The historic and beautiful city of Strasbourg is the capital of the Alsace Region and stands at the ‘Crossroads of Europe’. The city is known for its art and history and offers visitors a rich and diverse heritage, a great range of well preserved historic buildings and a vibrant and varied culture. The city is located between the Vosges Mountains and the mighty River Rhine in the north-east of France within what some consider to be the most beautiful part of the country. Boasting a picturesque ‘Old Town’ which preserves a unique blend of Medieval and Renaissance buildings, the city is a living testimony to the history of the area which reflects heavy influences from both France and Germany as it stands at the crossroads of the Germanic and Romano peoples of Europe. This location has historically seen Strasbourg acting as a unifier within the region which today has been honoured by the establishment of several EU institutions within the city including the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and the European Court of Human Rights. The ‘Old Town’ is located on the ‘Grande Ile’, an island that is formed by the River Ill and the Faux-Rempart canal, and is today recognised for its well preserved Medieval and Renaissance buildings which have been declared a U.N.E.S.C.O. World Heritage Site.
The skyline of Strasbourg is dominated by the spectacular Gothic styled Strasbourg Cathedral and its 142 metre spire. The cathedral was built between the 11th and 15th centuries and houses the famous 18 metre Renaissance astronomical clock which provides viewers with a parade of the Apostles every day at half past twelve. The Cathedral Square is surrounded by beautiful historic buildings many of which are constructed of black and white timber-framing the best example of which is Kammerzell House that dates from 1427 and is considered to be one of the most ornate and well preserved medieval buildings in the city. The picturesque riverside district of ‘La Petite France’ was once home to tanners, millers and fishermen, and here, located amongst the narrow streets, it is possible to discover many more half-timbered houses, especially the popular ‘Tanner House’ which dates from the 16th century. The Medieval period, under the Habsburg dynasty, was a time of great prosperity and several buildings still remain which reflect this affluence. These include the Churches of St Thomas, St Pierre Le Jeune and St Pierre Le Vieux, plus the covered bridges, the buildings housing the historical museum and the Chamber of Commerce. During the 17th century, Strasbourg became a possession of France after the Thirty Years War, from this period on the city was fortified and several major buildings were erected including the 17th century Barrage Vauban and the 18th century Palais Rohan.
Like many European cities Strasbourg is full of culture and is home to several museums and galleries. Three museums are located within the Rohan Palace including the Museum of Decorative Arts which covers the sumptuous apartments of the Cardinals of Rohan as well as a collection of decorative arts of Strasbourg - the Museum of Fine Arts which provides a fascinating overview of European painting - and the Museum of Archaeology. Located near the cathedral can be found the Print Room which houses a collection of over 200,000 works covering five centuries, and the Oeuvre Notre-Dame Museum - on the banks of the River Ill can be found the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art – located on the Quai St. Nicholas is the Alsatian Museum which focuses on the art and folk traditions of the Alsatian people – and on the Rue du Vieux Marche aux Poissons can be found the Historical Museum.
Whilst in the city it is worth noting for families that it is possible to enjoy river cruising on the Ill, or take some time out and have a fun-filled visit to the Parc de l’Orangerie where children can burn off some energy in the play areas, the miniature farm or zoo. For the more adventurous it is also possible to climb to the base of the spire at the Cathedral. Don’t forget one of Strasbourg’s most memorable times occurs around Christmas when the city is lit up and the Christmas Markets bring cheer to everybody.
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