Saint Paul Church, Strasbourg

Saint Paul Church, Strasbourg

Strasbourg presents a multitude of enchanting destinations to explore, leaving you with the delightful dilemma of selecting from its array of attractions. Among these, Saint Paul’s Church stands out as a true gem, showcasing its Gothic Revival grandeur on the southern bank of an island nestled within the heart of the broadest section of the River Ill.

Originating in 1897, the edifice was constructed to cater to the Lutheran community of the Imperial German Army, who found residence in Strasbourg. Louis Muller designed this architectural marvel, drawing inspiration from Marburg's Elizabeth Church. The three large rose windows were modeled after one in Saint Thomas’ Church. The twin spires, soaring to a remarkable height of 76 meters, majestically grace the city's skyline.

The church's dimensions, wider than its length, and its incorporation of 19 distinct entrances, carry a unique historical significance. This layout was a deliberate manifestation of the army's hierarchy, meticulously assigning each portal according to rank, starting from the Emperor — during his stays — and extending down to the humble foot soldiers.

History, however, left its mark on the structure. The ravages of the Anglo-American bombings in 1944 inflicted considerable damage upon the building, including its stained glass windows. A subsequent severe hailstorm in 1958 further added to the woes of these windows. Today, the original stained glass windows remain only along the nave, and within the eastern and southern rose windows.

Beneath the rose window adorning the eastern transept, one can admire the heraldic banners representing Alsace, Baden, Bavaria, the Empire, Mecklenburg, and Prussia. Presiding within the church is a majestic pipe organ dating back to 1897, and it remains one of the largest in the Alsace region.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Strasbourg. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Saint Paul Church on Map

Sight Name: Saint Paul Church
Sight Location: Strasbourg, France (See walking tours in Strasbourg)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Strasbourg, France

Create Your Own Walk in Strasbourg

Create Your Own Walk in Strasbourg

Creating your own self-guided walk in Strasbourg is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Churches Walking Tour

Historical Churches Walking Tour

Strasbourg, which celebrated its bimillennial anniversary in 1988, is a city with a very rich heritage. Among other historical monuments found here is a wealth of ancient churches and cathedrals, representing a variety of architectural styles. Exploring Strasbourg on foot, one is inevitably drawn to visit some of these locations. Here are some of the best known places of worship in the city.

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Famous Squares Walking Tour

Famous Squares Walking Tour

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Place Kléber – the biggest square in the heart of the city’s commercial district; a central meeting place since the 14th century.

Place Gutenberg – a definite “must-see” in the heart of medieval Strasbourg, not...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Strasbourg Introduction Walking Tour

Strasbourg Introduction Walking Tour

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The vicinity of the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Strasbourg Downtown Walking Tour

Strasbourg Downtown Walking Tour

Strasbourg – the daughter of the Rhine River – is rich in history, architecture and gastronomy. This is particularly true of the downtown part of the city, the Grande Île or Große Insel in German, which means "Large Island" – a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.

At the centre of the island lies Place Kléber, the city's central square and main meeting...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles