Strasbourg (Grand Est

When Venkat's friends pulled him for a day-trip to Strasbourg, we were oblivious of the fact that the city's cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site! It came in a pleasant surprise! Venkat's friend found this trip in Meetup and it was organized by ExpatClub in Brussels. It was a coach trip all the way from Brussels to Strasbourg which took about 4 hrs. So it was an early start and a very late arrival. So, over to Venkat, for an account of this trip!!!

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The focus of the trip was on the Christmas markets which is one of the best in the whole of Europe. Christmas Markets have been big here since 1570 CE, making it one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe and the oldest in Frane. It infact has the nickname, Capitale de Noel (capital of Christmas)!!! It is so awesome that it attracts more than 2 million visitors every year and hotels get booked almost a year in advance!!!!! Mulled wine, is a specialty here. Quite amusingly, while everywhere else, its mulled, warm red wine, here is white!!!!!!

This place is called Grande Île, which literally means 'big island'! Just like Berlin's Museum Island, this too is a large town surrounded river Ill and Canal du Faux-Rempart on either sides. In the heart of the island is Place Kléber where the humongous Christmas Tree has been set-up! Very close to it is the imposing Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg.

This site where the church stands has always been a religious site since 4th C CE. Emperor Charlemagne built a church here, which was burnt down in 1002 CE. Another church was built on this site in 1015 CE which was also destroyed and finally in 1176 CE. the current structure was built. Its beginnings are Romanesque and still the Norman arches can be found in the crypt, the choir, the northern cross, the first level of the southern cross, the double arch of the entrance to the chapel of St. Andrew etc. By 1225 CE, the construction of the Gothic elements began. In early 1300s the towers were built and by 1390 CE the Belfry between the towers was done! The Cathedral was the world's tallest building from 1647 CE to 1874 CE. Today, its the 6th tallest church in the world!

The specialty here is that some of the stained glass windows here, belong to the original structure built in 1176 CE while most other belong to 15th C CE. The northern lateral nave have some of the oldest windows including the Kaiserfenster (emperor windows) depicting the 19 Holy Roman emperors.

Another fascinating feature of the church is ofcourse its Astronomical Clock. The original clock that was here dates back to 14th C CE, and the current one belongs to 18th C CE. It was designed by Jean-Baptiste Schwilgué. He was over 50 years old when he was given the project though he wanted to work on it ever since he was a youngman! It took 5 years to build this exceptional clock, which was inaugurated in 1842 that still runs. Parts of the 1st & 2nd clocks are still in display at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Strasbourg.

Ofcourse, a trip to Strasbourg, can never to complete without a boat-ride in the canal. While a ride in the day-time in good, a ride in the night, during December with the Christmas lights on, is just mesmerizing!

Timings & Entry Ticket:
Free
Mon - Sat: 8:30AM to 5:45PM (11:30AM-12:30AM entry is restricted but only clock can be seen)
Sun: 1:30PM to 5:30PM

Strasbourg (Grand Est - France)

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