Strasbourg

We finished our canal trip and then spent the weekend in Strasbourg before flying home.  I’d always believed Strasbourg was in Germany, and in the past it has been, but currently it is in France. You do hear a lot of German spoken as you walk through the streets.  We had an excellent hotel in the historic heart of the city which made exploring very easy.

View from our balcony

Strasbourg has had humans inhabit the area since 600,000 BC.  A lot of history is in the area.  It has also been an independent city for a majority of time giving it a distinctive flavor compared to the rest of France.

 We spent most of our time in the center of the city dating from the Middle Ages era. 

Double decker merry-go-round- pink cup like seat spins as it goes round.

The river Ill splits and forms an island in the heart of the city.  This is where all the trades centered so water power could be used.  The biggest university in France is found here a well as the European Parliament.

Cathedral Notre-Dame de Strasbourg was started in 1176 and finished in 1439. Until 1874 it was the tallest building in the world. It is the tallest Middle Age structure still standing. 

Cathedral down street

Square in front of cathedral

Inside the cathedral

The Astrological clock in the church is amazing. At 12:30 each day it preforms. Two angles start by ringing a bell and turning over an hour glass. The apostles parade before Christ to be blessed, a cock fluffs it’s feathers and crows, the ages of man parade before death. The clock not only keeps track of the time, but also the day, month, year, leap years, equinoxes, sign of the zodiac, positions of the moon and planets.

Astrological Clock