The French city with a typical German name - Strasbourg, has long remained a bone of contention between the two neighboring states. But now it has long become the unofficial capital of a united Europe and a place where the administrative power of the European Union is concentrated. In addition, Strasbourg is the intellectual center of France, the prestigious University of Strasbourg is located here.
The main city of the Alsace region boasts a long and eventful history. In the old quarters there are still churches built in the XII century, and the squares are decorated with picturesque half-timbered houses. There are many interesting museums, beautiful parks and historical monuments in Strasbourg, so the excursion program promises to be bright and interesting.
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What to see and where to go in Strasbourg?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
"Petite France"
A romantic and picturesque quarter, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In the distant 16th century, fishermen and artisans engaged in leather dressing settled here, which is why an unpleasant smell took root in the streets. Now "Petite France" has become an exquisite historic district with half-timbered houses, balconies buried in flowers, quiet alleys and covered bridges across the Ile River.
Kleber square
The square is located in the historic center of Strasbourg and hosts official ceremonies, social events and various celebrations. In the middle there is a monument in honor of the native of Strasbourg - General Kleber. The sculpture was created by F. Grass in the middle of the 19th century. The square is surrounded by picturesque historic mansions that house administrative buildings, restaurants and shops.
Gutenberg Square
The place is named in honor of I. Gutenberg - the world famous inventor of the book printing machine. Thanks to this ingenious invention, Strasbourg gained pan-European fame and became the cultural capital of the region for 200 years. The square is decorated with a monument to the master, which was erected in 1840. Interestingly, no images of Gutenberg have survived, so the sculptor simply invented his appearance.
Strasbourg Cathedral
Cathedral, the construction of which began in the XI century. Previously, there was a Roman sanctuary on the site of the temple. Over the long centuries of history, several styles have been mixed in the architecture of the cathedral - from early Romanesque to late Gothic. One of the main decorations of the cathedral is the astronomical clock of the 14th century. The chronometer dial shows the position and orbits of the planets in the way it was understood in past centuries.
St. Thomas Church
The largest Lutheran church in Strasbourg, built on the site of an early Christian chapel of the 6th century. Until the 16th century, the Church of St. Thomas belonged to the Catholic parish, but thanks to the efforts of the local priest M. Buser, the church became Protestant. The facade of the building is made in a severe Romanesque style with Gothic elements, but the interior interiors are distinguished by their splendor and variety.
Church of St. Peter the Young
Temple of the XI century, which, like the Church of St. Thomas, was seized by the Protestant Church in the XVI century. However, the Lutherans still left the Catholics with a small viper inside the building and separated from them by a wall. So, until the 19th century, services of different branches of the church were held under the same roof, until the Catholic community became cramped and moved into its own building. The interior of the Church of St. Peter the Young is decorated with original frescoes from the 14th century.
St. Paul's Church
A neo-Gothic building located in the central part of Strasbourg. The temple was erected at the end of the 19th century according to the project of L. Müller. During the Second World War, the building was badly damaged by bombing; restoration work began only in the 2000s. The temple belongs to the Protestant community, it was originally built for the German military garrison.
Kammerzel House
An architectural monument of the 15th century, built in the half-timbered style, and later converted in the late Gothic and Renaissance style. The façade has 75 ornate windows depicting scenes from the Bible, mythological characters, signs of the zodiac and images of human feelings. The Kammerzel House is one of the most picturesque representatives of the late German Gothic.
Rogan Palace
Palace of the XVIII century, erected on the site of the old residence of the archbishops at the behest of Cardinal A. M. de Rogan-Soubise, who was bishop of Strasbourg. Architect J. Massol worked on the project of the building. Rohan was often visited by royalty, Louis IV, Marie Antoinette, Napoleon Bonaparte visited here. Today, the palace houses the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and the City Museum of Applied Arts.
Historical Museum of Strasbourg
The museum exposition is located in a picturesque building of the 16th century, which for three centuries served as a slaughterhouse. In 1920, the mansion was given to a museum by order of the city authorities. Among the valuable exhibits are old books, as well as the very Bible made by I. Gutenberg on the first printing press. No less interesting is the collection of ancient weapons, household utensils and interior items.
Museum of Notre Dame
Museum, funded by the Virgin Mary Foundation. This society was created in the middle of the XIII century. Its members have done a lot to preserve the historical heritage of Strasbourg. The Notre Dame Museum exhibits paintings, sculptures, stained glass windows that once adorned Strasbourg Cathedral. Here you can admire the works of I. Strigel, S. Stoskopf, G. Baldung and other masters of the Upper Rhine, creating in the period up to 1681.
Alsace Museum in Strasbourg
Ethnographic exhibition dedicated to the culture, crafts and life of the historical region of Alsace. On the territory of the open-air museum there are old houses in which the interior of the 18th - 19th centuries has been recreated. With the help of enthusiastic enthusiasts, it was possible to collect dishes, interior items, furniture, toys, clothes of people who lived in Alsace 100-200 years ago. Exhibits were searched for in remote villages, literally in storage rooms and attics.
Strasbourg Museum of Modern Art
It is difficult to imagine a tourist European city without its own museum of contemporary art. The Strasbourg Gallery began in the 70s. XX century. For a couple of decades, works of art have been purchased for the museum. Finally, the exhibition was opened, in 1998 the Museum administration managed to collect an excellent collection of objects of modern art created in the late 19th - early 21st centuries.
Children's Science Center "Le Vaisseau"
An interactive entertainment museum, where the achievements of modern science are presented to children in an easy and interesting way. The territory is divided into thematic halls: the animal world, the secrets of sound and image, the human body, water, gardens, construction. The place will be interesting for adults as well, as there is a lot of informative information in the museum, presented in a relaxed, but at the same time memorable form.
Botanical Garden
City park located on a relatively small area of 3.5 hectares. Despite the small area, several thousand plants can be found here. The park was founded in the 17th century on the site of a monastery churchyard for the needs of the University of Strasbourg. According to the established tradition, this place continues to be popular with students.There is a planetarium building on the territory of the garden.
Dam Vauban
The dam was built in the period 1686-1700. with the aim of containing the Il River. Engineer S. Vauban worked on the construction project. It was assumed that in the event of an enemy attack, it would be possible to flood the southern part of Strasbourg. The dam is designed in the form of a covered bridge. The panoramic platform, equipped as a result of numerous renovations, offers an excellent view of the city.
Covered bridges
An architectural ensemble of the 13th century, which once served as part of the defensive fortifications of Strasbourg. It consists of four massive square towers and bridges. Each tower was used for specific tasks (basically, prisons and torture centers were located on their territory at different times). Nowadays, the complex is a very popular and visited attraction of the city; there are always many tourists here.
Old customs building
The structure was erected in the middle of the XIV century, as there was a need for customs control of goods transported along the Rhine. With the advent of customs, a regular collection of tax duties was established. The historic building was destroyed during the Second World War. The restoration took place in the 50s. Today, an art gallery is located on the territory of the former customs house.
Strasbourg train station
The central city station, covered with a transparent glass dome. The station was inaugurated in 1883, in 2006-2007. a grandiose reconstruction was carried out, which cost the city 150 million euros. As a result, the building acquired a larger glass gallery and warm floors. Strasbourg Train Station is an important transport hub in eastern France.
European quarter
A large number of administrative institutions of the European Union are concentrated in Strasbourg: the Council of Europe, the ECHR, the Institute for Human Rights and others (more than 20 organizations in total). The headquarters of these organizations are located in the European Quarter, which covers several districts - Robertsau, Wacken and Orangerie. The first supranational structure appeared in Strasbourg in 1815, it regulated the issues of navigation on the Rhine River.
