Strasbourg Cathedral, or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg, is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture located in the historic center of Strasbourg. Construction of the current structure began in 1176 on the site of an earlier Romanesque basilica, with the iconic single spire completed in 1439. The cathedral is renowned for its intricate pink sandstone facade, which changes color depending on the time of day and weather conditions.
For several centuries, the cathedral held the title of the world's tallest building, a testament to the engineering prowess of the medieval period. Its interior houses a famous astronomical clock, a marvel of Renaissance engineering that continues to draw visitors for its complex mechanical displays and historical significance as a center of both religious and scientific life in the Holy Roman Empire.
Key Facts
- Materials
- Pink Vosges sandstone, Stained glass, Lead
- Civilization
- Holy Roman Empire / Medieval European
- Accessibility
- Ground floor accessible, spire access via stairs
- Date(s)
- 1176 - 1439
- Condition
- Active place of worship, well-preserved
- Original Function
- Catholic Cathedral
- Key Figures
- Erwin von Steinbach, Johannes Gutenberg
Foundations and Romanesque Origins
11th - 12th centuryThe site has hosted religious structures since the Roman era. Following a fire in 1176, Bishop Werner of Habsburg initiated the construction of a new cathedral in the Romanesque style, utilizing the pink sandstone characteristic of the Vosges mountains.
Gothic Expansion
13th - 15th centuryAs the city grew in wealth and influence, the architectural style shifted to Gothic. The nave was completed in the 13th century, and the famous north spire, designed by Johannes Hültz, was finished in 1439, making it the tallest structure in the world at the time.
Reformation and Modern Era
16th century - presentDuring the Protestant Reformation, the cathedral became a Protestant church for a period before returning to Catholic control. It survived the French Revolution and both World Wars with relatively minor damage, undergoing extensive restoration in the 20th century to preserve its delicate sandstone carvings.