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Published: November 25th 2006
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Strasbourg - The Ponts Couverts
The Ponts Couverts, covered bridges, (which haven't been covered since about 1860),are part of the second fortified wall surrounding Strasbourg, which was built between 1200 and 1250. The 13th century brick towers which guard the entrance to the town, were linked up by wooden bridges, and protected by a roof until the 18th century when they were replaced with the existing stone bridges. Kate and I had the opportunity to visit Strasbourg a few weeks ago. For a town that is over 2000 years old (the first mention of this city dates back to 12 B.C.), Strasbourg looked extremely well preserved. The old town is located on an island, which is surrounded by beautiful rivers and canals. Strasbourg sits at the confluence of the Bruche and Ill rivers and it sits across the Rhine River from Germany. It boasts one of the world’s most stunning cathedrals and its streets, including the Petite France neighborhood, are right out of a fairy tale.
Situated on the Franco-German border, over the centuries, Strasbourg has been passed back and forward between those two countries. Annexed to France in 1681, after centuries of self-rule, Strasbourg was subject to German control from 1871 until the end of World War I and again between 1940 to1944. The result is a city and people with a strong and distinctive local identity, combining the reputed efficiency and work ethic of the Germans with the lightness and sophistication of the French. The name Strasbourg comes from Strateburgum, the city of the roads, because of its strategic geographical position on the west bank of Rue Mercière & the Cathedral
Rue Mercière, the street of notion dealers, leads travelers to the Cathedrale Notre Damn of Strasbourg, the only cathedral in the world with only one tower. the Rhine.
The Cathedral (Cathedrale Notre Dame) is one of the biggest cathedrals I've ever seen, it is right up there with Notre Dame in Paris. It might not be as big but because it is hemmed in by medieval buildings and streets it sure appears massive. It is almost impossible to get a photo of the entire cathedral. Its construction took nearly three centuries, from the oriental parts begun in 1176 to the spire finished in 1439. The spire and the facade are the most remarkable elements of the cathedral. The spire is 142 m (466 ft) height and it was the highest in the Christen world until 16th century when the cathedrals of Ulm and Cologne were built. (Here is your Jeopardy answer) This is the only cathedral in the world presenting one single tower. A second one was planned but never finished (lack of money, decline of interest for religious building in the Renaissance, ...).
Inside the Notre Dame Cathedral, at the south entrance, tourists can admire a wonderfully crafted astrological clock. This was the first clock tower, built in 1352-1354, which still works today, after it suffered a period of breakdowns, waiting for a
West Facade of the Cathedral
The very ornate west facade of the cathedral completely around 1300. good mechanic to do the repairs. The mechanic’s name was Schwilgue of Strasbourg, who has installed the present mechanism in 1842. The clock in the Strasbourg's Cathedral reminds me of the Astrological Clock in Prague. They differ first of all because the one in Prague is on the outside. Every day at 12.30, the clock strikes 12 noon (figure that one out - definitely a French thing) and the elaborate mechanism of the clock gives tourists quite a show. At the third clock chime, the first of two little angels rings a bell, the other angel turns an hourglass and the dance of the figures above starts moving. In the first row there is Death striking the chimes. The different stages of life, which are personified by a child, a teenager, an adult and an old man, pass before Death. Their passage is punctuated by the beatings of wings and the song of a large rooster (in the upper left part of the clock). Christ, who occupies the highest portion of the clock, blesses every one of the apostles as they stop and turn toward Christ as they parade before him, . On the final moments, the Christ figure makes
The Rose Window
On the West face of the Cathedral, above the beautiful west facade, sits the Rose Window. The striking kaleidescope of colours from the Rose Window is quite fantastic, where the excellent stone-work resembles lace. Although it rivals the rose window at Chartres, I believe the rose windows of Chartres cathedral and Notre Dame cathedral in Paris are much more beautiful. the sign of the cross with its right hand, blessing the people. This clock besides telling time, displays the relative positions of the sun, moon, zodiacal constellations, and sometimes, major planets. Besides its many astronomical and calendrical functions, this clock is thought to be the first complete mechanization of the part of the computus needed to compute Easter (They didn’t have calendars telling them when Easter would be).
A beautiful section of the eldest part of the Strasbourg is the Petite France, enclosed between the arms of the river Ill. The name comes from a 16th century hospital where people suffering from the 'mal francais' (the syphilis) were treated (the hospital was thus nicknamed 'Petite France' ) Many of the typical multicolored houses in this pedestrian area are made of cob, clay and timber, most of them are built on pilings. The accented slopes of the roofs are a testimony of the harsh region's winters.
We took a boat trip, which circles the old town section of the city. The boat trip in Strasbourg is mandatory for any one visiting Strasbourg for the first time. From the boat which circle around the Ill River you can admire the
The Pulpit
Finely carved in the late Gothic style, the pulpit was the work of Hans Hammer in 1485. Alsatian buildings lined up along the river, the Petite France, the Ponts-Couverts and the watchtowers. You can also visit the modern district by tour boat, where you can see the European Parliament Building, the city Theater, Place de la Republique, The Palace of Justice and some government buildings.
Strasbourg is also one of Europe's political capitals. It is after World War II, which the idea of European reconciliation led to the founding of the Council of Europe. Strasbourg was selected to be the seat of that institution and became the symbol of European unity and construction. The Council of Europe includes all the democratic states of the Old Continent. All these countries meet in a Parliamentary Assembly to debate on the use of democracy. The European Parliament is the only European Union institution in France and at the 1992 Edinburgh summit, it was confirmed that it would continue to be based in Strasbourg. The Members of Parliament meet once a month in Strasbourg. People in Strasbourg tend to scoff at the Parliament, saying that typically the deputies are only in town two days (and one night) a week, and that the real decisions are made elsewhere. Strasbourg is also
The Astronomical Clock
The Astronomical clock is a mid-19th century version of the original 14th century clock. The key time to see it in action (Parade of the Apostles) is 12:30 (group entrance at the south doorway between 12:00 and 12:20). The seven different stories indicate the month and year, the time by the sun and GMT, while angels turn over hour glasses, a crock crows thrice, and the twelve apostles parade before Christ. home of the European Court and Commission for Human Rights, a judicial body of the Council of Europe founded in 1959. Its goal is to monitor if the bill signed by all member states of the Council of Europe on Human rights is observed. Strasbourg, Geneva and New York share the privilege of being the seat of international institutions without being a state capital.
There is so much to see and do in Strasbourg we recommend everyone who has the chance to visit Strasbourg. There are quite a few places that we did not have time to see or see fully. Strasbourg is a city that Kate and I will definitely plan on visiting again.
Until our next voyage….
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