Figures of two reclining women hold a cadran (clock face) between them which tells the minutes. After the French defeat, Alsace was ceded to the new German Empire until 1918. 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. 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. While the spire is the most prominent feature, the western faade is the most impressive element of the cathedrals design. The cathedral was one of the earliest structures built with exterior flying buttresses. 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. Notre Dame de Strasbourg Cathedral. The four bells in the octagon tower are rung on the hour. Although considerable parts of it are still in Romanesque architecture, it is widely considered[2][3][4][5] to be among the finest examples of Rayonnant Gothic architecture. The construction of this church is a mixture of Roman and Gothic architecture. Under Charlemagne, the Bishop Remi consecrated the altar and built a funeral crypt in about 778. [34] The main or high altar, a major work of early Renaissance sculpture, was also demolished that year. The 142 m high spire looks incredibly lightweight and made the Cathedral the highest edifice in all Christianity until the 19th century. A retrouver dans la galerie. Take a moment to yourself in the cathedral; sit in a pew and enjoy the peace. Decrees of the Emperor rendering justice were traditionally read out in front of this doorway. [80], 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. The statue of the "Synagogue" is blindfolded, since Jews did not recognise the divinity of Christ. 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. The first stone was placed on May 25, 1277, by Bishop Conrad of Lichtenberg. Strasbourg is the seat Council of Europe, of the European Court of Human Rights and of the European Parliament. 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.. These include an old bell made by Jean Rosier and Cesar Bonbon (1691). Drawing A, circa 1260. Strasbourg Cathedral is the oldest Gothic cathedral in the world and one of the must-sees when visiting Strasbourg. 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. Bishop Heinrich I von Hasenburg (1181 March 25, 1190) decided to construct a new cathedral, to be more beautiful than that of Basel Munster, which was just being finished. [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 northern transept is decorated with the Emperor Windows, also referred to as the Kaiserfenster.. The central vessel was higher than the two collaterals. The cupola itself rests upon four squinches, a base made of rounded arches, which make the connection between the Gothic and Romanesque elements. They were constructed around its nave in the 12th century to lend support to the thin walls, after the need. It houses one of the biggest astronomical clocks in the world, 15. the choir and south portal, still have very Romanesque features, with more emphasis placed on walls than on windows. One of the most fascinating facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that it took hundreds of years to complete. The original Romanesque cathedral burned down in the year 1176 and the construction of the modern-day cathedral started shortly after this disaster. Every day at solar noon, Christ and the Apostles go on a procession and the rooster is integrated into the clock crows thrice. In 1988, the Strasbourg Cathedral was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List along with the historic centre of the city (called the "Grande le") because of its outstanding Gothic architecture. Climbing up to the Cathedral's platform and guard house is a thrilling experience. The larger crypt has three naves, of equal size, divided by slender columns. The Bayeux Tapestry is without a doubt the most fascinating Romanesque artwork that was ever produced. Ad vertisement from shop HayleesSilver. On the south side of the nave, the upper walls have windows depicting female saints, including local saints from Alsace or Strasbourg. The Strasbourg astronomical clock is located in the Cathdrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg, Alsace, France. [67], The Klotz designed crossing dome over the transept, The crossing dome being built, 1878 or 1879, Romanesque vaults beneath the Klotz crossing dome. It is reached by a stairway with a curling sculpted design called "butterfly wings". The choir was given its multicolour painted decoration, by douard Steinl and Charles Auguste Steinheil, finished in 1879. [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. The Gothic style also appeared in the statuary, particularly the Pillar of the Angels, and in the tympanums over the double portals on the south transept, which showed the influence of the sculpture in French Gothic cathedrals. Theres a reason why the church has an asymmetrical form, 12. 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. It is composed of an octagonal pillar surrounded by four engaged columns, which reach upwards to support the vaults, and four slender colonettes. How tall is Strasbourg Cathedral? 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 Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg is the landmark of the city and known in the whole world. Ensingen worked on the cathedral from 1399 to 1419, taking over from Claus von Lohre, and Hltz from 1419 to 1439, completing the building at last. 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]. 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 wicked attempt, without success, to seduce the noble Virgins, but succeed with the foolish virgins. [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. The reddish-brown sandstone from the Vosges mountains gives the cathedral its distinctive colour.[8]. In 1682, the choir screen (built in 1252) was broken out to expand the choir towards the nave. The currently visible, much higher crossing dome was designed in grand Romanesque Revival style by the architect Gustave Klotz, after the original dome had been heavily damaged by Prussian shelling during the Siege of Strasbourg. [18], The next major step was the reconstruction of the nave into the Gothic style, which took place between 1240 and 1274. Strasbourg is the second most popular tourist city in France, after Paris; and there are three main attractions. In 2010, the metropolitan area of Strasbourg is inhabited by 759,868 people. Homepage Strasbourg. The more recent one is under the transept, from about 1150, and the older one, under the apse, was built in about 1110 to 1120. The west front was also exceptional because it was flanked by two towers, the "harmonic" style which became common in Gothic cathedrals during the following century. In height to the vaults it is 32.616 metres (107.01ft). The nave and choir were composed of three vessels, each with two traverses. 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. Just think of the Tour Saint Jacques, a sight in Paris that had its entire church demolished. 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. Klotz's dome was in turn heavily damaged by bombing raids during World War II, and restored between 1988 and 1992. The Chapel of John the Baptist preserves its thick Romanesque walls and two Romanesque windows. 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. 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 first traverses were made in what was known as the Lorraine style, with two levels of quadripartite windows, traversed by a narrow passageway. The chevet, or east end, probably also had a tower, and was flanked by two chapels. The original Romanesque crypt was kept and expanded westwards. The belltower is 142 m high. 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. Bengel, Sabine; Nohlen, Marie-Jos; Potier, Stphane: This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 19:21. The original statue-columns of the Apostles from the 1220s which supported the tympanum were smashed in 1793 during the French Revolution. They are covered with Romanesque groin vaults, formed by the intersection of rounded barrel vaults, and supported by massive cruciform pillars and cylindrical columns with palm leaf decoration on their capitals. The next major step toward Gothic took place with the raising of the vaults of the south transept, creating thinner walls and more space for high windows. Different characters, representing the ages of life (from a child to an old man) parade in front of Death. Construction was resumed in 1571 by Conrad Dasypodius and the Habrecht brothers, and this clock was given a more ambitious program of mechanical figures. 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. 1500) by Nikolaus Hagenauer, probably from the former main altar of the cathedral, Parts of the original astronomical clock (Strasbourg Museum of Decorative Arts). Cathedral facts for kids. 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. During the Franco-Prussian War of 187071, city was under siege. 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. Today it is the sixth-tallest church in the world and the highest still standing extant structure built entirely in the Middle Ages. [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. Construction History of the Strasbourg Cathedral in Alsace. The chapel contains the tomb of Bishop Conrad de Lichtenberg, made between 1310 and 1320, and now framed by flamboyant tripe arch. [26][27][28], The octagonal north tower was the combined work of architects Ulrich Ensingen (shaft) and Johannes Hltz of Cologne (top). By the use of buttresses and a double wall, the outer wall decorative with wide spaces, and the inner wall bearing the weight and having large windows, the interior of the cathedral could have more light. Remains of the choir screen are displayed in the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame and in The Cloisters. Today, the city is one of the most important cities in Europe as its home to several European institutions, including the European Parliament. [79], The Romanesque north transept has four traverses, which were the first in the cathedral to receive Gothic rib vaults. The guard's house, located in the spot planned for the second spire, reflects a rich history going back to the 16th century. Each pillar bundles sixteen smaller columns, of which five reach upward to support the vaults overhead. The genuinely Romanesque chevet can only be seen from the courtyard of the adjacent complex of 18th-century buildings. Take the time to marvel at the magnificent, amazing statuary inside and outside of this masterpiece of Gothic architecture. 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. Back in the day that Strasbourg was referred to as Argentoratum by the Ancient Romans, the site was already occupied by a Roman sanctuary. In 1015, bishop Werner laid the first stone of a new cathedral on the foundations of the Carolingian church. The north tower was the world's tallest building from 1647 (when the taller spire of St. Mary's Church, Stralsund burnt down) until 1874 (when the tower of St. Nikolai's Church in Hamburg was completed). [81], The man on the balustrade (south transept). 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. HayleesSilver From shop HayleesSilver. 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 . 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. They wear diadems and have flowers in their hair, and carry twigs of the tree of life, or fruit. The meeting points between the columns and the vault ribs is decorated with vegetal sculpture. [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. 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! 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. The original construction phase utilized the Romanesque architectural style. 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. Strasbourg Cathedral is over one thousand years old. [40], In 1903, the architect Johann Knauth discovered cracks on the first pillar of the northern side of the nave. Because of this amazing trick, the spire was saved! A little-known treasure of Strasbourg, the gothic Eglise Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune was consecrated in 1053 by the Alsatian Pope Leo IX. 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. Strasbourg Cathedralor the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg(French: Cathdrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, or Cathdrale de Strasbourg, German: Liebfrauenmnster zu Straburgor Straburger Mnster), also known as Strasbourg Minster, is a cathedral. Is Strasbourg in Germany or France? 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. Bayeux Tapestry. It was the tallest building in the world for a period of 227 years, 6. Strasbourg France Facts 1: the population. Built entirely in the Middle Ages, Strasbourg Cathedral was the tallest building in the world for more than 200 years.
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