Strasbourg Cathedral

Strasbourg Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg) is a Gothic cathedral in Strasbourg, France, notable for its ornate stonework and a spire rising to about 142 metres. Major phases of the current Gothic fabric were completed by 1439.

The interior contains a high nave with medieval stained glass, sculpted portals and a famous astronomical clock with a 19th-century mechanism by Jean-Baptiste Schwilgué that incorporates movable automata. Visitors commonly view the nave, the clock and climb the tower for city panoramas; the public viewpoint is reached by 332 steps.

Construction of the present Gothic cathedral began in the 12th century and continued through the 14th and 15th centuries, replacing earlier Romanesque structures on the site. Over subsequent centuries it has been repaired and restored but remains largely the medieval Gothic church completed in the 15th century.

The cathedral occupies a central position on Strasbourg’s Grande Île, the historic island in the Ill river and the medieval heart of the city; the site is part of Strasbourg’s UNESCO World Heritage area.

• Tower climb: Climbing the tower requires ascending 332 steps to the viewing platform, which provides panoramic views across Strasbourg and, on clear days, distant countryside.
• Height and historic record: The cathedral's spire reaches about 142 metres, and the building was the tallest structure in the world from the mid 17th century until the late 19th century.

What to See #

• Astronomical Clock: Located on the south side of the nave, this 19th-century mechanism replaced earlier Renaissance clocks; it combines movable automata with astronomical functions.
• Nave and stained glass: The main interior space stretching from the western entrance to the choir, noted for its height, ribbed vaulting and stained glass windows dating from the 12th to the 14th centuries.
• Tower and viewpoint: The cathedral's spire and viewing platform reached by a stone staircase; the spire height is about 142 metres and the climb to the public viewpoint is 332 steps, offering panoramic views over the city.