Travel
The automatons are put into operation at 12:30PM daily. Entrance is not free of charge, but it is included in the Strasbourg Card. One angels sounds the bell, while another turns over the hourglass. The Apostles pass in front of Christ. Characters representing the ages of men parade in front of the Death. The movements are short and swift. You really need to know where to look or your would miss them.
On a clear day, from the cathedral's platform, Vosges Mountains in France and the Black Forest in Germany can be see.
We visited Strasbourg in collaboration with the Strasbourg Tourism Board. For the purpose of this article we used the Strasbourg Card to both go up the cathedral and see its astronomical clock. Nevertheless, all opinions are entirely our own and based on our personal experience.
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Travel
In, Up and Around Strasbourg's Cathedral
Strasbourg is a wonderful mix of medieval past and progressive future. A fairy-tale like city that hosts the seat of the European Parliament and the Court of Human Rights. A clash of titans kind of place, where France and Germany collide to create something infinitely beautiful.
The 12th Century Cathedral
We start our Strasbourg visit with the majestic Gothic Cathedral. It's not uncommon. Notre-Dame de Strasbourg is like the proverbial flame moths are so attracted to. It is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture we've seen so far in our travels and the tallest still-standing structure built entirely in the Middle Ages. It's not an understatement if I say every inch of its pink sandstone facade is covered in incredibly detailed sculptures.
It served as inspiration for the Cologne Cathedral and just like this one, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with all the fascinating streets on Grande Ile of Strasbourg. The second spire was never build and for this, Notre-Dame de Strasbourg offers a peculiar sight.
The Astronomical Clock
The interior of the cathedral hosts one of the largest astronomical clocks in the world. Its sculpted figurines can be admired throughout the day. Nevertheless, the incredible mechanism behind it remains hidden to the commoners eyes.
The astronomical clock shows the official time, the astronomical time, the day of the week, the moth, year, zodiacal signs, phases of the Moon and the position of the planets. It is a masterpiece of an incredible precision created long before any computer, at the beginning of the 19th century. Legend has it the clock maker had his eyes gouged once the clock was completed, to prevent him from making a similar one.
The views from atop the cathedral
There are 332 steps up to the platform and climbing the narrow spiral staircase is a thrilling experience. Of course, it's not for everyone. Though, honestly, I highly recommend it due to its perfect organization - there are two sets of stairs, one for going up and another for going down on the other side of the building, so visitors would never collide. Also, given the amount of physical effort involved, not many people seem willing to climb all the way up, therefore nobody's pushing nor hurrying anybody.
The light show
At nightfall, the pink sandstone and elegant sculptures of Notre-Dame come to life every 20 minutes. The show is held in summer during the months of July and August mostly.
The show is free of charge and it starts with a short presentation in French, followed by a light painting show on the cathedral's facade, accompanied by music. It is pretty awesome to see and the atmosphere is magical.
The show is free of charge and it starts with a short presentation in French, followed by a light painting show on the cathedral's facade, accompanied by music. It is pretty awesome to see and the atmosphere is magical.
The Cathedral Square
The Cathedral Square is a lively place flanked with gorgeous half-timbered houses, terraces where both wine and beer are tremendously popular, and some of the most charming souvenir shops I've ever seen. Seriously!
I could have spent days on end here. Some of the shops spread across a few floors and you can have a special insight into some of those half-timbered houses, which makes the shopping experience even more exciting.
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| Maison Kammerzell |
Other houses host fine restaurants, like the incredible looking Maison Kammerzell with its painted walls and beautifully sculpted wooden beams - probably the most beautiful house in Strasbourg, situated just across the cathedral's tower.
Also the famous Strasbourg Christmas Market is held in this square. Strasbourg sells itself as the Capital of Christmas and the sights as well as the merchandise must be enchanting.
Another curiosity, especially for the cat lovers, is a certain antiques shop down the street from the Tourism Office that has a guardian cat. Be it night or day, the cat is left to roam freely among the expensive pieces of art. They used to have a dog for the job, but since recently the cat has taken its place. Way to go, kitties!!
We visited Strasbourg in collaboration with the Strasbourg Tourism Board. For the purpose of this article we used the Strasbourg Card to both go up the cathedral and see its astronomical clock. Nevertheless, all opinions are entirely our own and based on our personal experience.
- The Great Christmas Market Tour Of Europe
Christmas time is an open door that permits a brief return to innocence. The magic dwells in the flavours and smells, the glittering lights, the rainbow of colours and the childish laughter. I love Christmas not for what it is or represents, but for the...
- Discovering The Magic Of Strasbourg From Loft 13
Strasbourg is one of those places that is magical any time of the year. However, during the holiday season, all those attributes that make it unique are enhanced. The Christmas spirit lives on here, and the locals put in an extra effort to decorate...
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It was in Strasbourg in the middle of the 15th century that Gutenberg perfected and unveiled the printing press. Today, the city celebrates him with a bronze statue in a square named after him and a pretty hotel bearing his name. Location Hotel...
- 3 Reasons To Visit The Largest Cathedral In The World
The nights of May in Seville are wonderfully warm and pleasant and we slept like angels. And that was fortunate, as on the second day of our trip to Seville, my husband and I had lots of sightseeing to do. We started with the much celebrated Cathedral...
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