The supporting buttresses on either side also have very expressive sculpture representing the Virgin Mary and the three Magi on one side, and a group of Saints on the other, both sheltered beneath lacelike flamboyant sculpture and pinnacles. [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. Strasbourg Cathedral (official French: Notre-Dame de Strasbourg ,German: Liebfrauenmnster zu Straburg, Our Lady of Strasbourg) is the Cathedral in Strasbourg. A balustrade crosses the face of the transept, and above is a wall of two bays filled with stained glass. The portal outside the northern transept is equally fascinating, 10. 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. The cathedral is known for its ornate architecture and is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Europe. Top 10 Little Known Facts about Palais Rohan. Other It lies on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the German city of Kehl . The cathedral was eventually surpassed in height by the St. Nikolai Church in Hamburg, Germany. The observation deck is located at a height of 66 meters (217 feet) and offers some of the most amazing views of the wonderful city of Strasbourg and its surroundings! The sculpture largely dates to the late 13th century and is similar in theme and style to that of the sculpture of Reims Cathedral made between 1250 and 1260, though the Strasbourg sculpture shows greater realism.[53]. A trick saved the cathedrals spire during the French Revolution, 13. [37] [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 construction, and later maintenance, of the cathedral is supervised by the Fondation de l'uvre Notre-Dame ("Foundation of Our Lady") since at least 1224. With its spire soaring 142m above the city, Our Lady of Strasbourg Cathedral was the highest building in the West until the nineteenth century. Further modifications were made to the crypts in the 12th century. Cathedral facts for kids. The columns are lavishly decorated with sculpted foliage. Ad vertisement from shop HayleesSilver. . 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. 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. It was completed in 1399 and highlight of the cathedral was its 142-metre spire. At 142 metres (466 feet), Strasbourg Cathedral was the world's tallest building from 1647 to 1874 (227 years), when it was surpassed by St. Nikolai's Church, Hamburg. The statues in the portals are all standing upon realistically carved capitals decorated with the signs of the zodiac. At the same time, the planned two spires on either side of the facade would reach an extraordinary height of 122 meters. The 142 m high spire looks incredibly lightweight and made the Cathedral the highest edifice in all Christianity until the 19th century. [18], The new church was exceptionally large, just ten meters shorter than the present cathedral, and just ten meters narrower on its west front. It measures 142 m (466 ft) and remained the tallest building in the world until 1847. In 1518, a 'dancing plague' affected around 400 people in Strasbourg, Alsace (Now a city of France . [17] The first recorded bishop, Amand, participated in the Councils of Cologne and Sardique in 346 and 347. The central figures depict the entry of Christ into Jerusalem, and the Crucifixion and Passion of Christ, all with exceptional expression and detail. [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. 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 four bells in the octagon tower are rung on the hour. [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. This mechanism displays the phases of the moon. Strasbourg Cathedral is over 1,000 years old Officially named "Notre-Dame de Strasbourg" ("Our Lady of Strasbourg"), the Cathedral was built in a Gothic style, and is still to this day a "light and delicate marvel", as Victor Hugo called it. In 2015, the city has celebrated the millennial anniversary of its cathedral. Theres a reason why the church has an asymmetrical form, 12. The narthex is the portion of the cathedral just inside the west front, beneath the tower. [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. 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. 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 chevet, or east end, probably also had a tower, and was flanked by two chapels. [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 vaults are supported by a circular pillar with modest decorative stone rings. He reconstructed the dome over the transept in a grander, Romanesque Revival style. 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). 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. This included rebuilding the crypt and the addition of new stained-glass windows. It was built next to Strasbourg Cathedral in the 1730s, from designs by Robert de Cotte . [69] The medieval crossing dome's aspect was altered several times over the centuries. Fortunately for Strasbourg, the Romanesque church burnt down in 1176, and reconstruction dragged on sufficiently for the bishop to mostly use the newly . On the last level are the Apostles, passing in front of Christ. The guard's house, located in the spot planned for the second spire, reflects a rich history going back to the 16th century. These windows date to about 1345. While its most definitely assumed that drawings of buildings were made before the construction of this cathedral, the construction of this particular church marked an important moment in architectural history. The painted figures on the wall represent fathers of the church and founders of religious orders, depicted in Byzantine style. 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 original construction of the church on its current location started in the year 1015. 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. (New York, NY) April 21, 2011 - Axis Mundi was invited to submit a proposal for a new cathedral for the city of Strasbourg, France. On the bottom, figures of the Four Seasons surround a mechanical astrolabe, which indicates the location of the planets according to Copernicus, and is surrounded by the signs of the zodiac. Cathdrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg or Strasbourg Cathedral is the 6th tallest church in the world, built entirely in the medieval period. Theres a statue of the main architect next to the cathedral, 8. [81], The man on the balustrade (south transept). 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. A Romanesque portal opens to the cloister outside. The chapel is devoted to memorials to six canons who were entombed there between 1478 and 1681. The original statue-columns of the Apostles from the 1220s which supported the tympanum were smashed in 1793 during the French Revolution. The very beautiful stained glass windows date from the fourteenth century and is mostly a work by John Kircheim. Strasbourg is the second most popular tourist city in France, after Paris; and there are three main attractions. He in 1284 and developed a western facade, with a thousand sculptures and an elegant rosette window. Judgement of Solomon at Strasbourg Cathedral. The arched tympanum over the doors of the central portal is crowded with sculpture, as are the voussures, the stone arches around the door. the choir and south portal, still have very Romanesque features, with more emphasis placed on walls than on windows. It was hoisted up to its present position in 1327. Cathedrals can be found in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox . [50], The restoration of the tower was completed in 2006, and in 2014 a new campaign of restoration was begun on the south transept. A door opens from the chapel to an adjoining cloister behind the cathedral. The cathedral was built in Gothic style. De bouw van het uit roze zandsteen opgetrokken gebouw begon in 1176 en werd na 263 jaar in 1439 afgerond strasbourg cathedral stock pictures, royalty . The roof was set afire and the cross at the top of the spire was bent by a German artillery shell. Download Strasbourg Cathedral stock photos. I love my Sony A6000, which is light, compact and . The two lower lancet windows were put together in the 19th century out of glass from different centuries. 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 primary decorative element is the rose window, added between 1320 and 1340, and substantially restored since. It was electrified after 1807, and was restored and modified several times, most recently in 193435 and in 197581, giving it the current forty-seven jeux.[76]. It is in a Neo-Byzantine style, with Christ in a red frame in the center. 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. Strasbourg and Cologne Cathedral together represent some of the earliest uses of architectural drawing. CATHDRALE ALLEMANDE? 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. SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER AND GET THE FREE EBOOK 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. It is the seat of a Bishop. Adolf Hitler, who visited it on 28 June 1940, intended to transform the church into a "national sanctuary of the German people",[43] or into a monument to the Unknown German Soldier. 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.. It was originally made in 1498 by Nicolas Roder for the cemetery of Saint-Thomas, and was based on engravings by Martin Schongauer and Albrecht Drer. One angel sounds the bell while a second turns over an hourglass. One can see 30 kilometers from the observation level, which provides a view of the Rhine banks from the Vosges all the way to the Black Forest. [83], Animated characters launch into movement at different hours of the day. 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. Its the capital of the Grand Est region of France in the historic region of Alsace. 9. Homepage Strasbourg. Repairs to war damage were completed only in the early 1990s. Apart from that, he is also standing just outside of the Cathedral near the southern transept of the church. Most of these windows date back to the 12th and 13th centuries! How tall is Strasbourg Cathedral? A gallery of statues of the Apostles, each in his own arch, is placed above the rose window. Free or royalty-free photos and images. [85], Statue of Virgin and a processional banner, in the Chapel of St. Andrew, The Chapel of Saint Andrew is on the southeast side, to the right of the apse. [84], Canon Conrad de Bussnang praying to Virgin and Child. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. Strasbourg Cathedral or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg (French: Cathdrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, or Cathdrale de Strasbourg, German: Liebfrauenmnster zu Straburg or Straburger Mnster), also known as Strasbourg Minster, is a Catholic cathedral in Strasbourg, Alsace, France. 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. [45] During that same war, the stained glass was removed in 74 cases. [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. From the platform of Strasbourg Cathedral, 66 meters above the ground, discover a striking panorama of the city in 1490 to the west, and in 1730 to the east. The church is located in the Alsace Region in eastern France, 2. [56], The mid-level of the transept over the portal, built in about 1230, has lancet windows and a statue of Virgin, flanked by Saint Peter and Saint Lawrence. It is the least decorated side of the cathedral. 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. 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. [8], The nave is dominated by the two rows of massive pillars. Strasbourg (UK: / s t r z b r /, US: / s t r s b r , s t r z-,-b r /, French: (); German: Straburg [tasbk] (); Bas Rhin Alsatian: Strossburi [dsbui] (), Haut Rhin Alsatian: Strossburig [dsbui] ()) is the prefecture and largest city of the Grand Est region of eastern France and the official seat of the . Every day at solar noon, Christ and the Apostles go on a procession and the rooster is integrated into the clock crows thrice. After the French defeat, Alsace was ceded to the new German Empire until 1918. The Strasbourg Cathedral is impossible to miss as it towers above the surrounding buildings and is located in the center of the city. The Gothic pillars of the new section were copied exactly from those of the Basilica of Saint Denis. Back in the day that Strasbourg was referred to as Argentoratum by the Ancient Romans, the site was already occupied by a Roman sanctuary. It is easily recognizable by its pink sandstone faade and its unique tower.