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Published: October 9th 2008
Maison Kammerzell- Léo Schnug 1427
1589 (upper floors) Renaissance architecture Straßburg: Grande île, originally known as Argentorate with it's history spanning 700,000 years. This celtic civilization of Rhénanie was ideally located in the middle of the Rhine trench. The waterways aided in north-south access from Italy to Holland from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance (12-13th centuries) & is a fine example of Catholic/Protestant co-existence with Franco-German culture.
Gorgeous city! An island on the Ill (ILL) river surrounded by the Vosges Mt's & the Black Forest, one would never know, without being told, it's one of the most atmospherically polluted cities in France. While the mountains & forest block the movement of wind, there is no visible smog, the river appears clean, the scent of the city is fresh... a proper looking city comparable to any in Switzerland as far as I'm concerned- A real feat for the French :D
Unfortunately, this city has known destruction on a grand scale, over & over again. The Romans in 12 BC established a military outpost here, Atilla (Huns) 451 AD (shortly before he died from a nosebleed on his wedding night), Louis XIV "occupation/theft" of the city,then to be ping-ponged back & forth between Germany & France, the mass murder of
16,000 Jews (1300's, I think) for "causing the Black Death", WWII, etc etc.
Probably the most unusual little piece of trivia I know about this city, is the epidemic of the dance mania that took place here in the early 1500's.
While under the rule of the Roman Empire the Dancing Plague consumed the city & thousands took to the streets "dancing" for nearly a MONTH (nonstop!). Most everyone died from stroke, heart failure or sheer exhaustion. It is said this was caused by mass hysteria. I don't buy it, no way. This also struck Belgium, France & Luxembourg in the 1300's. Historical events tell me this was probably caused by something inhaled or ingested such as mold on corn or wheat. "Chemicals" can induce hysteria, but the Bandwagon Effect, Herd Behavior just doesn't cut the mustard for me here.
Speaking of mustard....
Highly recommended restaurants; L'Ancienne Douane, 1358 serving alsatian specialities, GREAT ambiance, family restaurant (with well disciplined children) & Maison Kammerzell- magnificent rooms to dine in with incredible views of the Strasbourg Cathedral. SUPER sauerkraut dishes! Mmmmm 😊
Of course one cannot describe Strasbourg without mentioning it is the home to the European Parliament
Liebfrauenmünster zu Straßburg
Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg & The European Court of Human Rights. Where more & more world events are influenced here & decisions made. Slowly.... but the wheels of "progress" are @ least in motion. Also home to the European Audiovisual Observatory, Council of Europe, European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines, Eurocorps, European Ombudsman of the EU..... a veritable hive of activity.
My heartfelt appreciation to all of those who thwarted the al-Qaeda plot to bomb the Strasbourg Cathedral & it's people.
May Strasbourg thrive on.
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