A Neo-Romanesque Lutheran church built in the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War, replacing a medieval Dominican convent destroyed by siege fire.
At a glance
The Temple Neuf rises from a site of long spiritual and intellectual significance in Strasbourg. Constructed in pink sandstone between 1874 and 1877, the church embodies Protestant resilience and 19th-century architectural confidence. The organ, commissioned from the master craftsman Joseph Merklin, remains a distinguished example of German organ-building.
History
A Dominican convent occupied this site from 1260, becoming a center of medieval scholasticism—Meister Eckhart studied within its walls. In 1538, the Jean Sturm Gymnasium was attached to the convent, linking sacred and secular learning.
When Strasbourg embraced Protestantism in 1590, the convent building was repurposed: the Protestant seminary’s library moved into its halls. The former Dominican Church was renamed “Neue Kirche” (New Church) in 1681, following Louis XIV’s annexation of Strasbourg, when Protestants were expelled from the cathedral.
Destruction came swiftly during the Siege of Strasbourg on 24–25 August 1870. Prussian bombardment reduced the Dominican Church to ash and ignited fires that consumed the libraries of the University of Strasbourg and the City—repositories of centuries of knowledge. Reconstruction began almost immediately.
What you see
The church displays confident Neo-Romanesque design by architect Emile Salomon. Pink sandstone walls convey warmth and solidity. Inside, the 1877 Merklin organ—a sophisticated work by one of Germany’s finest organ makers—commands attention with its craftsmanship and sonic range.
Cultural significance
The Temple Neuf represents Strasbourg’s Protestant identity and the city’s recovery from war trauma. It shelters the tombstone of Johannes Tauler, the renowned Dominican mystic and preacher, honoring the convent’s illustrious past. The church stands as both memorial and assertion: a rebuilt faith on hallowed ground.
Key facts
- Country: France
- City: Strasbourg
- Architect: Emile Salomon
- Construction: 1874–1877
- Style: Neo-Romanesque
- Material: Pink sandstone
- Organ: Joseph Merklin, 1877
- Coordinates: 48.5833°N, 7.7483°E
Practical information & getting there
The Temple Neuf is located in central Strasbourg. Visit to hear the Merklin organ or to see Tauler’s tombstone. Contact local tourism or the church directly for opening hours and services.
Sources & resources
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