Strasbourg
The city is known for its historic buildings, including the cathedral and the university. The Cathedral called an Emblematic Church is one of the greatest tourist attractions in Strasbourg. A large-sized Roman building was used as the Foundation of the future Notre-Dame Cathedral, the construction of which was spread out: over 163 years, from 1176 to 1439. Sixty-six meters high, the western facade impresses by the richness of its setting, mainly on the lower level where the Gothic statuary reaches the top of its expressiveness. The portal on the left lines up in its springs the Virtues defeating the Vices, the one of the right displaying the Wise Virgins (led by Chris:) and the Foolish Virgins (seduced by the Tempter). As to the central portal, it shows, (still in its vaults) a series of prophets sketched in an almost expressionist way. Towering the gable that juts out of it besides, a large rose with 16 petals, 13 meters in diameter took pattern by the northern rosette of Notre-Dame in Paris. The unbelievable ornamental stone lace, trimmed along the facade wall, up to the lower level of this magnificent rose has no equivalent. Its conceiver, Erwin von Steinbach, would probably be astonished however, if he were told that this stroke of genius was once regarded as the eighth wonder of the world!
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