Strasbourg

We took advantage of the bright sunshine to take the "tourist boat" around Strasbourg's historic part of the city. There were headphones in many languages which one could listen to, or not.

The wide boat filled the narrow lock where we rose almost to the level of the road and the curious bystanders.

A delightful row of houses in a mixture of architecture,  sizes and colors intrigued us.

Part of the system of walls, gates and lookout towers which were used to protect the city from invaders.

A cafe under a large old tree,  more than 150 years old,  is popular with local artists and musicians.

We continued along the peaceful canals

St Paul's church built in 1897 was next on our circle tour around the central part of the old city. It is considered Gothic revival  architecture and was built for the German Army.   Strasbourg was part of the German Empire until the end of World War I.  

Strasbourg is home to many of the European Parliament buildings,  so modern compared to the antiquity seen so far and very dramatic in their own way.

Every French city must have its Carousel each summer, always in perfect condition, with cheerful music and whimsical animals and cars for children to ride, alone or accompanied by their grandparents.

An organ and flute concert playing J. S.  Bach and other compositions was to be held at St. Thomas' Lutheran church later that evening.  The site has been used as a church since the sixth century.

The organ is a 1741 Silbermann which was played by Mozart while he lived in Strasbourg.

After the concert,  we ran to the main square for the exciting "Illuminations", or sound and light program at the Cathedral of Notre Dame of Strasbourg. Dramatic, colorful scenes are projected on the facade with loud music and the program is very popular with everyone including us! Some people were even lying on the street to get the best possible view.

Sunday morning, wandering through the city, we discovered this troupe performing in Gutenberg square.

They were all wearing costumes circa 1860,

Including this one of the Mayor of Erfelden in Germany.

All next to the statue of Guttenberg, a former resident of Strasbourg.

The ancient cathedral, now crowded in the center of the city. In 1524, it was assigned to the Protestant faith, and in 1539, the world's first documented Christmas tree was set up inside the Cathedral.

In 1681, the Cathedral was returned to the Catholics. Many stained glass windows were taken away during the war and stored in salt mines for safety.

The enormous, elaborate astronomical clock dates from 1838 and is unusually accurate, almost like an early computer.

Walking back to our hotel, we heard organ music coming from another church, St.  Pierre le Jeune, and curiosity made us stop in.  There was a Russian organist practicing for a recital.  The church has wonderful frescoes which are now sadly deteriorating.

This was also a Silbermann organ built in 1780 and had the most lovely sound of all of the three that we heard in a 24 hour period. The organist got a standing ovation,  then played an encore with notes tumbling over themselves in a waterfall of sound. 

So we said farewell to Strasbourg,  a city that appealed to our great enjoyment of history, art, music and much, much more!