The Cathedral of Notre-Dame

The Cathedral was dedicated to Protestant worshipping from 1529 to 1681, except between 1550 and 1560.

  • La cathédrale Notre-Dame
    Notre Dame Cathedral, Strasbourg © Archives/Ville de Strasbourg

As early as 1521 Matthieu Zell, the curate of the Saint-Laurent parish (of the cathedral), preached and spread Martin Luther’s ideas.

In 1529, a new conception of the liturgy and of the Christian community resulted in mass being abolished. The singing by the assembly and preaching then played an important part. Images disappeared for some time, and the holy communion table replaced the altar.

The Astronomical clock built from 1571 to 1574 under the supervision of Conrad Dasypodius was a testimony of the period’s technical know-how.

 

 

Associated tours

  • Protestant Strasbourg
    A walk with photos, texts and maps to better guide your route. A tour realized in collaboration with Strasbourg eurométropole and l’Union des Églises protestantes d’Alsace et de Lorraine. From...

Associated notes

  • Wolfgang Capiton (1478-1541)
    Wolfgang Capiton, an Alsatian theologian and reformer, took part in introducing the Reformation in Strasbourg.

  • Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965)
    Albert Schweitzer was born in Kayserberg, in Alsace. His father was a pastor and very fond of music. He received his secondary education in Mulhouse. He was an exceptionally gifted...

  • Martin Luther, his theology
    Luther founded his theology on the Bible and more specifically on the Epistle of Paul to the Romans, as far as salvation through God’s grace and not through one’s deeds...