La Cathedrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg

I have spent a lot of time with the cathedral in downtown Strasbourg recently. I walk by it at least three times a day, but am amazed every single time. Completed in 1439, the cathedral is every cliche you could think of (breathtaking, a work of art, etc.) and more. The walls are behind patterned poles and statues depicting different aspects of Catholicism. Today, we took a tour of the cathedral and learned a few of the stories shown by the statues on the walls. It's amazing how much detail there is, and what makes it even more astounding is that I could never know all the stories or see all the small emotions represented in the stone. I think this is why the cathedral is so incredible to me: I could live in Strasbourg forever and never know all of its secrets. 

...And then there's the inside. Several of my friends were telling me they were getting emotional when learning about the cathedral and all that is done inside of it. After looking at the stained glass windows, the organ, the stone angels, and hearing the astronomical clock chime over the gentle melodies of the singers, it is clear where they are coming from. Although I have never been religious, I can appreciate all that this cathedral symbolizes for some people. 

The astronomical clock 

Last night, Jen and I went to the light show at the cathedral, which, of course, was beautiful. 

I like to think about all the people who have walked through this cathedral. I can imagine some were scared of their past, some of their future. Some were full of hope, and some were close to losing it. Some were laughing, and some were crying. Some were holding hands with their loved ones, and some were alone. Some called this place their home, and some were discovering it step by step, just like me.