Saint Stephen’s Church, Strasbourg, Monument historique classé church in Strasbourg, France
Saint Stephen's Church is a Romanesque structure in Strasbourg featuring rounded arches, thick pillars, and detailed stonework throughout its walls. Inside, you can see a Merovingian apse beneath the old tower, revealing how the building was constructed over different periods.
Duke Adalbert of Alsace built the first church at this location in 717, reusing the foundations of a Roman basilica from the 5th century. Later additions in the Romanesque style were layered over these early foundations, creating the structure you see today.
The building moved between Catholic and Protestant congregations, reflecting the religious shifts that reshaped Strasbourg over the centuries. You can still sense these transitions in how the space is used today.
The church is accessed through the grounds of the Catholic Saint-Étienne college, where visitors can view the building. Keep in mind that this is an active school area, so access times may be limited or need prior arrangement.
During restoration work in 1961, workers uncovered timber framework in the roof that revealed construction techniques from different medieval periods. This discovery showed that the building is literally layered with construction from various centuries stacked on top of each other.
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