A City Anchored in History

Through 2000 years of history, Strasbourg has been a truly European city. Strasbourg lies at the junction between some of the oldest highways on the European continent, linking London to Milan. It has always been a crossroad on the Rhine axis. It is a hub of Europe and its enviable geographical location has been both a tremendous advantage and a doubtful privilege.

12 B.C. In 12 B.C., the Romans chose Strasbourg as a site on which to build a military camp on the Rhine, which they named Argentoratum. Destroyed by Barbarian invasions, the next settlement was called Strateburgum, the "town of roads" because of its strategic geographical position.

855 Strasbourg was declared a Free Town under the Holy Roman Empire and prospered through the golden years of the Middle Ages. With an exemplary political constitution and flourishing trade due to the natural wealth of the surrounding lands, the city gradually began to build its magnificent, rose sandstone cathedral.

1400-1500 The city's intellectual and artistic life increased steadily throughout the Renaissance period.

1681 In 1681, Louis XIV's troops entered Strasbourg. The French Revolution and subsequent Empire marked the end of the city's free and independent status and resulted in the total integration of the town into France. However, the 10 articles of capitulation allowed Strasbourg to conserve its essential political, administrative and religious freedoms.

1878 - 1918 After the siege of 1870, Strasbourg was annexed to the German empire. It became French once again in 1918.

1918-1940 Strasbourg remained part of France from 1918 until the beginning of the Second World War. The tug-of-war with Germany resumed in 1940 when the Germans re-occupied the region.

1944 French troops liberated Strasbourg from the Germans on November 23, 1944 under General Leclerc.

After the Second World War, Strasbourg was chosen as the seat for the Council of Europe. So began a new era in the history of Strasbourg. As the seat of the European parliament and the Court of Human Rights, Strasbourg is a city that has become the symbol of European unity and development.

An International City

Along with New York and Geneva, Strasbourg shares the privilege of being the seat of international organizations without being a capital city.

Within a radius of 500 km around Strasbourg lie 57 % of the working population and 75 % of the buying power of the European Economic Union.

Heritage - The cathedral

The cathedral is a masterpiece of medieval architecture, and the symbol of Strasbourg. It rises above a large square which is cobbled as it was in the Middle Ages, and rests on the foundations of a Romanesque basilica built in 1015. It took three centuries to build this architectural marvel, from the foundations (1176) to the spire (1439).

The spire stands at a height of 142 metres and Strasbourg cathedral was the highest building in Christendom till the 19th century.

Besides the exceptional statues, the organ and the pulpit, the astronomical clock is another curious feature of the cathedral. It was made circa 1547 by a team of Swiss clockmakers. The daily routine of the automata of the clock still draw crowds around it at half past noon.

A Quick Look at Strasbourg

Architecture

Alsace is picturesque. The half-timbered houses with their sloping roofs give the towns and villages an inimitable touch of charm.

The Alsatian Dialect

The Alsatian dialect, which has been transmitted from one generation to the next, is still spoken by many. It bears witness to the singularity of the region and the will of the people to keep their customs alive.

Parks and Walking Paths

A few years ago, the Strasbourg municipal authorities decided to make the most of the town's incomparable assets, by promoting the development of open-air facilities such as parks and gardens, water landscapes, allotments and private open spaces. Under this policy, over eight kilometres along the banks of the river Ill have been equipped for walkers and cyclists.

The Old City

The old city, la Petite France, lies around the cathedral on an island formed by two arms of the Ill river. It is home to many craftsmen and antiques dealers. Its narrow streets offer a series of half-timbered houses dating from the 16th and 17th centuries with large inner courtyards and high sloping roofs.

Gastronomy

Take a Virtual Tour of Strasbourg via one of the following sites:

Strasbourg Online

Strasbourg City Guide

Strasbourg City Map