Sights of Strasbourg. Cathedral in Strasbourg. Where is Strasbourg

When you get into this two-faced city, at first it's difficult to figure out where Strasbourg is. It seems that he belongs to France on the map. Only here half-timbered houses, German on the streets, and the name itself testify: the city is replenishing an endless series of "burgs" of Germany. And this duality is not surprising. After all, the whole province of Alsace, whose capital is Strasbourg, repeatedly passed from Germany to France and back, was the subject of numerous disputes and even wars. But the location in the border zone only enriched this amazing city. Here you can feel the atmosphere of both countries - reconciled among themselves in a single Europe.

What are the ways to come here

Numerous travel agencies offer tours to Strasbourg, but it's much better to go to this mystical city on your own. Slowly walking along narrow streets, stopping on the bridges, you penetrate the atmosphere of this place much more fully than running around it with a noisy crowd of unfamiliar people. How do I get to Strasbourg? There is no direct flight from Russia, but there are convenient connecting routes through Paris, Prague or Amsterdam. The airport is located a few kilometers from the city, and you can get there on the navette train, which runs every quarter of an hour. Proceeding from the proximity to the German border, you can consider this option: by plane to Frankfurt or Karlsruhe, and from there by train or bus to Strasbourg. On the high-speed train TGV the route from Paris to the capital of Alsace takes only two and a half hours.

Where to stay

All the attractions of Strasbourg, with a small exception, are concentrated in the center. The historical part of the city is declared by UNESCO as the world heritage of mankind. Therefore, it is natural that hotels located in old half-timbered houses are not cheap. More democratic housing you will find in new areas, good, since XIV century the city has grown very much. With public transport in Strasbourg, everything is in order. On a tram, which looks like a spaceship, it's worth a ride from purely tourist interest. And to make their stay in Strasbourg and at all budgetary, many seasoned travelers prefer to live ... in neighboring Germany. Having moved to the bridge across the Rhine by bus, you get to the German town of Kehl, where prices - and not only for housing - will be pleasantly surprised. By the way, many French people go there just to have lunch.

Getting to know the city

Our goal is the "Big Island", on which the ancient Strasbourg is located. The map shows that this part of the land, washed by the river Il on all sides, is not so huge as its name says, and it can be bypassed in one day. What do we do first? Before going to explore the sights of the city, we'll go to the tourist information service center. There you can buy "Strasbourg Pass". This ticket will give you the opportunity to visit some museums for free, as well as to ride a river tram at a discount. There are several centers of tourist information in the city, one of them is available at the railway station. The city center is almost all pedestrian, but you can drive to the "Big Island" by tram.

Covered bridges

The seafront St. Jean once represented the outskirts of the city. To get behind the walls, it was necessary to cross the bridge, which was guarded. It was covered, made of wood. Over the course of centuries this material has become dilapidated, and the roof from most bridges has disappeared. Now the river Il is ringed by transitions from a stone. After visiting the church of St. John, we enter the city and get to the embankment of Paris. Further you can advance as you like, without moving away, however, from the river. Each bridge has its own history and is beautiful in its own way. On the way you can see the church of St. Peter the Boys, the Archbishop's Palace and, finally, get closer to the main attraction of Strasbourg - the cathedral. Do not rush inside. Go around the majestic building from the outside, admire the statues on the portal, known from the history books as a classic of medieval art. Now leave the cathedral square, round Rogan's palace and go to the jetty of water trams. You will have a fascinating walk through the canals and locks of Strasbourg.

Short history of the city

These nice boats in the cold time glazed with panoramic windows, so you can take great pictures from the side. You will be transported through all channels, and the audio guide will acquaint you with the fascinating history of the city. After all, without it you can not understand many of its sights. To start with, the very name - Strasbourg - means "a city at the crossroads". Perhaps, the unique position in the heart of Western Europe conditioned the fact that there are important EU institutions here? After all, Strasbourg is not only the capital of the department of Lower Rhine and the province of Alsace. It houses the Parliament and the Council of Europe. But in order to look at these modern and interesting buildings from the point of view of architectural thought, it is necessary to leave the "Big Island". The place for settlement in the early Middle Ages was chosen very successfully. There are so many water in the city that it is not clear even what river flows in Strasbourg. Is this all - Ile? Yes, the very bottom of it. Another kilometer or two - and the river flows into a mighty waterway, the Rhine, which is also part of the state border. But the city also has many artificial canals, locks and dams. From Rhone across the Rhine you can sail to Marne. The abundance of water has also determined the main branch of the city's economy - tannery.

Little France

The water bus will take you to the interesting attractions of Strasbourg. This "Petit Frans" - a whole area, dotted with locks and pretty little bridges. Why such an interesting name? It is not because the French community lived here among the German burghers, as it might seem at first glance. Previously, there was a house of tolerance and worked girls of easy virtue. Disreputable manners respectable German matrons attributed only to French women. In addition, there was also a hospital for the military. It often treated syphilis, which used to be called "French disease". What was it really? Anyway, Petit Frans now wins with its idyllic beauty and tranquility. He is worthy to come here again and stroll along the bridges, along narrow streets in flowers between half-timbered houses.

Cathedral in Strasbourg

The ship approaches the same pier, from where it departs, and so we return to the cathedral. The Church of Notre Dame was built in 1015, and finished in 1439. One of the towers remained unfinished. But this did not prevent the building until the XIX century lead in height among all the Gothic cathedrals. It is necessary to overcome laziness and climb through 300 steps to the observation deck of a single tower. From there, from the 142-meter height, the whole of Strasbourg is like in the palm of your hand. Have you admired the delicate arcades, the Gothic facade, the stone carvings and the sculptures of the exterior? Then we'll go inside. Ancient organ, unique in its beauty stained glass windows, paintings and murals will surely attract your attention. Guess your arrival in the temple by 12.30. At this time begin to beat the astronomical clock. This mechanism of the XVIII century every day gives a "puppet show": 12 sculptors of the Apostles come out and worship Christ, who defeats Death.

Other places of interest in Strasbourg

What else to visit in the city? Museum of the Elsa Culture, Rogan's Palace, Botanical Garden, the ancient Kammertzel House, Vauban Dam, European Bridge. What to try in Strasbourg? Young green Alsace wine, onion pie, German sausages. Still it is possible to glance in a museum of beer and to go by a small street of tanners. By the way, the Christmas market in Strasbourg is the largest in France.