Strasbourg, a capital at heart.
Strasbourg cathedral is a challenge to the heavens.
Strasbourg is first and foremost a magnificent cathedral. Some might find it audacious to describe the capital of eastern France in this way.
However, the religious edifice dominates the city so well that everything seems to leave from it.
The cathedral is a historic backbone. In 870, when the town was under German domination, the bishops gradually took control of it.
They began building the first Roman church in 1015. They completed their project with the installation of the spire in 1439.
Over the centuries, Notre-Dame cathedral was enriched and transformed. The additions are remarkable: the pillar of angels, the nave, the rood screen, the three portals and the immense rose window.
Not to mention the magnificent stained glass windows.
Today’s cathedral, a Gothic jewel, has suffered many vicissitudes, starting with fires.
Lisbon-affinities.com recommends a visit to the Musée de l’œuvre Notre-Dame, 3 place du château. It contains some very interesting collections. And above all the statuary relating to the cathedral as well as the architectural drawings. https://www.musees.strasbourg.eu/parcours-musee-oeuvre-notre-dame
The wonder of wonders: Notre-Dame
The cathedral alone is well worth a visit to Strasbourg, capital of Alsace and the East of France.
How can you fail to be captivated by its astronomical clock? It is actually the 3rd clock in the building, the first having been built in 1342.
It contains a number of automata that mark the passage of time: human time and astronomical time. Most of the elements that can be seen today date from the Renaissance period.
The mechanism broke down in 1788. It was not repaired until 1842 by a local lad.
The clock is fascinating… and attracts over 3 million visitors a year. There is an entrance charge (south gate).
Equally fascinating is the stone lace staircase of the pulpit, a work of art in its own right, which hides a little black dog. Having fun discovering it is a good way to get interested in this Flamboyant work of art.
And then you have to look up and let yourself be captivated by the pillar of angels, representing the Last Judgement, which separates the choir from the clock.
With your eyes in heaven, all that’s left to do is stare at the stained glass windows and the immense rose window, also made of stained glass. Most are genuine.
For full details of the tours, visit the tourist office website https://www.visitstrasbourg.fr/
