8th Grade Webpage
Strasbourg: History
http://www.ipernity.com/doc/jacquespfjc/3913164
When Strasbourg was first built in 1015, it was at the suggestion of
Bishop Werner von Habsburg. The original version was not Gothic, and built just above
marshy grounds where a Roman temple had once stood. However, a fire
destroyed the majority of the building some years later, and towards
the end of the 12th century, renovation was scheduled. During this
time in Europe, Gothic architecture was growing increasingly popular.
The plans for the cathedral strongly reflected this thriving style.
Even the sculptors and stonemasons hired to work on the cathedral
specialized in creating Gothic works of art. In 1284, Erwin von
Steinbach was selected to work on the cathedral. He designed the
cathedral's main entrance and western front. His successors include
Ulrich von Ensingen of Ulm and Johannes Hültz from Köln. Ensingen
designed the northern spire, which had an octagonal base, in 1399. He
died before its completion, however, and Hültz finished the job. The
cathedral's funding at first depended on a local bishop. However, he
was removed from office before the construction was finished. The
cathedral was then compelled to rely on private contributions, often from its own workers, to
purchase their building materials.
In 1521, the Protestant Reformation swept through France. The formerly Catholic cathedral became Protestant. It remained this way until 1681, when the church was once again made Catholic. It was then dedicated to the Virgin Mary, which would later show in the cathedral's art when the church was renovated.
When the French Revolution came to France in 1793, the cathedral was put in serious jeopardy. Over 235 of the church's statues were destroyed by angry mobs. The cathedral's lone spire was also targeted, and was only saved through the simple but ingenious idea of placing an enormous cap of steel over the spire. This caused the damage to the spire to be both minimal and reparable.
The cathedral was worked on further in 1788 and 1789. A large Romanesque dome was built along with the rest of the Gothic building.
Today the church remains Roman Catholic. The 142 meter building dominates Strasbourg, and calls forth thousand of tourists every year.
In 1521, the Protestant Reformation swept through France. The formerly Catholic cathedral became Protestant. It remained this way until 1681, when the church was once again made Catholic. It was then dedicated to the Virgin Mary, which would later show in the cathedral's art when the church was renovated.
When the French Revolution came to France in 1793, the cathedral was put in serious jeopardy. Over 235 of the church's statues were destroyed by angry mobs. The cathedral's lone spire was also targeted, and was only saved through the simple but ingenious idea of placing an enormous cap of steel over the spire. This caused the damage to the spire to be both minimal and reparable.
The cathedral was worked on further in 1788 and 1789. A large Romanesque dome was built along with the rest of the Gothic building.
Today the church remains Roman Catholic. The 142 meter building dominates Strasbourg, and calls forth thousand of tourists every year.
