strasbourg cathedral facts 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). 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 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. It was the highest building in the world from 1647 to 1874. It dates to the end of the 15th century. Built of red Vosges sandstone, it is a harmonious edifice despite the variety of its architectural styles. This faade has been credited to Erwin von Steinback and is considered to be an absolute masterpiece of the Gothic Era. [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. After the war, it was returned to the cathedral by the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives section of the United States military.[47]. [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 meeting points between the columns and the vault ribs is decorated with vegetal sculpture. Media in category "Strasbourg Cathedral organ" The following 102 files are in this category, out of 102 total. The exterior height of the central nave reaches an astounding 40 meters (130 feet) as well. The roof was set afire and the cross at the top of the spire was bent by a German artillery shell. The chapel contains the tomb of Bishop Conrad de Lichtenberg, made between 1310 and 1320, and now framed by flamboyant tripe arch. Under Charlemagne, the Bishop Remi consecrated the altar and built a funeral crypt in about 778. The portal outside the northern transept is equally fascinating, 10. These include some of the original statues from the portals and faade dating from the 13th century, including the statues of "The Church" and "The Synagogue" from the portal of the south transept. If you enjoyed this video, make sure to subscribe to our channel. The crossing is filled with statues and busts of saints set into niches as well as bas-reliefs of the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi. [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. Each holds a sceptre in his right hand and an orb in the left hand, symbols of their responsibility as both sovereigns and religious figures. [37] (New York, NY) April 21, 2011 - Axis Mundi was invited to submit a proposal for a new cathedral for the city of Strasbourg, France. At noon, a group of three mechanical kings would prostrate themselves before the infant Jesus, while the chimes of the clock sounded the hour. With its spire soaring 142m above the city, Our Lady of Strasbourg Cathedral was the highest building in the West until the nineteenth century. Strasbourg Cathedral is a beautiful Gothic cathedral in the city of Strasbourg, France. Strasbourg Cathedral is over one thousand years old. They were constructed around its nave in the 12th century to lend support to the thin walls, after the need. Strasbourg is, indeed, in France. This switch was made under the influence of architects who worked on the Cathedral of Chartres. The very beautiful stained glass windows date from the fourteenth century and is mostly a work by John Kircheim. In 2015, the city has celebrated the millennial anniversary of its cathedral. During the Franco-Prussian War of 187071, city was under siege. Between 1200 and 1228, the Romanesque vaults of the north transept were replaced by the pointed Gothic rib vault, which were stronger and shifted the thrust of the weight outwards, reducing the need for massive pillars in the interior. 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. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. The columns are purely decorative, and are so thin they are compared to the strings of a harp. 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! 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. 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. 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 upper windows at Strasbourg fill the entire space between the triforium and the vaults. Bengel, Sabine; Nohlen, Marie-Jos; Potier, Stphane: This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 19:21. Repairs to war damage were completed only in the early 1990s. In 1918 Alsace and Strasbourg and Alscace were once again attached to France. The cathedral was eventually surpassed in height by the St. Nikolai Church in Hamburg, Germany. The pointed gable over the central portal, decorated with a sculpture of the Virgin Mary and child, reaches up into the space in front of the rose window. This is a real masterpiece of high Gothic. In 1956, the Council of Europe donated the famous choir window by Max Ingrand, the "Strasbourg Madonna" (see also Flag of Europe Biblical interpretation). The vaults are supported by a circular pillar with modest decorative stone rings. The first cathedral was built on top of this temple and was completed in the 7th century, but nothing of these structures remains today. 1. It is really beautiful and imposing! 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. Ad vertisement from shop HayleesSilver. The tympanum was destroyed in the French Revolution and replaced by a work by the sculptor Jean Vallastre[fr] (17651833). 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]. [26][27][28], The octagonal north tower was the combined work of architects Ulrich Ensingen (shaft) and Johannes Hltz of Cologne (top). The South Transept contains the Pillar of Angels, a massive supporting pillar for the ceiling. 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.. 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. [85], The cathedral has two Romanesque crypts, the oldest parts of the cathedral. The Strasbourg astronomical clock is located in the Cathdrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg, Alsace, France. A cathedral is a large Christian church. [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. Thanks to the installation of rib vaults, the nave was raised in height to 27 meters, and the upper walls were filled with stained glass windows. Remains of the choir screen are displayed in the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame and in The Cloisters. Several of the original Romanesque structures were torn down to make way for this revolutionary new architectural style. The central decoration is sculptural work dedicated to the Virgin Mary donated by the de Barby brothers in 1521. The northern transept is decorated with the Emperor Windows, also referred to as the Kaiserfenster.. The Strasbourg Cathedral is impossible to miss as it towers above the surrounding buildings and is located in the center of the city. It is one of the oldest parts of the cathedral, constructed in about 1170 and then rebuilt in Gothic style in 1230, with the same height as the adjoining nave. In the portal of the Last Judgement, (right) Christ sits on his throne sorting the virtuous from the wicked. 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. Pl. What makes this monument extraordinarily impressive are the steeple with . A door opens from the chapel to an adjoining cloister behind the cathedral. Construction of the new cathedral began on the foundations of the preceding structures. 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. 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. 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. The original construction of the church on its current location started in the year 1015. [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. It houses one of the biggest astronomical clocks in the world, 15. Recent Boards {{ board.name }} {{ board.total_asset_count }} View all Boards View all Sets CREATE BOARD. 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. Strasbourg Cathedral still holds a remarkable record, 7. Is Strasbourg in Germany or France? 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. [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. It is the seat of a Bishop. Walk up 66 meters to marvel at the view of Strasbourg from the top of the clock. Emperior Charles V visits the cathedral in 1552. The pulpit itself, in the form of a very ornate corbeille or basket, is entirely covered with colonettes, gables, pinnacles, and niches filled with sculpture, including images of Christ on the cross, a crowned Virgin Mary, Apostles, the Crucifixion, and well as Kings and doctors of the Church. The design called for a west front taller and wider than the nave behind it. It is a major architectural, historical, and cultural landmark in the city. It also preserves the earliest plans of the cathedral, as well as paintings and tapestries and other objects. [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. 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 In 1524, the city council assigned the cathedral to the Protestant faith, while the building suffered some damage from iconoclastic assaults. Lets take a closer look at some of the most interesting facts about Strasbourg Cathedral. [49], In 2000, an Al-Qaeda plot to bomb the adjacent Christmas market was prevented by French and German police. Different characters, representing the ages of life (from a child to an old man) parade in front of Death. During the French Revolution in the late 18th century, churches in France were in great danger. While the spire is the most prominent feature, the western faade is the most impressive element of the cathedrals design. With its elaborate astrological clock and red sandstone surface, a visit to the Cathedral is a must. 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. The rounded arches of tympanum over the doorway contain sculpture of the Virgin Mary dying, surrounded by the Twelve Apostles and being crowned by Christ. 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. Strasbourg Cathedral de Notre-Dame is known as one of the most beautiful gothic cathedrals in Europe. [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. The Cathedral stands on the exact site of a roman temple built on a little hill above the muddy ground. In 1518, a 'dancing plague' affected around 400 people in Strasbourg, Alsace (Now a city of France . 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! 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. [62][63][64][65][66], The eight-sided tower is three times higher than wide, more elongated than other Gothic towers of the 14th century. .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. It was hoisted up to its present position in 1327. Free or royalty-free photos and images. It was decorated with paintings by the Swiss painter Tobias Stimmer. 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! Above this are blind arcades, an ornate cornice, and then a pointed roof with a pair of dormer or skylight windows, a small window above a large one, on each side, which brought light to the choir below. These include an old bell made by Jean Rosier and Cesar Bonbon (1691). Cathdrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg or Strasbourg Cathedral is the 6th tallest church in the world, built entirely in the medieval period. Strasbourg Cathedral (official French: Notre-Dame de Strasbourg ,German: Liebfrauenmnster zu Straburg, Our Lady of Strasbourg) is the Cathedral in Strasbourg. 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. Most of the stained-glass windows date back to the Middle Ages, 14. 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). As with so many other European Gothic churches, Strasbourg Cathedral was constructed on the ruins of its Romanesque predecessor. Top 10 Little Known Facts about Palais Rohan. pictures from Axis Mundi Design. 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. 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. This mechanism displays the phases of the moon. [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 new building, with its wooden roof beams, was unfortunately prone to fire; it suffered from fires in 1136, 1140,1150, and 1176. This is also true for Ecclesia and Synagoga, arguably the most famous statues of the cathedral, if not of Strasbourg. The Strasbourg Cathedral was built over a period of 424 years The original construction of the church in its current location started in the year 1015. The new plan was inspired in part by French cathedrals, particularly the Basilica of Saint-Urbain of Troyes. Church of St Peter the Young. How tall is Strasbourg Cathedral? Cathedral. [81], The man on the balustrade (south transept). Another two old bells by Mathieu Edel (1787) ring on the quarter hours. The painted figures on the wall represent fathers of the church and founders of religious orders, depicted in Byzantine style. The Strasbourg Christmas markets are located in old Strasbourg, which is located on an island in the middle of the city. Marvel at the oldest Gothic cathedral of Europe with your local tour guide. On the east wall, the windows depict Christ in Majesty, Saint Lawrence, a Virgin and Child, and John the Baptist. [41][42], During World War II, the cathedral was seen as a symbol for both warring parties. This clock functioned until 1788, and can be seen today in the Strasbourg Museum of Decorative Arts. Only those Christian denominations that have bishops have cathedrals. The cathedral has a length of 112 meters (367 feet) and a width of 16 meters (52 feet). Built of red Vosges sandstone, it is a harmonious edifice despite the variety of its architectural styles. [45] During that same war, the stained glass was removed in 74 cases. [36], A series of major reconstructions and restorations were carried out in the second of the century Gustave Klotz[fr] from 1837 to 1888. Many of his writings have not ever been translated. [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. Today, the city is one of the most important cities in Europe as its home to several European institutions, including the European Parliament. Walk through history on a guided walking tour of the Strasbourg Cathedral. The church is located in the Alsace Region in eastern France, 2. 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. 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 . [35] Fragments can be seen in the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame. The cathedral is open from October to March from 10 a.m.. The crossing dome is placed over the meeting point of the transept and the choir, and, like the bell tower, has eight sides. 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. [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 belltower is 142 m high. Formerly the floor of the crossing was filled with tombs of notable religious figures, but they were moved in later reconstructions. 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! Its the capital of the Grand Est region of France in the historic region of Alsace. [83], Animated characters launch into movement at different hours of the day. [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. Strasbourg France Facts 1: the population. This magnificent cathedral is located in the city of Strasbourg in the eastern part of the country. 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. [69] The medieval crossing dome's aspect was altered several times over the centuries. The original statues were replaced by copies in the 20th century and are today kept in the Muse de l'uvre Notre-Dame. Above this is a colourful clock with the signs of the zodiac. It is separated from the nave by two massive pillars, 8.5 by 5 meters, which support the tower above. It lies on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the German city of Kehl . The Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg is the landmark of the city and known in the whole world. Every day at solar noon, Christ and the Apostles go on a procession and the rooster is integrated into the clock crows thrice. The reddish-brown sandstone from the Vosges mountains gives the cathedral its distinctive colour.[8]. Take a moment to yourself in the cathedral; sit in a pew and enjoy the peace.