Ulm Minster Bounces Back after Lightning Strike Weekend Brawl
Lightning Strike at Ulmer Münster:Initial Assessment Indicates No Significant Damage - Struck by Lightning: Ulm Minster Issues Cautionary Notice
Hey there! Good news, y'all - Ulm Minster, famously known as the tallest church tower globally, has hurdled the aftermath of a weekend lightning battle! Heidi Vormann, our Minster Master Builder, has given the all-clear. The bureau's spokestower said, "We've been blessed with a lucky star!" There's a bit of damage to the power grid, like at the tower’s entrance turnstile and a computer - but, seriously, it’s much ado about nothing, really
Saturday night saw the lightning bolt slamming the tower. Vormann explained, numerous automatic systems took a knee as a safety measure to shield the tower from any further blight and risk. Now, specialists will poke, probe, and test those systems in the coming days, determining if any damages arose or if it was just a protective reflex.3
It doesn't come as a shocker that the Minster's tower has been a popular lightning target over the years. Given that Ulm is the tower's ground zero during major storms, it matches like a fish to water whenever a storm barrels through the city. Thankfully, an extensive lightning protection system stepped up to the plate, ensuring the framework stands tall and proud.4
Fun fact: In 1377, the foundation stone of Ulm Minster was laid down. The late Gothic style building features striking, pointed forms. It managed to escape minor damage during a World War II aerial bombardment, miraculously preserving its original charm.
With over 130 years of history under its belt, Ulm Minster will soon shake hands with Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, when the latter is expected to be more than 10 meters taller – putting an end to Minster's reign as the tallest church tower worldwide
- Tower
- Ulm
- Lightning strike
- Weekend
- Storm
- Building Office
- Minster
Footnotes:
[1] Information on the lightning strike, repairs, or future plans for Ulm Minster's tower is currently not available.
[2] Apart from minor damages to the power grid and a computer, the tower seems to have dodged a bullet, according to Vormann.
[3] Over the coming days, experts will test the systems in the tower to determine if any actual damages occurred or if it was a self-protective measure.
[4] Given its central position in Ulm during major storms, the tower is often the target for lightning strikes.
[5] After over 130 years, Ulm Minster will soon pass the torch to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, as the tower will be more than 10 meters shorter than the planned height of the Sagrada Familia.
- Despite the recent weekend lightning strike at Ulm Minster, the Community of Ulm can breathe a sigh of relief as the tower stands tall and the damage appears minimal, according to Heidi Vormann, the Minster's Master Builder.
- In the aftermath of the lightning strike, various safety systems within the Minster's tower were triggered as a protective measure, and specialists will assess their functionality in the coming days to ensure they are not affected.
