Discover Strasbourg: 9 Amazing Fun Facts You Never Knew About This Enchanting City!

1. Pretty in Pink: Strasbourg Cathedral

What's pink, homesick for 142 meters, and religiously divided? It even has a ladder to heaven (or at least a perch high enough for celestial contemplation): Strasbourg Cathedral, also known as Notre-Dame de Strasbourg. Made primarily of pink sandstone, this architectural marvel boasts the tallest medieval bell tower in Europe, offering incredible views of the city after climbing just 332 steps. Involved in countless religious and political conflicts throughout history, its exquisite stained-glass windows and delicate sculptures have been perseveringly preserved, resulting in inclusion to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988, alongside the historic center of Strasbourg itself.
Source => europeanwaterways.com

2. Dali Meets Game of Thrones Clock

If Salvador Dali designed a clock while binge-watching Game of Thrones, then the Strasbourg Cathedral's astronomical timepiece might just make sense in a parallel universe: This medieval architectural marvel in Strasbourg houses a Renaissance-era astronomical clock, surrounded by UNESCO-protected half-timbered buildings, cobbled streets, and the famous Maison Kammerzell in the Petite-France district.
Source => voyaze.wordpress.com

Did you know that Paris' open-air urinals played a crucial role in World War II? Discover how these unassuming lavatories became secret communication hubs for the French Resistance! 🕵️‍♂️💬🚽

=> Fun Facts about Paris

3. The Ultimate Time-Telling Machine

Talk about a clock that's got more going on than Grand Central Station at rush hour: the astronomical clock in Strasbourg Cathedral not only tells time but also calculates dates, displays sidereal time, indicates solar time, shows the gravitation of six planets, and even blesses onlookers with a mini-parade of apostles.
Source => travelyesplease.com

4. Sky Storks: Strasbourg's Baby-Loving Birds

They may not be responsible for delivering babies, but these beaky creatures have quite the story: Strasbourg’s Parc de l'Orangerie established the first white stork reintroduction center in Alsace in 1960, saving the endangered bird from near extinction, and successfully breeding and releasing over 900 of these winged wonders in the process. Today, these iconic sky storks grace the city and inspire happy cries of "Oh, baby!"
Source => enjoystrasbourg.com

5. Medieval Party Pad: Maison Kammerzell

Once the stomping grounds for medieval party animals with an architectural appetite: Maison Kammerzell in Strasbourg is a marvel of late Gothic architecture, showcasing over 500 years of adventure in remodeling. With a stone base built in 1467, added wooden carved floors in 1589, and restored in 1892 with Léo Schnug's murals in 1905, it now houses a posh hotel and restaurant for time-traveling gourmets.
Source => travelguide.de

6. Strasbourg's Christmas Wonderland

It's beginning to look a lot like Strasbourg, where chestnuts roast on an open fire and Jack Frost nips at your nose: Strasbourg hosts one of Europe's most prestigious Christmas markets, luring millions of visitors annually with its 300+ stalls of festive goodies, handicrafts, and merriment from late November to late December, all nestled cozily in the city's heart for optimum holiday strolling and transportation ease.
Source => trip.com

7. The Brains and Beauty of Strasbourg

Who needs the Avengers when you've got the super-science squad of Strasbourg? Welcoming Einstein's descendants and Carl Sagan's smooth-talkers: Strasbourg is not just a beautiful city but also a powerhouse for international scientific organizations like the European Science Foundation, the International Space University, and the European Pharmacopoeia. With four Nobel laureates from the University of Strasbourg and a media sideline hosting ARTE and the European Audiovisual Observatory, Brains and Beauty team up in this charming Alsatian metropolis.
Source => int.strasbourg.eu

8. Capital of Christmas: Strasbourg

In Strasbourg, where Yule be sorry to miss their rockin' holiday festivities: the city's Christmas markets date back to 1570, making them the oldest in Europe and the first in France. Festive traditions like baking bredele cakes and crafting Advent wreaths have been treasured for centuries, with Strasbourg earning the esteemed title of "Capital of Christmas" in 1992 when market stalls began spreading festive cheer all across the urban landscape.
Source => noel.strasbourg.eu

9. Kugelhopf: Not a Dance, but a Delicious Treat

In Strasbourg, locals and tourists satisfy their sweet tooth with the one and only Kugelhopf, which sounds like a little-known dance from the 80s but tastes infinitely better: This scrumptious Alsatian treat is a brioche-like cake filled with raisins and almonds, made from yeast, flour, eggs, milk, sugar, salt, and butter, and baked in a unique Kugelhopf pan, ideally enjoyed with a warm beverage on the side.
Source => vinsalsace.com