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Strasbourg Cathedral in Alsace, France by Diliff –

10 Best Facts about Strasbourg Cathedral

Strasbourg Cathedral is a Catholic cathedral in Strasbourg, Alsace, France. The construction of the cathedral, which had started in the year 1015 and had been relaunched in 1190, was finished in 1439.  Architect Erwin von Steinbach is credited for major contributions from 1277 to his death in 1318, and beyond through his son Johannes von Steinbach, and his grandson Gerlach von Steinbach, who succeeded him as chief architects. 

The cathedral is located in the city of Strasbourg in the eastern part of the country. It’s the capital of the Grand Est region of France in the historic region of Alsace. It’s also the capital of the Bas-Rhin department. In 1988, the Strasbourg Cathedral was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List along with the historic center of the city because of its outstanding Gothic architecture.

Here are the best facts about Strasbourg Cathedral

1. 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. It took hundreds of years to complete.

The original Romanesque cathedral burned down in the year 1176 and the construction of the modern-day cathedral started shortly after this disaster.

2. The Cathedral is considered to be the epitome of French Gothic architecture

Detail of the facade of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Strasbourg by Gzen92 –

One of the most remarkable facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that even though it’s considered to be the epitome of a church in the Gothic architectural style, the first phase consisted of Romanesque buildings.

The choir and the north transept of the cathedral were completed in a Romanesque style starting in 1176, and it wasn’t until the year 1225 that the switch was made to the Gothic style.

This switch was made under the influence of architects who worked on the Cathedral of Chartres. Several of the original Romanesque structures were torn down to make way for this revolutionary new architectural style.

3. The cathedral was the tallest building in the world for a period of 227 years

The cathedral has a length of 112 meters and a width of 16 meters. The exterior height of the central nave reaches an astounding 40 meters as well.

After the spire of the St. Mary’s 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.

Today it is the sixth-tallest church in the world and the highest still-standing extant structure built entirely in the Middle Ages.

4. There’s a statue of the main architect next to the cathedral

Strasbourg, Cathédrale Notre-Dame by PMRMaeyaert –

The main architect and the man credited with most of the cathedral’s design was Erwin von Steinbach (1244-1318), a German architect.

A monument has been erected in his honor in a town nearby called Steinbach which is part of the town of Baden-Baden, about 30 kilometers to the northeast of Strasbourg. He is also standing just outside of the Cathedral near the southern transept of the church.

5. The western façade is the most impressive element of the cathedral’s design

This façade has been credited to Erwin von Steinback and is considered to be an absolute masterpiece of the Gothic Era.

This massive façade was decorated with thousands of figures giving it a unique and magnificent impression.

6. The cathedral marked a historic moment in architecture

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg by Pedro J Pacheco –

While it’s 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.

Together with the Cologne Cathedral, the façade of the Strasbourg Cathedral is considered to be one of the first buildings in history which made architectural drawings necessary to make it conceivable.

7. The cathedral’s  stained-glass windows date back to the Middle Ages

The cathedral is illuminated by one of the most remarkable collections of stained-glassed windows in the world. 

The northern transept is decorated with the emperor Windows, also referred to as the Kaiserfenster.

These windows consist of 5 sets and depict 19 Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. Most of these windows date back to the 12th and 13th centuries

8. The cathedral houses one of the biggest astronomical clocks in the world

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg by Alexandre Prevot –

Another remarkable feature inside the church is the Strasbourg astronomical clock. It’s the third clock in this location and was installed in the year 1843, with previous clocks dating back to the 14th and 16th centuries. 

With a height of 18 meters, it’s one of the largest astrological clocks of its kind in the world.

9. The cathedral has an observation deck that offers stunning views

One of the best facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that you can get the best view of all on top of the cathedral itself.

The observation deck is located at a height of 66 meters and offers some of the most amazing views of the wonderful city of Strasbourg and its surroundings.

10. Another cathedral had been built at the exact spot of Strasbourg Cathedral 

Back in the day when Strasbourg was referred to as Argentoratum by the Ancient Romans, the site was already occupied by a Roman sanctuary. 

When the Romans were driven out, the original structure was replaced by a temple dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The first cathedral was built on top of this temple and was completed in the 7th century, but nothing of these structures remains today.