Entity
Temple Neuf Strasbourg
Strasbourg, France
The Temple Neuf (New Temple) in Strasbourg is a Lutheran church located on the Grande Île, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The current building, constructed from pink sandstone between 1874 and 1877, was designed by architect Emile Salomon in a Neo-Romanesque style. Its construction followed the destruction of the previous church on the site during the Siege of Strasbourg in the Franco-Prussian War. The fire of August 24-25, 1870, which consumed the church, also devastated the city and university libraries housed there, resulting in the loss of hundreds of thousands of volumes and priceless manuscripts like the Hortus Deliciarum.
The site itself has a long religious history, initially occupied by a Dominican convent established in 1251. After Strasbourg adopted Protestantism, the convent's church became a significant Protestant place of worship, especially from 1681 when it was renamed "Temple Neuf." This change occurred after the annexation of Strasbourg by France under Louis XIV, which compelled the city's Protestants to relinquish the cathedral and relocate to this building.
Architecturally, the church is characterized by its reddish-brown facade and a tall central tower. The interior is noted for its bright atmosphere and houses several notable features, including the tombstone of the Dominican mystic Johannes Tauler, a historic organ built by Joseph Merklin in 1877, and a Steinway grand piano from 1899.
Today, the Temple Neuf serves as an active Protestant parish church under the Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine (UEPAL). In addition to its religious functions, it operates as a cultural venue, hosting concerts, exhibitions, and community events, and is known for its acoustics. The adjacent square also hosts a Christmas market during the holiday season.