See Strasbourg Cathedral in France
Visit the Gothic Cathédrale Notre Dame with Astronomical Clock
The single-tower Strasbourg Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre Dame) in France is a Gothic masterpiece with a remarkable astronomical clock and medieval stained-glass windows.
Strasbourg Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg) is one of Europe’s greatest churches. This prime example of Late High Gothic architecture and art is worth a journey even for travelers with no interest in religion.
Construction of the Strasbourg Cathedral
Like most Gothic churches, Strasbourg Cathedral was constructed in several stages over several centuries. Plans changed frequently.
Construction of the Gothic cathedral started after its Romanesque predecessor burnt to the ground in 1176. The bishop wanted to outdo the Romanesque cathedral in Basel and by using the newly fashionable Gothic style the builders masterfully succeeded.
The lower two stories of the western façade, designed by Gothic master builder Erwin von Steinbach (c. 1244-1318), are clearly of higher artistic merit than the third. During the 14th century, the third story was added to fill in the space between the two uncompleted towers. Plans were then changed to make do with a single central tower.
However, Ulrich von Ensingen, the master builder responsible for Ulm Cathedral, added the airy, slender north tower, which was completed in 1439. Victor Huge considered this spire the true triumph of the church. In the end, a second tower was never built giving Strasbourg Cathedral its characteristic unsymmetrical profile that can be seen long before the traveler reached the city.
- In 1521, Strasbourg cathedral – like the one in Basel – became a protestant church but returned to Roman Catholicism in 1681 when Strasbourg became part of France.
The north tower is 144 m (472 ft) high – on a clear day, the views from here can be as far as 30 km (20 miles). This tower was the highest construction in the world from 1625 (when St Olav’s spire in Tallinn burnt down) until 1874 (completion of the Nikolaikirche in Hamburg).
The Exterior of Strasbourg Cathedral
The artistic highlight of Strasbourg Cathedral is its wonderful western façade facing Place de la Cathédrale. The intricate, delicate carving and statues make the reddish-pink sandstone appear almost lace-like. Statues and gargoyles abound.
The tympanums illustrate scenes from the bible including the childhood and passion of Christ and symbols of good and evil. The theme of the Gallus Portal at Basel Cathedral of the foolish and wise virgins is repeated here. Over the main portal are statues of King Solomon, the twelve apostles, and twelve lions.
The Interior of Strasbourg Cathedral
Strasbourg Cathedral has a Gothic triple nave although the choir and transept still show some Romanesque features from the earlier church. Notable artworks from the fifteenth-century include the baptistery by Jodokus Dotzinger and the magnificently carved sandstone pulpit by Hans Hammer. Look up to see the swallow nest for the Silbermann organ high up in the nave.
However, the stained-glass windows are the true highlight of the interior of Strasbourg Cathedral. Huge sections use the original glass, which was removed for safekeeping during the Second World War – a fortunate precaution as the cathedral was lightly damaged by bombings in 1944. The 15-m (almost 50-ft) rose window in the western façade is the original design but uses nineteenth-century glass.
The Strasbourg Astronomical Clock
The most famous item inside Strasbourg Cathedral is the 18 m (60 ft) high Strasbourg astronomical clock (Horloge Astronomique) in the south transept. It is one of the largest and most important of its kind in the world.
Most of the astronomical clock is sixteenth-century Renaissance but it incorporates parts from an earlier, fourteenth-century clock, while the mechanism is from 1842. It plays daily at 12:30 pm and shows amongst others a life cycle, moving planets, Christ with his apostles, and a crowing rooster.
- Admission to see the astronomical clock in action starts at 11:20 am. Tickets can be bought from the postcard stand from 9 am.
Strasbourg Cathedral is open daily from 7 am to 7 pm but closed for the astronomical clock display from 11:20 am to 12:40 pm (and during services). Admission is free but charged for the astronomical clock and to climb the tower.
- Strasbourg has many other top sights worth seeing in addition to the cathedral. It is possible to fly to Strasbourg from many European cities but trains and buses are often better transportation options.
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