Today we are going to talk about measurements and geometry. I can already see one or two that are turning pale, don’t worry, it’s within reach of all Alsatians. Everyone, even, including tourists. Tourists as I take you to Strasbourg Cathedral, Strossborjer Menschter. Or Liebfrauimünschter z’Stroosburi, literally Notre-Dame de Strasbourg cathedral in French.
I believe that all Alsatians have at least already visited it. And if not, what are you waiting for?! Between 1647 and 1874, for more than two centuries, it was the tallest building in the world. The devil is in the details, and that’s what I invite you to check out: the details. A very small detail that reminds you of this gigantism, this arrow that you can see from so far away in the Plaine du Rhin. But without climbing a single step, yes, because now you enter the cathedral by a ramp, it’s the same access for everyone. The detail I want to talk to you about today is a nail, the nail of the cathedral.
Surely there were plenty used during construction, but this one is special. When you enter the cathedral, through the left portal, stop at the entrance, be careful there is not much light. Approximately in the middle of this space, you will see at your feet a small nail driven into the ground, with a head about one centimeter in diameter. This nail is exactly above the single spire of the cathedral. If you hung a plumb line at the highest point of the cathedral, and it went through the stones, a magic plumb line, what, you would land right on that nail.
And the most impressive thing is that this little nail is exactly between sea level and the top of the spire. I specify that this calculation was made in the Middle Ages. A beautiful symmetry, right 142 meters above sea level, 142 meters below the highest spire built in the Middle Ages that has survived until today. Well, the highlight of the show at the entrance is a little nerd, so don’t forget to admire the rose windows, the pillars, the Kaysersberg pulpit, the pillar of the angels and the Great Organ, there is everything lots of other lesser-known things in the cathedral, just as exciting, inside and out, so take the time to visit!