A masterpiece of German symmetry
The Saint-Paul’s church is a very large and very pointy building located at the meeting point of two rivers. It was built during the late 19th century when Strasbourg was part of the German Empire. The architects were clearly obsessed with balance because everything about the building is perfectly symmetrical. If you folded the church in half it would probably match up perfectly. It is the kind of design that makes people with a neat streak feel very happy.
The mirror of the Ill river
The best place to appreciate this architectural obsession is from the Gallia tram station. From this specific angle you can see the church standing right at the edge of the water. On a calm day the Ill river acts like a giant glass mirror. The reflection of the stone towers in the water is almost as clear as the building itself. You can stand on the bridge and watch the ripples slowly distort the towers whenever a boat passes by.
Golden hour on the river bank
If you visit on a clear summer evening you are in for a treat. The sunset light hits the red and grey stone of the church and makes it glow. The sky turns shades of pink and orange which look great against the dark silhouette of the spires. It is a very romantic scene that usually attracts many people with expensive cameras. Even if you are not a professional photographer it is hard to take a bad picture here. The light is so forgiving that even the most boring building would look like a palace.
A church for soldiers and students
This church was originally built for German soldiers who were stationed in the city. They needed a place to pray that looked as disciplined as they were. Today it is mostly surrounded by students from the nearby university. It is quite funny to see the contrast between the stern gothic architecture and the young people sitting on the river banks with their laptops. The building has managed to survive the changing times without losing its serious personality. It remains a very solid landmark in a very busy part of the city. It is worth taking a few minutes to sit by the water and enjoy the view before your tram arrives.
