Α cloudy day in Strasbourg, the magical capital of Alsace, cannot conceal its beauty.

Strasbourg is a historic city that has always been a crossroads of cultures. It was an important centre of trade in Europe, while today it is the seat of many organisations of the European Union, including the European Parliament. It is also the capital of Alsace, one of the most fascinating regions of France.

Although it was a cloudy day during our visit, nothing could overshadow the beauty of the city and the unique atmosphere it exudes. A walk through the historic city centre is full of unforgettable images and monuments of world cultural importance.

La Grande Ile, the island bounded by the Rhine and the River Ill, is the most famous and picturesque section of the city’s historic centre. Another interesting area is Neustadt, which was built by the Germans in the 19th century. Both areas are UNESCO cultural heritage monuments.

A brief history of Strasbourg

Strasbourg’s history dates back to the Bronze Age, and by the 12th century BC, it had become a significant Roman Empire fortress. The Empire used it as a defence against the many Germanic tribes. It flourished greatly during the Middle Ages and became an independent republic, a haven for radicals and free thinkers.

Following its incorporation into France, its strategic location along land and river trade routes continued to be a point of tension between France and Germany. This continued until 1918, when the French eventually obtained possession of it.

Strasbourg was once again the crossroads of Europe following World War II when it was selected as the Council of Europe’s headquarters in 1949. Also, the European Parliament has called it home since 1979, and the European Court of Human Rights moved here in 1994.

Strasbourg’s Cathedral

The most significant structure in Strasbourg is without a doubt the Cathedral (Cathedrale Notre-Dame). One of the best Gothic churches in Europe, it owes much of its appeal to the pink sandstone used in construction. The building started in 1015. In 1439, Johann Hultz erected the 40-metre spire, which gives the cathedral its remarkable outline. The tip of the spire is 142 metres above ground, making it one of the tallest religious buildings in central Europe. The central doorway on the west side is richly decorated, depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments.

The Cathedral’s interior is similarly stunning. The organ and the hexagonal pulpit are beautiful, as are the stained glasses from the , thirteenth, and fourteenth centuries. But the Astronomical Clock is the cathedral’s most notable feature. It was constructed between 1550 and 1574 by Swiss clockmakers, using designs created by mathematicians. The clock stopped in 1780, was rebuilt, and was operational again in 1842. The midday chime happens at 12.30 p.m. since the clock is half an hour behind standard time. As soon as it happens, a great mechanical parade takes place in the recess at the top of the clock.

Three historic squares

The three squares along the main Rue du Vieux-Marché-aux-Poissons are unquestionably a focus of attraction for tourists and a reference point for life in the historic heart of Strasbourg, despite the fact that the whole city is full of charming corners and squares.

Place des Tripiers was created in 1957 after the destruction of the houses in the Second World War. In the centre of the square, there is a monument paying tribute to the wines and winemakers of Alsace. At the same time, its colourful flower beds create some of the most impressive images of the city.

Place Gutenberg lies not far from the Cathedral. Due to its abundance of top-notch cafes and eateries, this expansive plaza is a favourite among both residents and visitors. Occupying one side of the plaza, the Chamber of Commerce building is clearly identifiable due to its Renaissance architecture. It is evident that the statue in the middle is devoted to Johannes Gutenberg. Important moments from Gutenberg’s life are portrayed in bas reliefs all around the base of the statue. Between 1434 and 1444, Gutenberg resided in Strasbourg and worked as an apprentice.

The largest square in the old town is Place Kleber, which is located in the heart of the city’s commercial district. It is named for the 1753 Strasbourg-born French revolutionary general Jean-Baptiste Kléber. Built by Blondel between 1765 and 1772, the Aubette (Orderly Room) dominates the square’s northern side. Paul and Adré Horn commissioned three avant-garde artists, Theo van Doesburg, Sophie Taeuber-Arp, and Jean Arp, in 1926 to redesign and refurbish the Café Aubette in Strasbourg. Last but not least, the striking structure housing a Galleries Lafayette branch is located at the western extremity of the square.

Le Petite France

Contrary to popular assumption, the quarter’s name was not given by the French residents. The district got its name from the Hospice des Verolés, which was constructed to cure troops under Charles VIII who had contracted syphilis during the Italian Campaign. During that time, syphilis was known as the “French disease.”

Le Petite France thrived along the river’s banks over time. During the Middle Ages, the area was home to tanners, millers, and fishermen, whose livelihoods were completely dependent on the river. Therefore, Le Petite France became known as an industrial district in the fifteenth century. These craftsmen’s workshops seriously contaminated the river, and the water had an overpowering stench. Something that is unquestionably in stark contrast to how the district looks now, with its colourful facades, flower-adorned windows, and charming riverbanks.

Rue du Bain-aux-Plantes is the neighbourhood’s principal thoroughfare. The houses on this street were constructed in the traditional Alsatian village architectural style. The half-timbered façade, stepped gables, and pitched roofs of Alsatian homes make them quite identifiable. The most notable of them is the old guildhall-turned-restaurant called Maison des Tanneurs. It has a distinct character due to the huge windows in the attic. Their initial use of these openings was to aid in the tanners’ drying of the skins.

Ponts Couverts and Barrage Vauban

But Le Petite France also served as the city’s initial line of defence and was a key area for fortification. The region has been surrounded by sturdy walls since the Celtic period, and additional ramparts were constructed in the 13th century to prevent access to the river. Three bridges that had once had wooden roofs supported five fortified towers as part of these ramparts. The bridges were later replaced with the present-day stone ones to form the Ponts Couverts (Covered Bridges). The most recognisable image of Strasbourg is undoubtedly the bridges and their towers.

A short distance from the bridges lies the equally spectacular Barrage Vauban. The three bridges were replaced with a dam that served as a fortification in the seventeenth century. Because of the dam, the river was unable to flow through its bed, flooding the nearby fields and converting them into impenetrable marshes. The city of Strasbourg constructed the Terrasse Vauban, a panoramic terrace, on the dam’s roof in 1966, which is the ideal location for distinctive panoramic shots of Le Petite France.

A walk in the Grande-Ile

Of course, apart from all the above, known to most of those who are thinking of visiting Strasbourg, the area of the old town in Grande-Ile hides many more remarkable sights and museums that are worth discovering.

Maison Kammerzell is one of the most famous buildings in Strasbourg. It may be found on Cathedral Square at number 16. It is one of the most ornate and well-preserved mediaeval houses of late Gothic style. Since 1929, it has been recognised as a historical monument. The top stories have been used as a hotel and the ground floor as a restaurant since the 19th century.

The protestant church of Saint Thomas, which is situated outside of Le Petite France, is another noteworthy landmark. It is a superb illustration of Gothic art from Alsace. The magnificent mausoleum of the Maréchal de Saxe, a masterwork of 18th-century baroque funerary art, is located in its choir.

Strasbourg also has a number of valuable museums. One that stands out is the Historical Museum (Musée Historique). It is located in the Renaissance building of the former slaughterhouse. The museum is dedicated to the tumultuous history of the city from the early Middle Ages until the contemporary period.

Beyond the apparent attractions, though, Grande-Ile’s walk is a truly remarkable experience. A perfect blend of traditional architecture, old well-preserved buildings, striking stores, and distinctive cafes, patisseries, and restaurants. While it is packed and loud, at the same time it conceals a great number of small surprises just waiting for you to discover them.

Strasbourg’s Neustadt

Adjacent to the historic core of Strasbourg lies Neustadt, another significant district. Built during the 19th century during Prussian domination, its purpose was to turn Strasbourg into a symbol of the nation’s power. Neustadt is exceptional because of its grand squares, roomy avenues flanked by trees, and seamless fusion of enormous scale with an astute understanding of topography. The district’s buildings exhibit a certain level of architectural extravagance, merrily fusing Neo-Gothic, Art Nouveau, and Italian Neo-Renaissance styles. One of the last remaining examples of late 19th-century German architecture, the district has survived the Second World War. As a result, Neustadt was included on UNESCO’s esteemed World Heritage List in 2017.

Place de la Republique is Neustadt’s centre. By joining Grande Ile with the Neustadt district, the square was intended to serve as the city’s new political and administrative hub. It has a park and an amazing collection of monuments, such as the Palais du Rhin. Built with a domed roof as the emperor’s house at first, this imposing structure has had a number of uses over the years, including that of a military hospital. St. Paul’s Church is another noteworthy feature in this part of Strasburg. Constructed between 1892 and 1897, the church was intended for the Lutheran soldiers stationed at Strasbourg under the Imperial German military.

An Introduction to Alsatian Gastronomy

In addition, Strasbourg offers unique gastronomic experiences as a place to try and expand your understanding of Alsatian cuisine. The local cuisine is a perfect fusion of French and German traditions, as would be expected from the contact between both nations.

The traditional eatery Le Baeckeoffe d’Alsace (14 Rue des Moulins), located in the heart of Le Petite France, is the ideal spot to begin your introduction to Alsatian cuisine. Try the substantial Baeckeoffe, a slow-cooked pleasure with vegetables and various types of meat. Or indulge in the delicately layered flammekueche for a true gastronomic experience. Flammekueche, or tarte flambée, is composed of bread dough rolled out very thinly and covered with fromage blanc or crème fraîche, thinly sliced onions, and lardons.

But you have to try Gugelhupf before you leave Strasbourg. While you can find it in a number of bakeries and cafes, La Maison du Kougelhopf-Pâtisserie Buhler (11 Rue du Dôme) makes the best. Cakes called Gullhupf are often prepared in a unique ring pan. There are three primary varieties: chocolate, plain, and vanilla, and a marbling mix of the two. However, Gugelhupf, according to the traditional Strasbourg recipe, in some cases does not have the texture of cake but of fluffy bread, which is also made in a savoury version.

And lastly, chocolates are a famous specialty of Strasbourg. It is quite challenging to choose between the many little chocolate businesses, patisseries, and well-known chocolate manufacturers that are dispersed across the city. The Jacques Bockel (10 Rue du Vieux-Marché-aux-Poissons) store, which offers a large selection of high-quality chocolate products, is a recommended option.

Grand Amour Strasbourg

As you enter Brasserie Boëhm, one of Strasbourg’s most well-known brasseries, the glowing phrase “Grand Amour Strasbourg” will catch your eye on the bar’s wall. There’s undoubtedly no better way to put into words how one feels after seeing this unique city. Emotions that intensify even more when you depart and the pictures of Strasbourg linger in your thoughts.

Strasbourg’s architecture, art, and gastronomy all reflect the city’s long history as a crossroads of civilizations. The city is a distinctive residential and historical ensemble that is undoubtedly worth seeing. Simultaneously, the European Union building area (not included in the article) has its own significance in the history of the city.

Although it was a cloudy day when we visited the city, nothing could overshadow the beauty of a city that exists on all levels. Traditional, picturesque, colourful, unique, and unsurpassed, Strasbourg is a magical destination.

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