Strasbourg

Strasbourg stands on the Ill near the Rhine, at a crossroads between France and the lands of the Empire. Its cathedral rises above a city of merchants, craftsmen and waterways. Free of episcopal rule since the thirteenth century, Strasbourg became a leading centre of printing on the Upper Rhine after the first presses appeared around 1461. Its workshops supplied books to readers throughout the region.

In the sixteenth century the city became a home of the Reformation. Martin Bucer helped shape its church, and John Calvin found refuge here from 1538 to 1541. Strasbourg surrendered to Louis XIV in 1681 and was annexed to France; its cathedral, used for Protestant worship for much of the preceding century and a half, returned to Catholic use.