Interior of Strasbourg Cathedral France: Gothic Masterpiece
Strasbourg Cathedral visit, it is almost a year now we were last there. A magnificent piece of Gothic architecture, the grand interior of Strasbourg Cathedral attracts hoards of tourists and pilgrims every year.
Brief History of Strasbourg Cathedral
Strasbourg Cathedral is popular not just in France but considered one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in the whole of Europe. Long before this cathedral came up a small Roman temple existed in this same site. Work started on this in the year 1015, then renovated in 12th century when Alsace was in the tight grip of Gothic influence. It was converted into a Protestant Church (1521 – 1681) before reverting Catholicism under France’s rule.
Strasbourg Cathedral Interesting Facts
The construction of the cathedral took 424 years. It was completed in 1399 and highlight of the cathedral was its 142-metre spire. It was the tallest building of world for over 227 years. The cathedral was eventually surpassed in height by the St. Nikolai Church in Hamburg, Germany.
However it is still credited to be the tallest church in the world that was completely constructed during the Middle Ages. It is unique and one of those few Gothic cathedrals that have just one tower.
The space around the cathedral is very less and from no point I could capture the entire facade in one frame. This pic below is from one end of the street leading to the cathedral. The facade and door details are fantastic; I presented it in my next post. Check here: Strasbourg Cathedral Door
Interior of Strasbourg Cathedral France
Grand Interior of Strasbourg Cathedral France
West end entrance with it its magnificent rose window.
Interior of Strasbourg Cathedral and Rose window
The interior was dark, in fact darkest of all the cathedrals I have visited. Photography was permitted, with no flash, no stand; I struggled to get good shots. Almost 50% of my pics here have a blur or shake. An eye catching piece there is the large pipe organ fixed high up on the northern wall of the cathedral. It has been there since 14th century. Look at its glow, hard to believe it is so old.
Strasbourg Cathedral Organ
The stain glass windows here are from medieval ages, and I wish it was a sunny day for the cathedral interiors would have been flooded the grand Interiors of Strasbourg Cathedral with colored light streaming in from the windows.
What we missed doing is climbing the Strasbourg Cathedral tower. The cathedral is in the heart of the city and you get mesmerizing views of the city from the tower, I had read. There is a queue for this and usually entrance is on batch basis, they wait till they reach the required count to allow you up. We had to exit as we intended to do a walking tour of Strasbourg. Better be content with sights from ground than birds-eye view from up there.
Strasbourg Cathedral Stained Glass window
Interior of Strasbourg Cathedral – Important Things to see
To summarize I would suggest not to miss out on these interesting sights within the Strasbourg Cathedral.
- Baptistery by Dotzinger
- Romanesque chancel left in remembrance of the original church
- The Great Rose Window
- St. Pancrace’s altar
- 15th century mural paintings
- Pipe organ on northern wall
- Astronomical clock intricately decorated with characters and themes from the bible
- Angel Pillars – See this Pillar of Judgement
- Gallery of Kings
- The sculpture of the dog in the pulpit – It is said that when the Geiler of Kayserberg preached from this pulpit, his faithful friend sat by him.
Strasbourg Cathedral Ticket Price
Entry to Strasbourg Cathedral is free. But some sights within the cathedral require tickets.
Ticket price to take 332 steps of a spiral staircase to a viewing platform for views over the city and beyond cost €5 per person.
At 12.30 PM Monday to Saturday, one can witness the 12 apostle parade of the astronomical clock. The cost of a ticket is €3. Plan a visit immediately after 11 am Sunday Mass to see it for free.
Other things to Do in Strasbourg
Though warm sunny days are good to visit Strasbourg, Winters will be best to see the Christmas splendor there. Plan a visit to Strasbourg during Christmas. Strasbourg’s is one of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets since 1570s. Ever since then it has evolved into a class of its own. During the festive season the entire city is transformed with multiple themed markets, concerts, exhibitions. There is a tourist boom with numbers rising to 2 million visitors per year.
If you have just a day to spare then plan a self-guided free Strasbourg walking tour to make most of your day there. Needless to say the first one to be included is this cathedral.
Plan to spend time at the historic city center, the Grande Île. It was declared UNESCO World Heritage site. Rich in history, there was a constant tussle over its ownership between countries like Germany and France spanning three centuries, between the years 1681 to 1914.
Strasbourg Cathedral Astronomical Clock
Location and How to Reach Strasbourg
Strasbourg, the capital city of the Alsace region in Eastern France, lies two miles from the German border on the other side of the Rhine. Strasbourg is just over 100 km from Stuttgart, 190 km from Bern and 400 km from Paris.
There are frequent trains to Strasbourg from Paris, Stuttgart, Basel, and Colmar. Alternately you can make a road trip to Strasbourg from Paris like we did.
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That's really beautiful snaps. Loved the stained windows.
Beautiful! Couldn't make out the blur or the shake
Visited this church 2 years back. Glass paintings are incredible.
Amazing shots!
beautiful
nice they look … the gr8 captures !!
Brilliant shots. Like the pictures.
That's a great piece of work you have done there. Very beautiful and elegant.
What a wonderful virtual tour! Thanks. This is probably the only way I will ever see these sights.
Lovely cathedral with lovely ornaments! 🙂
Interesting read! Nice captures.
I still find it amazing how they managed to builds those towering cathedrals way back then.
Beautiful capture, thanks for sharing.
How fortunate you are to have seen and photograph this lovely cathedral.
Beautiful interiors. I love the stained glass.
Love those window, Indra!
Colors are so beautiful…
Warm greetings from Holland,
Anna ☼
awesome!
If it's gothic then I'm in. I love the second and second to the last shots best of all.
Purely majestic .
Stained windows are gorgeous!
Looks beautiful ! I have never been there.
very grand!
Welcome Indrani!
Thank you for a wonderful article.
I learned a lot of interesting information.
The cathedral is lovely.
It's great.
I wish you have a nice weekend.
Yours.
Lucia
I think your interior shots are wonderful. The rose window is beautiful, and the organ is absolutely magnificent.
Such beautiful and awesome cathedral! Those windows are amazing! Superb captures as always, Indrani!
Those are beautiful, but the best is the stained windows, fabulous.
Oh, liebe Indrani, das ist eine wunderschöne Kathedrale, danke für diese schönen Bilder…
Umarmung und Grüsse aus der Schweiz
Hans-Peter
Beautiful!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.