Centenary of the cathedral tower pillar rescue
Happening now
The Fondation de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame is celebrating the centenary of the completion of the works that strengthened the pillar carrying Strasbourg Cathedral's tower, carried out from 1906 to 1926. A photo exhibition is set up on the cathedral platform from 9 October 2026. A chance to discover an extraordinary engineering project that visitors never see.
Twenty years to hold up a tower
Between 1906 and 1926, under the direction of architect Johann Knauth, teams underpinned the pillar that carries the cathedral tower, whose weight is estimated at 7,500 tonnes. They had to work beneath the medieval foundations, temporarily support the building and then build new structures able to take up the loads step by step. Reinforced concrete, hydraulic jacks, shoring and deep excavations: the Foundation highlights techniques that were particularly innovative for the time.
Eight panels on the platform
The exhibition is shown on the cathedral platform, as eight panels. Old photographs, plans, archives and three-dimensional reconstructions tell the story of the project and the people behind it: architects, engineers, firms, labourers and craftsmen of several nationalities. A version designed for young audiences is available online as an interactive booklet on the Fondation de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame website.
Climb up for the exhibition and the view
The platform sits high up on the cathedral façade and is reached on foot by the staircase, so the exhibition goes naturally with the climb and the panorama over Strasbourg's rooftops. Check access conditions for the platform (opening hours, ticket) with the cathedral before you go. The centenary is billed until 31 March 2027. To take things further, the exhibition on the Foundation's 800 years at the Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame, just opposite, makes a good companion visit.
Practical information
Address: place de la Cathédrale, 67000 Strasbourg
Frequently asked questions
Where can I see the pillar centenary exhibition?
On the platform of Strasbourg Cathedral, reached by the staircase.
Why were these works remarkable?
A tower estimated at 7,500 tonnes had to be underpinned beneath its medieval foundations, using techniques that were innovative for the time.
What else can I visit?
The exhibition on the 800 years of the Fondation de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame, at the Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame on Place du Château.
Wikimedia Commons — Txllxt TxllxT · Wikimedia Commons — Suc-Stung
