Page 19 - DIVA_1_2016

INTERNATIONA

STRASBOURG Celebrates its Cathedral Millennium: 10 15-20 15

Since the Middle Ages, the city of Stras- tween France and Germany. Since 1949 sculptures and art forms; it was the high-
bourg has occupied a strategic position the city has expanded to incorporate the est building in Christendom up to the
in Europe with its distinctive character headquarters of several European insti- end of the nineteenth century. The top of
based on two major influences: French tutions: the Council of Europe, the Eu- the tower is built at a height of 66 metres
and German. The city is located on the ropean Court of Human Rights and the and the single spire reaches 132 metres,
River Ill and is an important inland port. European Parliament. topped by its ten-metre high point. Thus,
It is situated in Alsace in north-eastern the upper part of the Cathedral tower
France close to the border with Germany Strasbourg hosts the oldest Christmas (excluding the spire's point) is exactly the
and is recognized as one of the finest cit- market in Europe dating from 1570 and same height as the lower part.
ies on the "Old Continent' It has a treas- described as a unique feast for the eyes
ure of architectural styles and a variety of and for the soul. In recent years, the The platform at the top of the tower is ac-
parks and gardens to explore. month-long Christmas market has been cessible via a 332-step staircase. The su-
extended to areas across the city with dec- perb view from the platform extends far,
Originally a Roman camp called Argen- orative lighting to enhance the impact of including the city's roofs in the centre, the
toratum, it first served as a defensive fort. the many stalls adding to the magic of the Alsace Plain, the Vosges and the Black
In 1262 Strasbourg became a free city of the event. The city organizes numerous activi- Forest. A few of the cathedral's many
Germanic Holy Roman Empire and, behind ties on the theme "Strasbourg: Capital of characteristics are the rich sculptures of
its fortified walls, power gravitated around Christmas" with concerts, shows, exhibi- the three Doors, the Rose Window (Es-
the emblematic Pfalz or town hail. Stras- tions, actions in favour of solidarity and cutcheon) featuring a decoration of thir-
bourg was annexed by Louis XIV in 1681 other special events. ty-two ears of corn symbolizing the rich-
due to its strategic importance on France's ness of the city during the Middle Ages,
eastern flank. In 1792 the city suffered badly In addition to Strasbourg's rich cultural the Apostles' Gallery just above the Rose
during the French Revolution. In 1870, af- heritage through the centuries, the city's Window depicting the twelve disciples in
ter the Franco-Prussian war, Strasbourg was historical centre, "Grande-Ile' became a a line. Its rich interior includes the Great
annexed to the newly established German UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988. Organ, the Pulpit intricately constructed
Empire. The city was rebuilt and developed Constructed in pink sandstone and de- out of a single piece of stone, the Astro-
a grand and ornamental style. After the 1918 scribed as "the jewel in the crown' No- nomical Clock with a mechanism that is
Armistice ending the First World War, Al- tre-Dame Cathedral is a monumental unique in the world - a precious works
sace became French once more - but that's and inspiring sight. During the recent of art. At 12.30 each day its automata
not the end of the story. Millennium of the Foundations of the come to life in the fascinating "Apostles
Cathedral, 1015-2015, many spiritual, Parade' The An-
Following the German invasion of Po- musical and cultural events were organ- gel Pillar nearby is
land in September 1939 the entire city ized to celebrate its 1,000th anniversary, considered a mas-
was evacuated, but with the fall of France including dramatic lighting effects to terpiece in vertical
in 1940 Alsace was annexed by Germany decorate the façade of the cathedral. construction and
again. After the liberation in 1944 Stras- a technical prodi-
bourg was returned to France when it Its stonework is a lacy and intricate mas- gy of its day.
became the symbol of reconciliation be- terpiece of Gothic art with numerous ITA MARGUET

INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAT - DIVA -7