5 Historic sights you will see in Strasbourg
Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace Province, has passed between Germany and France for centuries, and each conquering power has left its mark on the religious, architectural, cultural and symbolic style in France’s closest major city to the German border.
Since the capital of the French Grand Est region celebrated the 30th anniversary of UNESCO’s classification of its old city as a World Heritage Site in 2018, Strasbourg has attracted visitors looking specifically to experience the history and heritage of this Ancient city. Strasbourg has been fought over by both French and German governments since 1681 when the established settlement first became a French city after the conquest by King Louis XIV’s armies. The strategic location of the city, connecting France and Germany, has meant that Strasbourg has always been targeted during wars between the two neighbouring countries, but the value that both placed on the city has enabled the city to flourish as a cultural hub with its own cuisine, Alsatian architectural style, language and religious traditions.
Today, Strasbourg is the beating heart of Alsace and the Grand Dame of Southeastern France filled with an endless number of historic sights around every corner. We have picked out 5 of the top historic sights you will see when you visit Strasbourg.
Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg, also known as Strasbourg Cathedral and Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg, is a “gigantic and delicate marvel” according to Victor Hugo, and it towers above the city. The cathedral has a history as eventful as Strasbourg itself and reflects the religious journey that the region has undertaken since the Middle Ages.
Today, the cathedral is a Catholic church and the main focal point for Christianity in Strasbourg, but during the Protestant reformation of Johann Geiler von Kaisersberg preached in the building, followed by Martin Bucer and John Calvin, and in 1524 the cathedral became one of the world’s first Protestant churches. The cathedral was also the first place to display a Christmas tree in 1539.
There is no shortage of standout features inside the building, including the Renaissance High Altar where the world’s first reformation sermons were preached, the Gothic nave, the 19 striking windows of Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, documenting the impact that Germany had on the development of the church. In the south transept of the cathedral, an 18-metre astronomical clock; legend has it that the clock maker had his eyes gouged out after completing the clock so that he couldn’t replicate it elsewhere!
The most noticeable element of the cathedral is the single spire, thought to be the result of the sheer effort of transporting the pink hued sandstone from the Vosges Mountains by oxen. The spire gave the cathedral the title of world’s tallest building between 1647 and 1874, the 6th tallest religious building, and the tallest Medieval structure.
Fortress Towers
The fortress towers of Strasbourg are the defining features of the skyline of the historic quarter of this French city. Strasbourg was once enclosed within walls to protect the city from invaders.
The Ponts Couverts are what is left from the defensive fortifications in this historic city, and they offer an insight into what life was like in Medieval Alsace. The 13th century fortifications cross the four channels of the River Ill and connect four towers that once enclosed the city. Since 1928, these historic fortifications have been listed as Monument historique by the French Government.
When the 3 stone bridges between the four towers were built, they were covered with wooden roofs to shelter the troops who were stationed in Strasbourg during times of war. Now, although the roofs were removed in 1784, the bridges are still commonly known as the covered bridges of Strasbourg. These architectural gems are some of the oldest fortification structures in France, and it is easy to see why the people of Strasbourg are proud to have the Ponts Couverts in their city.
Barrage Vauban
The Barrage Vauban is Strasbourg’s most impressive defensive dam built in the 17th century. The idea behind the barrage was that the lowlands surrounding the inner city could be flooded when Strasbourg was under attack, thus protecting the important cultural and economic capital of Alsace.
French engineer Jacques Tarade designed the dam during a period of French rule in Alsace on the orders of French military engineer Sebastien Le Prestre de Vauban. The barage was built from Vosges pink sandstone, a rare material only found in eastern France.
The 13 arches of the 120 metre bridge can be seen from the inside when you walk through the barrage. Inside there are ancient plaster casts from Palais Rohan on display, and steep winding steps to the terrace where you get an unrivaled view over the spires and ancient suburbs of Strasbourg.
In 1870, when Strasbourg was on the verge of being invaded by Prussian troops during the Franco-Prussian War, the gates of the dam were opened and the suburb of Neudorf was submerged, protecting the city.
Gutenberg Statue
Local legend suggests that Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press, printed his first reproduction copies of the bible in Strasbourg.
The statue is made from bronze on a granite base. Gutenberg stands atop a plinth with four bronze plates that document the influence of the printing press around the world. Plates show Benjamin Franklin signing the Declaration of Independence and Wilberforce freeing the slaves, Chinese people reading the work of Confucius and Rousseau writing down his philosophical works.
In Gutenberg’s hand there is a scroll of the Gutenberg Bible (the 42-line Bible) that has been replaced by French and German conquerers throughout history — written in French during times of French governance of Alsace, and German during German rule — today the scroll is written in French.
Saint Thomas Church
Strasbourg’s Saint Thomas Church is the de facto Protestant Cathedral for the city, and it is as impressive as the Catholic Cathedral in its own way.
Strasbourg was one of the first cities in the world to accept Protestantism, so much so that the main cathedral was Protestant until 1681 when the city was occupied by France and the main cathedral was converted to Catholicism; at this time Saint Thomas Church became the base of Protestantism in Strasbourg.
The design of this church is unique. The ‘hall church’ boasts a rare example of a building where the nave and aisles are on the same level, where their roofs are the same height under a single roof. Inside the church there are countless important tombs and frescoes, inclduing the Gothic fresco of Saint Michael.
Today, Saint Thomas Church is one of two major churches in Alsace and an impressive example of medieval architecture in this historic city.
Strasbourg is one of France’s hidden historic gems. To find out more about the city visit the website of the tourist office of Strasbourg.
