry is without a doubt the most fascinating Romanesque artwork that was ever produced. Top 10 Little Known Facts about Palais Rohan. It is in a Neo-Byzantine style, with Christ in a red frame in the center. . It is easily recognizable by its pink sandstone faade and its unique tower. It has an asymmetrical facade (mainly 13th century) with fine . The first cathedral was built on top of this temple and was completed in the 7th century, but nothing of these structures remains today. 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. "[36], The cathedral was not returned to church control until July 15, 1801, along with confiscated property that had not been destroyed. Built entirely in the Middle Ages, Strasbourg Cathedral was the tallest building in the world for more than 200 years. 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. By car Served by the A4 and the A35. 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. 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 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. Strasbourg Cathedral (1015-1439) is an absolute masterpiece of Gothic art. This was then carried out in the south transept. The cathedral has a length of 112 meters (367 feet) and a width of 16 meters (52 feet). It's the most. The upper windows of the nave depict eighty-four saints, added by various artists between 1250 and 1275. Apart from that, he is also standing just outside of the Cathedral near the southern transept of the church. Figures of two reclining women hold a cadran (clock face) between them which tells the minutes. 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. Strasbourg is located close to the border of Germany. The chapel is devoted to memorials to six canons who were entombed there between 1478 and 1681. Take the time to marvel at the magnificent, amazing statuary inside and outside of this masterpiece of Gothic architecture. 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. Its therefore considered to be one of the 4 capitals of Europe along with Brussels, Luxembourg City, and Frankfurt. Bengel, Sabine; Nohlen, Marie-Jos; Potier, Stphane: This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 19:21. The transept of the cathedral was 55 meters long, the same length as the nave and choir. 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. Type of place: Religious site. Above this are two levels of animated mechanical figures, above that a figure of Christ and the four Evangelists, under a dome formed by crossed arches. Fortunately for Strasbourg, the Romanesque church burnt down in 1176, and reconstruction dragged on sufficiently for the bishop to mostly use the newly . The Neustadt draws the inspiration for its urban layout partially . The central figures depict the entry of Christ into Jerusalem, and the Crucifixion and Passion of Christ, all with exceptional expression and detail. It is the least decorated side of the cathedral. More recently, a group of six modern bells was cast in Heidelberg between 1974 and 1976; they range from 1.7 meters to 0.9 meters in diameter, and from 3.9 to 5.7 tons in weight. The second wave of construction started in the 12th century, when the Gothic style of architecture had started to develop. Strasbourg Cathedral (official French: Notre-Dame de Strasbourg ,German: Liebfrauenmnster zu Straburg, Our Lady of Strasbourg) is the Cathedral in Strasbourg. The current cathedral was completed in 1439 and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1988. Strasbourg's 11th-15th-century Cathedral of Notre-Dame, damaged in 1870 and again in World War II, has been carefully restored. The construction of the Strasbourg Cathedral, we know today, thereafter started and it took quite a bit of time to finish. 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. 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. It houses one of the biggest astronomical clocks in the world, 15. The original construction phase utilized the Romanesque architectural style. On the south side of the nave, the upper walls have windows depicting female saints, including local saints from Alsace or Strasbourg. The nave and choir were composed of three vessels, each with two traverses. The Gothic pillars of the new section were copied exactly from those of the Basilica of Saint Denis. The small circular windows above the Emperors depict scenes from the life of Christ.[73]. Every day at solar noon, Christ and the Apostles go on a procession and the rooster is integrated into the clock crows thrice. And finally, here's my list of the top 4 packing essentials you shouldn't head to the Strasbourg Cathedral without. 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. This magnificent cathedral is located in the city of Strasbourg in the eastern part of the country. Full description. He in 1284 and developed a western facade, with a thousand sculptures and an elegant rosette window. [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. [35] Fragments can be seen in the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame. It is the seat of a Bishop. [46] and stored in a salt mine near Heilbronn, Germany. In addition to being one of the finest examples of high Gothic architecture remaining today, Strasbourg Cathedral has a fascinating history spanning hundreds of years. This cathedral was then again replaced by a more prominent structure which consisted of three naves and three apses, and it was on the ruins of this Carolingian cathedral that the original modern-day cathedral was constructed in 1015. 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 . Only those Christian denominations that have bishops have cathedrals. [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. Cathedral facts for kids. Download Strasbourg Cathedral stock photos. 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. 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 chapel contains the tomb of Bishop Conrad de Lichtenberg, made between 1310 and 1320, and now framed by flamboyant tripe arch. The tympanum was destroyed in the French Revolution and replaced by a work by the sculptor Jean Vallastre[fr] (17651833). Some of the capitals also have sculpted monsters and lions on the corners. Built of red Vosges sandstone, it is a harmonious edifice despite the variety of its architectural styles. Strasbourg Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Strasbourg, France. Free or royalty-free photos and images. 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! Behind him is the portal of Saint Laurent. [20] Erwin von Steinbach's son Johannes von Steinbach served as magister operis, or Werkmeister (chief architect) from (at least) 1332 until his death in 1341. They were manufactured between 1638 and 1657 in Paris by Pierre Damour. Further modifications were made to the crypts in the 12th century. Strasbourg Cathedral is over one thousand years old. 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 Muse de luvre Notre-Dame.[32]. Strasbourg France Facts 1: the population. The cathedral was eventually surpassed in height by the St. Nikolai Church in Hamburg, Germany. The cathedral is open from October to March from 10 a.m.. The current cathedral wasnt the first building on the site, 4. Above this is a flamboyant Gothic balustrade with an original sundial from about 1493, and above that are two small rose windows from the same period. [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 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. Because of this amazing trick, the spire was saved! The guard's house, located in the spot planned for the second spire, reflects a rich history going back to the 16th century. The tracery and decoration of the interior are very much like of that exterior, with blind galleries and delicate parallel vertical lines, like the strings of a harp. You will surely enjoy exploring the vibrant . Strasbourg Cathedral is a beautiful Gothic cathedral in the city of Strasbourg, France. The European capital and the capital of Alsace, Strasbourg exudes youthfulness and energy. Construction was resumed in 1571 by Conrad Dasypodius and the Habrecht brothers, and this clock was given a more ambitious program of mechanical figures. After the war, it was returned to the cathedral by the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives section of the United States military.[47]. During the Franco-Prussian War of 187071, city was under siege. Strasbourg Cathedral 104 Results Strasbourg Alsace France Petite France Ill Waterfront Sticker By artshop77 From $1.40 DECEMBER Canvas Print By Tritri Choupi $84.50 Strasbourg Cathedral - France Sticker By Moritz Schwble From $2.61 Strasbourg Alsace France Petite France street scene Sticker By artshop77 From $1.40 strasbourg cathedral Sticker It was the highest building in the world from 1647 to 1874. But it hasn't always been. Cathdrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg or Strasbourg Cathedral is the 6th tallest church in the world, built entirely in the medieval period. It was called the Dreiknigsuhr ("three-king clock"), and was located at the opposite wall from where today's clock is. 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.

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strasbourg cathedral facts