Strasbourg Cathedral

Victor Hugo called it "a miracle, immense and delicate at the same time" - it is the landmark of the city. It took almost three centuries of hard work to complete the structure, which was built of pink Vosges sandstone. One needs some time to admire the magnificent sculptures that adorn the masterpiece of Gothic architecture, both outside and inside. The remarkable stained glass windows also deserve due time. The magnificent rose window above the main entrance has a diameter of 14 meters.

The rich world of figures in the cathedral reveals countless stories to the attentive observer.

The main facade is particularly rich in detail: On its right side portal, the prince of the world surrounded by the wise and the foolish virgins can be seen as the tempter; on the left side portal, the struggle of virtues and vices. The theme of the central portal is the Passion and Resurrection of Christ.

The interior of the cathedral also holds numerous special features. Among the favorites of visitors is the magnificent angel pillar depicting the Last Judgment. Furthermore, the pulpit of the great preacher Johann Geiler of Kaysersberg with its fifty or so figures, an outstanding example of the late Gothic flamboyant style. The main organ with its polychrome, Gothic wooden prospect and the magnificent (mostly still original) stained glass windows from the 13th and 14th centuries, belong to the few ensembles of Romanesque glass art that have survived to this day.

The astronomical clock from 1547 is a real highlight. It is a masterpiece of clockmaking and mathematics from the Renaissance and still amazes us today with its technical subtleties and sophistication. A real hi-tech product of its time.

Particularly impressive is the perpetual calendar, which depicts the movement of the planets on an astrolabe. The best time to visit is around noon: punctually at 12:30, after an angel rings the half hour, the figures of the clock come to life: All the apostles pass by Christ, greeting him, and the four ages pass by the figure of Death.

And then we followed the advice of locals and struggled. We climbed the 330 steps to the cathedral platform and could enjoy the breathtaking view over Strasbourg's rooftops to the Vosges and the Black Forest.

The 66-meter high platform offers not only a magnificent view, but also an opportunity to take a closer look at the spire and the copper roofs of the cathedral. In the guardhouse you can see two wheels from the 15th century, the lifting system for stones at that time, as well as an old clockwork.