As early as 1521 Matthieu Zell, the curate of the Saint-Laurent parish (of the cathedral), preached and spread Martin Luther’s ideas.
In 1529, a new conception of the liturgy and of the Christian community resulted in mass being abolished. The singing by the assembly and preaching then played an important part. Images disappeared for some time, and the holy communion table replaced the altar.
The Astronomical clock built from 1571 to 1574 under the supervision of Conrad Dasypodius was a testimony of the period’s technical know-how.