Saint William's Church, Strasbourg
Saint William's Church, with its distinctively asymmetrical appearance, holds a unique charm and stands as one of Strasbourg's most exquisite churches. Originally, in 1307, a monastery was established on the swampy shores of the Ill River by Hénri de Mullenheim, a knight who survived the Crusades and sought to express his gratitude for his safe homecoming. This monastery served as the residence for mendicant monks belonging to the Order of the Hermits of Saint William. However, today only the church from the initial monastery complex endures.
Situated conveniently close to the docks, the church transitioned into the parish church for the Shipbuilders' Corporation in 1331. The 15th century witnessed the addition of a second entrance and a triple-arched gallery to the church's structure. Subsequently, during the late 16th century, the church experienced a period of relative neglect, which was eventually rectified through comprehensive renovations carried out in the 17th century.
Within the church, a significant historical artifact is a 14th century tomb effigy. This wooden relief, adorned with vibrant polychrome, portrays the conversion of both Saint Catherine and Saint William. Noteworthy elements within the church include a pulpit that dates back to 1656 and an altar installed during the 18th century.
While the organ itself was set up in 1987, its housing represents the original construction by Andreas Silbermann in 1728.
Situated conveniently close to the docks, the church transitioned into the parish church for the Shipbuilders' Corporation in 1331. The 15th century witnessed the addition of a second entrance and a triple-arched gallery to the church's structure. Subsequently, during the late 16th century, the church experienced a period of relative neglect, which was eventually rectified through comprehensive renovations carried out in the 17th century.
Within the church, a significant historical artifact is a 14th century tomb effigy. This wooden relief, adorned with vibrant polychrome, portrays the conversion of both Saint Catherine and Saint William. Noteworthy elements within the church include a pulpit that dates back to 1656 and an altar installed during the 18th century.
While the organ itself was set up in 1987, its housing represents the original construction by Andreas Silbermann in 1728.
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.
Saint William's Church on Map
Sight Name: Saint William's Church
Sight Location: Strasbourg, France (See walking tours in Strasbourg)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
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
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.
Strasbourg Introduction Walking Tour
Decades of shifting rule between France and Germany eventually caught up with Strasbourg locals. They joked, "We change nationality as easily as others change their coats."
Strasbourg began as a Roman military outpost known as Argentoratum in the 1st century AD, part of the empire’s fortified Rhine frontier. After the fall of Rome, the settlement evolved under the Franks, eventually... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Strasbourg began as a Roman military outpost known as Argentoratum in the 1st century AD, part of the empire’s fortified Rhine frontier. After the fall of Rome, the settlement evolved under the Franks, eventually... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Strasbourg Downtown Walking Tour
German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe studied in Strasbourg between 1770 and 1771, a period he later described as highly formative. He gave back to the city by including his fascination for Strasbourg Cathedral's spire in his own autobiography.
Strasbourg’s downtown, known as the "Large Island”, is the historic core of the city and one of the best-preserved medieval urban... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Strasbourg’s downtown, known as the "Large Island”, is the historic core of the city and one of the best-preserved medieval urban... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Famous Squares Walking Tour
Justly reputed as one of the most beautiful cities in all of France, Strasbourg greets visitors with an array of picturesque squares. Among the most famous of them are:
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
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
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
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles






