Strasbourg Cathedral facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Strasbourg Cathedral Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg

Religion
Affiliation	Catholic Church
District	Archdiocese of Strasbourg
Rite	Roman
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Cathedral
Leadership	Archbishop Pascal Michel Ghislain Delannoy
Status	Active
Location
Location	Strasbourg, France
Location in France
Architecture
Architectural type	Church
Architectural style	Romanesque, Gothic
Groundbreaking	1015 (1015)
Completed	1439 (1439)
Specifications
Direction of façade	Southwest
Length	112 metres (367 ft)
Height (max)	32.6 metres (107 ft) (Nave)
Dome(s)	1
Dome height (outer)	58 m (190 ft)
Spire(s)	1
Spire height	142 metres (466 ft)
Materials	Sandstone
Monument historique
Official name: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg
1862
PA00085015
Denomination	Église

The Strasbourg Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg, is a famous Catholic cathedral in Strasbourg, France. It is a stunning example of Gothic architecture, even though some parts are still in the older Romanesque architecture style.

Building the cathedral began in 1015 and was finished in 1439. For 227 years, from 1647 to 1874, it was the tallest building in the world. Today, it is the sixth-tallest church globally and the tallest structure built entirely in the Middle Ages.

The cathedral stands at 142 metres (466 feet) tall. Famous writers like Victor Hugo and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe described it as a "marvel" and a "tree of God." Its unique reddish-brown color comes from the sandstone used in its construction, brought from the nearby Vosges Mountains. You can see the cathedral from far away, even from the Black Forest across the Rhine River!

Since 1224, a group called the Fondation de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame has looked after the cathedral. Their museum, the Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame, shows original art from the cathedral, like sculptures and stained glass.

In 1988, Strasbourg Cathedral and the city's historic center, known as the "Grande Île", became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means it's a very important place for everyone to protect.

A Look at the Cathedral's Past
Outside the Cathedral
Inside the Cathedral
Bells
Tapestries
Cathedral Art in Strasbourg Museums
Key People Connected to the Cathedral
- Burials
Cathedral Size and Details
Furnishings
See Also

A Look at the Cathedral's Past

The story of Strasbourg Cathedral is well known, thanks to old records and discoveries made by archaeologists. They have dug around and under the cathedral many times over the years.

Early Buildings on This Spot

Long ago, around 12 B.C., a Roman town called Argentoratum stood here. It was a busy trading center. Christianity came to the area in 313. The first known bishop, Amand, was active around 346. It is believed that an early Christian church was built here by Clovis I, a king, but we don't know exactly what it looked like.

The first cathedral on this exact spot was built by Bishop Saint Arbogast around 550–575. Later, under Charlemagne, Bishop Remi added an altar and a burial crypt around 778. This early church likely had a wooden roof, but no parts of it remain today.

The Romanesque Cathedral

The Romanesque back part of the cathedral, seen in 1671.
Vaults of the crypt.
Romanesque pillars and arches inside.

In 1002, after a battle, Strasbourg was attacked and the cathedral burned down. Bishop Werner I asked the new Emperor, Henry II, for help. The Emperor gave money to build a new cathedral. In 1015, Bishop Werner laid the first stone for this new church.

This new church was very large, almost as big as the cathedral you see today. It had two towers at the front, a style that became popular later. The church had a wooden roof, which unfortunately made it catch fire many times. Fires happened in 1136, 1140, 1150, and 1176. Each time, the church was repaired, but it kept its strong, thick Romanesque walls and small windows.

Blending Romanesque and Gothic Styles

Drawing A′, around 1260. One of the oldest surviving drawings of the cathedral.

Around 1181, Bishop Heinrich I von Hasenburg decided to build an even more beautiful cathedral. They started building on the old foundations. The original Romanesque crypt was kept and made larger. Architects began adding Gothic features, which were new in northern France at the time.

Between 1200 and 1228, the old Romanesque ceilings in the north transept were replaced with pointed Gothic rib vaults. These vaults were stronger and allowed for thinner walls and bigger windows. This Gothic style also appeared in the sculptures, like the famous Pillar of the Angels.

The main part of the church, the nave, was rebuilt in Gothic style between 1240 and 1274. With the new rib vaults, the nave became much taller, reaching 27 meters. The upper walls were filled with beautiful stained glass windows. The design became even more grand, reaching 32 meters high, similar to the Basilica of St Denis in Paris.

The Tall Tower and West Front

Gerlach von Steinbach: Drawing 5, a 1360s design for the west facade. This is a very large and detailed original drawing.

1277 plan for the west front.
The different stages of building the west front.
View of the cathedral in 1493.
Construction of Strasbourg Cathedral, by Théophile Schuler, 1850.
Strasbourg Cathedral in the Middle Ages, a painting from the 19th century.

The next big project was rebuilding the front of the cathedral, called the west front, in Gothic style. Work started on May 25, 1277. The new plan was inspired by French cathedrals. It called for a front that was taller and wider than the main part of the church. It was designed to have two tall spires, each reaching 122 meters high.

Architects like Erwin von Steinbach and his family worked on it for many years. Later, master builders like Ulrich Ensingen and Johannes Hültz took over. They finished the building in 1439. However, only the northern tower was built, giving the cathedral its unique look with one tall spire.

The north tower was the world's tallest building from 1647 until 1874. Today, it is a famous symbol of Alsace. From its observation deck, you can see for 30 kilometers, from the Vosges Mountains to the Black Forest.

In the early 1500s, the Saint-Lawrence portal on the north side was rebuilt in a style that mixed Gothic with early Renaissance art. Many of the original statues from the portals are now in the Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame to protect them.

The cathedral shows a mix of German and French building styles. Its older eastern parts still have strong Romanesque features, with thick walls and fewer windows.

Later Changes and Challenges

Emperor Charles V visits the cathedral in 1552.
Inside the cathedral, around 1617.
Outside the cathedral in 1617.
Inside the cathedral (1625–30).
The cathedral in 1644.

In the late Middle Ages, Strasbourg became a Free Imperial City, meaning it was independent. The Protestant Reformation brought changes, and in 1524, the city council made the cathedral Protestant. Some statues were damaged during this time.

In 1681, Louis XIV of France took control of Strasbourg. The cathedral was given back to the Catholics and changed inside to fit Catholic worship. Parts like the choir screen were removed, and fragments are now in the Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame.

The French Revolution and 19th Century

Notre Dame of Strasbourg became a "Temple of Reason" during the French Revolution.
Strasbourg cathedral in 1837 with an optical telegraph.
Strasbourg and the cathedral in 1869.
The cathedral in 1885.

During the French Revolution (starting in 1789), church property was taken by the state. Many statues were smashed, but some were saved by being covered up. In 1794, some revolutionaries wanted to tear down the spire, but citizens saved it by putting a giant tin hat on top!

Seven church bells were melted down to make cannons. In November 1793, the cathedral was even called a "Temple of Reason." It was returned to church control in 1801. The French state still owns it today.

Major repairs and restorations happened throughout the 19th century. During the Franco-Prussian War in 1870–71, the roof was set on fire. After the war, Alsace became part of Germany. The architect Gustave Klotz, who was working on the cathedral, became a German citizen to continue his work. He rebuilt the dome over the transept in a grander style.

20th and 21st Centuries

A traditional Mass in the cathedral.

In the early 1900s, cracks were found in a pillar. A big project began in 1915 to replace the cathedral's foundation with concrete, finishing in 1926. In 1918, Alsace became part of France again.

Adolf Hitler visits the cathedral in 1940.

During World War II, the cathedral was important to both sides. Adolf Hitler visited in 1940, wanting to make it a German monument. In 1941, General Leclerc promised to fight until the French flag flew over Strasbourg's cathedral again. The beautiful stained glass windows were removed and hidden in a salt mine for safety. They were returned after the war.

The cathedral was hit by bombs in 1944. Repairs were completed in the early 1990s. In 1956, the Council of Europe gave a new stained glass window, the "Strasbourg Madonna," to the choir.

In 1988, Pope John Paul II visited and held a mass in the cathedral. In 2000, a plan to bomb the nearby Christmas market was stopped by police. Restoration work on the tower finished in 2006, and new work on the south transept began in 2014.

Outside the Cathedral

The West Front

The west front, the main entrance.

The west front is the main entrance. It was built between 1275 and 1399. It has four narrow supports, called buttresses, decorated with sculptures. The front has three levels: the doors at the bottom, a large rose window in the middle, and a railing at the top. The rose window is 14 meters wide and was finished in 1345. Above the rose window, there is a gallery with statues of the Apostles.

The west front looks very tall and delicate because of its many pointed arches, spires, and thin columns. These columns are just for decoration, like harp strings. The dark red stone gives the cathedral its special look.

West Portals

The west portals.
Sculpture above the central door.
Sculpture above the right door.
The foolish Virgins (left portal).

The cathedral has three main doors, called portals. Each portal has a special theme. The left portal shows the birth of Christ. The central portal shows Christ's journey and suffering. The right portal shows the Last Judgement. The sculptures on these portals are from the late 1200s and show a lot of emotion.

The arched space above the central doors is filled with detailed sculptures. They show Christ entering Jerusalem and his crucifixion. The left portal shows angels and saints. The right portal shows Christ judging people.

Unlike older cathedrals, the statues here clearly show feelings. The prophets look serious, the Virgins look calm, and the foolish Virgins look silly. The statues stand on carved bases decorated with zodiac signs.

Portal of Saint Lawrence (North Transept)

The suffering of Saint Lawrence.
The portal of Saint-Laurent, on the north side.
The three Kings with the Virgin Mary and child.
Original statues in the Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame.

The portal of Saint Lawrence was added to the north side between 1495 and 1505. Most of the statues you see there today are copies. The originals are in the Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame. This portal has a very detailed, late Gothic style, with three arches over the doors. It includes a statue of Saint Lawrence during his suffering.

Portal of the Virgin (South Transept)

The death of the Virgin Mary.
Portal of The Virgin (south transept).
Mary goes up to Heaven.
Sundial (1493).

The south portal, or Portal of the Virgin, is from the 1220s. Important decisions were often announced in front of this doorway. The sculptures above the door show the Virgin Mary dying, surrounded by the Twelve Apostles, and then being crowned by Christ. The original statues were destroyed during the French Revolution.

Above the portal, there are windows and a colorful clock with zodiac signs. There's also an original sundial from 1493. Many of the statues here are also copies, with the originals in the Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame. This includes the famous statues of Ecclesia and Synagoga.

Octagonal Bell Tower and Spire

General view of the cathedral.
Lower part of the octagonal tower and spire.
The octagonal tower and spire from far away.
The spire.
Top of the spire.

The cathedral was meant to have two towers at the front, but only the north one was built. The eight-sided tower was started in 1399 and finished with its spire in 1439.

The tower is very tall and slender. It has four smaller towers with circular stairways. The tower walls have tall openings that show the bells and let light in. The spire above the tower has eight detailed sections, connected by arches. A stairway inside leads to the top. The very top has a cross and other religious symbols.

Crossing Dome and Chevet

Photograph, around 1850.
The dome over the transept.
The dome being built, 1878 or 1879.
Romanesque arches beneath the dome.
The Romanesque back part of the cathedral, seen from a courtyard.

The crossing dome is above where the transept and choir meet. It has eight sides and was built around 1330. The dome you see today was designed by Gustave Klotz after the original was damaged in a war. It was damaged again in World War II and repaired between 1988 and 1992.

The back end of the cathedral, called the chevet, has parts from the original Romanesque cathedral. It is the plainest side of the building. It has narrow windows, like a medieval fortress. Two chapels, dedicated to Saint Andrew and Saint John the Baptist, are attached to the sides of this area.

Inside the Cathedral

Plan of cathedral – different colors show when parts were built.

Narthex

The entrance area and massive pillars supporting the tower.
Inside the entrance, looking down.
Inside the entrance, looking up.
Inside the west front doors, with a statue of St. Peter.

The narthex is the entrance area, just inside the main doors. It is under the tower. Two huge pillars, 8.5 by 5 meters, support the tower above. The main decoration here is the rose window, added between 1320 and 1340. It has yellow glass rays like the sun, surrounded by green and blue. The inside decoration here looks like the outside, with delicate vertical lines.

The back of the central doors has a statue of Saint Peter holding keys. Above it is a small, decorative rose window without glass.

Stained Glass in the Narthex

The rose window in the narthex.
A close-up of the rose window.
The creation of Adam and Eve (Narthex) (1280–1345).

The lower windows on the south side show the Last Judgement. The north side windows show twelve stories from the Book of Genesis, like the creation of Adam and Eve, and Noah's ark. These windows are from around 1345.

Nave

The Nave, looking toward the altar.
The three levels of the nave: arches, gallery, and upper windows.
Side of the nave and side aisle.
Northern side aisle.

The nave is the main part of the cathedral where people sit. It is 61.5 metres (202 ft) long and 16 metres (52 ft) wide, with two side aisles. It is 32.616 metres (107.01 ft) tall to the ceiling. Its reddish-brown color comes from the sandstone used to build it.

The nave has two rows of huge pillars. Each pillar has sixteen smaller columns that reach up to support the ceiling. The ceiling has small sculpted heads where the ribs meet. The walls have three levels: large arches below, a narrow gallery called a triforium, and tall windows above that reach up to the ceiling.

Nave Stained Glass - The Emperor Windows

A set of "Emperor" windows.
The head of Charlemagne.
Emperors Philip of Swabia, Henry IV, Henry V, Frederick II.
Henry II of Bamberg.

The lower windows on the north side have some of the oldest stained glass, from around 1180. These windows show nine Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. Each emperor holds a scepter and an orb, showing their power. Some windows combine glass from different times. The small round windows above the emperors show scenes from the life of Christ.

The upper windows of the nave show eighty-four saints, added between 1250 and 1275. On the south side, the upper windows show female saints. On the north side, they show soldiers, popes, and bishops.

Pulpit

Pulpit by Hans Hammer (1485).
Detail of the pulpit sculpture.
Another detail of the pulpit.
The dog of the preacher Johann Geiler von Kaysersberg, mourning his master.

The pulpit, where sermons are given, was carved in 1485. It has a winding staircase and is covered with small columns, spires, and sculptures. These sculptures include Christ, the Virgin Mary, Apostles, and kings. A statue on the side shows a famous preacher, Johann Geiler von Kaysersberg. A small sculpture on the stairs shows his dog, looking sad for his master.

The Grand Organ

An angel decorating the organ.
The front of the organ.
Moving figure of Samson and a lion.

The grand organ is high on the north wall of the nave. It has been rebuilt many times since 1260. The organ is very ornate, with spires and sculptures. Below the organ, there's a moving figure of Samson opening a lion's jaws. Other moving figures include a trumpet player and a pretzel seller.

The Silbermann organ, rebuilt in 1716, had three keyboards and many pipes. It has been updated several times and now has 47 different sounds. The cathedral also has two smaller organs.

North Transept

The baptismal font by Jost Dotzinger (1453).
Judgement of Solomon window in north transept.
Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist (12th century).
North transept rose window.

The transept and the area around the altar are a bit higher than the nave because they are built over the Romanesque crypt. The central dome is supported by four giant pillars. These pillars are decorated with carved plants.

The Romanesque north transept was the first part of the cathedral to get Gothic rib vaults. The windows here have glass from different centuries. They show stories like the Tree of Jesse (Christ's family tree) and the judgement of Solomon. The two rose windows above are from the 14th century.

The north transept also has two baptismal fonts, made in 1453. The main artwork here is a large statue of Christ on the cross, above a scene of the Mount of Olives.

South Transept

Pillar of the angels.
Angel with a trumpet.
The man on the balustrade (south transept).

In the south transept, the windows were built between 1220 and 1227. A balcony for singers and a railing were added in the 15th century. A sculpture of a head, possibly an architect, looks out from the railing. Below the railing is a large painting of the Nativity (birth of Jesus) from the 15th century.

The South Transept has the famous Pillar of Angels. This huge pillar supports the ceiling. It is decorated with statues showing scenes from Christ's life and the Last Judgement. There are also angels holding symbols of Christ's suffering and angels blowing trumpets. At the bottom are statues of the four Evangelists. This pillar was made in the mid-13th century.

The rose windows on the west side of the transept were made between 1230 and 1235. They show religious symbols and designs.

Astronomical Clock

The Astronomical Clock.
Multiple faces of the clock - stars and hours.
One face of the clock - signs of the zodiac.
Moving figures of the clock.

The astronomical clock, in the south transept, is one of the cathedral's most famous features. The first clock was here from 1352 to 1500. It had three mechanical kings who would bow to baby Jesus at noon.

A new clock was started in 1547. It had more moving figures and was decorated by the painter Tobias Stimmer. This clock worked until 1788 and can now be seen in the Strasbourg Museum of Decorative Arts. The clock you see today was built by Jean-Baptiste Schwilgué between 1837 and 1842.

The clock is 18 m (59 ft) tall and shows much more than just the time. It also shows solar time, the day of the week, the month, the year, the zodiac sign, the moon's phase, and the positions of several planets. The lower part has statues of Apollo and Diana, and a calendar that shows religious holidays.

Above this, mechanical chariots with figures representing the days of the week move each day. There's also a celestial globe that shows the stars and turns every 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds.

The central tower of the clock has three levels. At the bottom, figures of the Four Seasons surround a mechanical astrolabe that shows planet locations. Above this, a globe shows the phases of the moon. The top levels have animated mechanical figures. An angel rings a bell, another turns an hourglass. Figures representing different ages of life parade in front of Death. Finally, the Apostles pass in front of Christ. These moving figures come to life every day at 12:30 pm, except Sundays.

Apse

The choir and apse of the Cathedral.
The apse, with the Virgin of Alsace window (1956).
Crowning of Mary, by Eduard Steinlé in the ceiling of the apse.
The main altar.

The apse is the rounded area behind the main altar. It mixes Romanesque and Gothic styles with 19th-century decorations. The paintings on the walls and ceiling, done in 1877–79, look like Byzantine mosaics. They show important church leaders.

In 2004, some old furniture was returned to the apse, including choir stalls from 1692. The stained glass window in the center of the apse shows the Virgin of Alsace. This window was a gift from the Council of Europe in 1956. The original window was destroyed during World War II.

The main altar is a recreation of an older altar that was damaged. It uses white and black marble.

Chapel of Saint John the Baptist

Canon Conrad de Bussnang praying to Virgin and Child.
Detail of Virgin and Child.
The chapel in the 14th century (19th-century drawing).
Tomb of Bishop Conrad de Lichtenberg (1310–20).

The Chapel of Saint John the Baptist is to the left of the apse. It is one of the oldest parts of the cathedral, built around 1170 and rebuilt in Gothic style in 1230. It holds the tomb of Bishop Conrad de Lichtenberg, made between 1310 and 1320. It also has the tomb of Conrad de Bussnang, shown praying to the Virgin and child.

Chapel of Saint Andrew

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. It was built shortly after 1150. It has memorials to six church officials. The main decoration is a sculpture dedicated to the Virgin Mary from 1521. A Romanesque door opens to the cloister outside.

Crypt

The larger crypt (12th century).
Capital of a crypt column, with monsters.

The cathedral has two Romanesque crypts, which are the oldest parts of the building. The newer one is under the transept, from around 1150. The older one, under the apse, was built around 1110 to 1120. They have rounded ceilings supported by huge pillars and columns. Some columns have carved monsters and lions. The larger crypt has three sections.

Bells

The hour bells visible in the tower.

The bourdon, the largest and deepest-sounding bell.

In 1519, Strasbourg Cathedral ordered a huge bell, said to be the largest in Europe. It weighed twenty tons but cracked soon after. Its place as the largest bell, called the "bourdon," was taken by an older bell, the "Totenglock" or "Death bell." This bell, weighing 7.5 tons, was made in 1447 and is still there today.

During the French Revolution, nine bells were melted down for cannons. But the "Totenglock" and another bell, the "Zehrnerglock" (made in 1786), were saved to ring the hours and act as alarm bells. More recently, six new bells were made between 1974 and 1976. Two other bells are from 1987 and 2006.

The four bells in the octagonal tower ring on the hour. Other bells ring on the quarter hours. Six bells under the Klotz tower roof ring for weekly masses, baptisms, marriages, and deaths.

Tapestries

The cathedral has fourteen tapestries that show the life of the Virgin Mary. They were originally made for Notre Dame de Paris between 1638 and 1657. Strasbourg Cathedral bought them in 1739. They are usually hung in the nave during Advent.

Cathedral Art in Strasbourg Museums

Original part of the façade in the Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame.
Original statues of the Tempter, the foolish Virgins and the wise Virgins from the right façade portal.
Bust (around 1500) by Nikolaus Hagenauer.
Parts of the original astronomical clock (Strasbourg Museum of Decorative Arts).

The Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame is a museum near the cathedral. It displays some of the cathedral's most delicate original sculptures and artworks. These include 13th-century statues from the portals, like "The Church" and "The Synagogue." The "Synagogue" statue is blindfolded, symbolizing that Jews did not recognize Christ's divinity. The museum also has the earliest plans of the cathedral, paintings, and tapestries.

Other items from the cathedral, including parts of the original astronomical clock, are in the Musée des arts décoratifs de Strasbourg.

Key People Connected to the Cathedral

Johann Geiler von Kaysersberg, a famous preacher (1478–1510)
Matthäus Zell, preacher (1518–1523)
Caspar Hedio, preacher (1523–1550)
Johann Conrad Dannhauer, priest (1633–1666)
Philipp Jakob Spener, preacher (1663–1666)
Franz Xaver Richter, music director (1769–1789)
Ignaz Pleyel, music director (1783–1795)

Burials

Conrad de Lichtenberg

Cathedral Size and Details

Flying buttresses on the southern side of the cathedral.

The square and façade from the observation deck.

Here are some measurements of the cathedral:

Total length: 112 m (367 ft)
Total length inside: 103 m (338 ft)
Height of spire: 142 m (466 ft)
Height of observation deck: 66 m (217 ft)
Height of crossing dome: 58 m (190 ft)
Outside height of central nave: 40 m (130 ft)
Inside height of central nave: 32 m (105 ft)
Inside width of central nave: 16 m (52 ft)
Inside height of side aisles: 19 m (62 ft)
Inside height of narthex: 42 m (138 ft)
Outside width of west front: 51.5 m (169 ft)
Diameter of west front rose window: 13.6 m (45 ft)
Main construction area: 6,044 m² (65,060 sq ft)
Copper-covered roof area: 4,900 m² (53,000 sq ft)
Tile-covered roof area: 600 m² (6,500 sq ft)
Slate-covered roof area: 47 m² (510 sq ft)

Furnishings

Over the years, many of the cathedral's original features have been lost or changed due to different historical events. These include changes during the Protestant Reformation, the French Revolution, and wars. However, many treasures still remain inside. Other pieces, or parts of them, are now displayed in the Musée de l’Œuvre Notre-Dame.