Now let's take a walk around the capital of Lorraine - the city of Metz.
How modest Lorraine is compared to its neighbor - blooming, rich, bright
Alsace! In tiny Alsatian towns there are fabulous soft pastel houses,
“lined” with half-timbered frames, decorated with cascades of flowers and intricate signs,
elegant shop windows, endless cafes, souvenir stalls and crowds of tourists. In the capital of Lorraine
Metz, with a population of about 125 thousand people, has boring faded yellow houses, the only
the decoration of which is simple wooden shutters. The city is not very lively, there are few tourists,
everything bears the stamp of provincialism. It takes time to feel melancholy
the charm of this city and appreciate the accuracy of the words spoken about Metz by its native Paul Verlaine:
"city of light and honey."
Alley near Saint-Etienne Cathedral.
Typical buildings of Metz.
The house where Paul Verlaine was born.
In the lobby of the house where Paul Verlaine was born.
Metz, conveniently located at the confluence of the Sel and Moselle rivers, is a city with a long and glorious
history. Founded by the Romans, it was one of the first Christian cities in Europe and already
in the 4th century it became the residence of a bishop. Destroyed in the 5th century by the Huns, it was reborn
and shone as a cultural and commercial center under the Merovingians and then under the Carolingians. At 11 - 12
for centuries Metz was a free city-republic, like the Italian ones, and in 1552
came under the rule of the French crown.
Relations between Metz and Germany on the border were complicated. Following the results of the Franco-Prussian
After the war, Metz ceded to Germany in 1871. It was then that Paul Verlaine wrote his "Ode to Metz"
in which the poet mourned the desecrated city of his childhood.
Ode à Metz
O Metz, mon berceau fatidique
Metz violée et plus pudique
Et plus pucelle que jamais!
O ville où riait mon enfance,
O citadelle sans defense
Qu'un chef que la honte devance,
O mère auguste que j'aimais.
1892
In 1918, after the First World War, Metz became French again, but during the Second World War
World War II, the city was again under German rule.
Although Metz cannot be called a tourist center (in some guidebooks to France
at most a few lines are devoted to it), there are unique monuments worthy of
to come to the capital of Lorraine.
Basilica of Saint-Pierre aux Nonnains, one of the oldest in France. It was built in the 6th century on the basis
Gallo-Roman baths. Thin Roman plinth bricks have been preserved in the masonry of the walls. From 6th to 16th centuries
The Basilica of Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnins was a monastery church.
The German Gate is the remains of the medieval fortifications of Metz.
Idyllic, almost rural landscape in the very center of the city.
A wooden pedestrian bridge over the Moselle leads to the small island of Petit Soucy.
The island is dominated by the Protestant Church of the Temple Neuf, built during the German
dominion in 1904 in neo-Romanesque style, modeled on the cathedral in Speyer.
Towering over the city with o b o r Saint-Etienne is the main attraction of Metz.
Saint-Etienne is one of the most impressive cathedrals in France with an unrivaled nave height of 42 meters!
An ancient town located in the eastern part of the country. The city has a rich history that began more than three thousand years ago. Today Metz is a large industrial center, which at the same time attracts with its exquisite natural landscapes and tranquil environment, conducive to a relaxing holiday.
One of the main attractions of the city is the St. Etienne Cathedral, made in the Gothic style. This is one of the largest religious buildings in France. Not far from the central square is the Museum of Art and History, whose halls display exhibits telling about the most significant moments in the history of Metz.
The city is located in close proximity to the Moselle River; if you cross it, you can find yourself on the picturesque island of Solcy. Most of the island's buildings were erected in the 18th century.
If during the day the city is ideal for leisurely walks and sightseeing, then at night it turns into a mysterious and unknown place, transformed beyond recognition. The fact is that all the houses are lined with a kind of iridescent stone, which begins to play with all the colors of the rainbow in the light of the lanterns. Boutiques and shopping centers are open on the central streets until late in the evening, and you can also find French restaurants and bars here. One of the traditional dishes that you will be offered in any restaurant is the Mirabella dessert. This fruit was bred by local breeders from an ordinary plum; you will not find its like anywhere else. Copyright www.site
If you relax at the resort in the summer, you will be able to enjoy the splendor of local parks, where grandiose performances are held in the evenings. Each park is decorated with beautiful dancing fountains, which you can admire endlessly.
The city has an outstanding exhibition center, the Pompidou-Metz, which will interest all fans of modern culture. Its building is one of the most beautiful modern buildings in the city; construction of the center was completed in 2010. Within the walls of the spectacular building are the largest exhibition spaces in France; exhibitions of contemporary European artists, sculptors and photographers are regularly held here. Thanks to its uniquely shaped roof, the Pompidou-Metz exhibition center is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks.
Place de la Comédie is home to the oldest opera house in France, dating back to 1753. Just like many years ago, today the most popular opera performances are held within its walls. Over the years of its existence, the theater has managed to preserve its unique historical interior.
The railway station building in Metz is also an important historical site; it began to be built in the 19th century by order of Emperor Wilhelm II. At the time of construction, this railway station was one of the largest and most technically equipped in the country; during the war, it played an important strategic role. Every day at this station, trains served 25,000 soldiers and were used to transport cavalry.
One of the most unusual symbols of the city is the Bridge of the Dead, which owes its appearance and gloomy name to the local archbishop. In the Middle Ages, many amazing decrees were issued by order of the archbishop, all of which were carried out unquestioningly. According to one of these decrees, after the death of each citizen, his richest attire was to become the property of the bishop. Expensive clothes were sold, and all the proceeds from the sale were invested in the construction of the bridge.
Metz(fr. Metz, German Metz[ˈmɛts], lat. Divodurum Mediomatricorum, Divodurum, Met(t)is ) is a city in northeastern France, the capital of the French region of Lorraine and the Moselle department. The city is located at the confluence of the rivers Moselle (which branches here into several branches) and Seille.
Story
Settlements of ancient people on the territory of Metz existed, according to available data, already thousands of years BC. e. Shortly before the Roman invasion, here was the main settlement of the Celtic tribe of Mediomatrics, who gave the name to the city. After being captured by the Romans, a city stood on this site. Divodur (Divodurum). In 451 the city was taken by Attila. During the collapse of the Frankish Empire, it became the capital of Lothair's possessions.
Metz in the 17th century
Between 1180 and 1210 Metz flourished as a free imperial city, then became one of the three bishoprics that separated France and Germany. The 15th century city chronicler Obrion personally participated in many of the events he described. Although most of the city's inhabitants supported the Reformation, the French king Henry II of Valois volunteered to be their patron and successfully defended the city against the Habsburgs (in 1552). As a result of the Thirty Years' War, all three bishoprics were officially assigned to France. During the Franco-Prussian War, another siege of Metz by the Germans lasted 52 days.
From 1871 to 1918 and 1940-1944 Metz was part of Germany. The city was traditionally well fortified; Vauban once wrote to the king that “the fortresses protect the provinces of the kingdom, and Metz protects the state as a whole.” The German administration wanted to demolish the fortifications and build boulevards and embankments in their place. Of the ancient fortifications, only the grandiose German Gate survived. The old city and its residential areas acquired their current appearance after the Second World War. And today one can distinguish between “French” and “German” Metz by its architecture.
Attractions
Of the architectural and cultural monuments of Metz, the most famous are the two medieval Bridges of the Dead, the opera house of the mid-18th century and St. Stephen's Cathedral, one of the widest and highest in France. In it you can contemplate stained glass not only from the 13th-14th centuries, but also from the 20th century - the work of avant-garde artists Marc Chagall and Jacques Villon.
The period of German rule left its mark on the appearance of the city. On one of the islands on the Moselle stands a large Lutheran church - the New Temple, consecrated in 1904 in the presence of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Its prototype was the Romanesque Speyer Cathedral - the tomb of the German-Roman emperors. Finds discovered during excavations of ancient Roman baths are exhibited in a branch of the local history museum. The city also preserves the Basilica of Saint-Pierre aux Nonnains, the oldest surviving church in Lorraine, and perhaps in all of France.
In 1971, the University of Metz opened, which bears the name of the famous native of the city, the poet Paul Verlaine. In 2010, the largest exhibition and museum center in France outside of Paris, the Pompidou Center, opened in Metz.
Metz has been one of the main religious centers of France since ancient times. It is known that Bishop Gregory of Tours mentioned that after the destruction of Metz by the Huns on April 7, 451, only the chapel of St. Stephen, built on the site of the ancient sanctuary, survived.
The history of the cathedral goes back a long way. From sources of the 8th century it is known that Bishop Hrodegang organized the construction of an ancient sanctuary on the territory - it was during this period that several parts of the temple were erected. In 869 the church hosted the coronation of Charles II. In 965-984, the cathedral was reconstructed at the expense of kings Otto I and Otto II.
During archaeological excavations carried out in the twentieth century, it was found that the modern cathedral stands almost exactly on the site of the ancient basilica. And in 1220 it was decided to build a large cathedral in Metz in honor of St. Stephen. Since then, six construction periods have passed, and the duration of the work was almost 300 years. The consecration of the new cathedral took place on April 11, 1552.
St. Stephen's Cathedral is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. Its facades are decorated with sculptures and carvings. Due to its size, the cathedral is one of the largest in France. However, its main attraction is the luxurious stained glass windows of the 14th and 16th centuries - it is here that the largest collection of stained glass windows in France is located. Among them are 19 stained glass windows by Marc Chagall.
Esplanade
Esplanade (Esplanade de Metz) is a city garden located in Metz to the west of the Metz-Centre quarter on the site of ancient defensive ditches, filled in in 1816 during urban planning work. Near the Esplanade are the Palace of Justice, the Templar Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, and the School of Fine Arts.
Beautiful alleys of linden and chestnut trees surround the picturesque central part of the garden, where there are flowering beds and a fountain. The esplanade is decorated with sculptures by artists representing the Metz school: a Naiad and a statue of Marshal Ney, a bronze horse of the famous Christophe Fraten. Here you can also see a sculpture of Paul Verlaine and the Soldier Liberator, a hero of the First World War.
The Esplanade is not just a beautiful garden for walking, but a historically important place in the city, as well as a site where active cultural life takes place. In February-March, the Foire de Carnaval fair takes place here, and in the summer - the literary festival É t du Livre. At the end of summer, the Esplanade celebrates the Mirabelle plum, a real symbol of Metz. In winter, there is a Christmas market and an ice skating rink.
What sights of Metz did you like? Next to the photo there are icons, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.
Moselle River
The Moselle River flows through Luxembourg, Germany and France. Its length reaches five hundred and forty-four kilometers. The area of the Moselle River basin is 28,286 square kilometers. This body of water originates on the slopes of the Ballon de Alsace hill. Below it passes through a narrow, deep and winding valley. Near the city of Koblenz the river flows into the Rhine. The main tributaries of the river are the Avier, Ruwer and Saar.
Typically, the Moselle experiences frequent floods from November to March.
The following major settlements are located on the river: Trier, Koblenz, Metz and Nancy.
The Moselle River is almost entirely navigable.
Several locks and hydroelectric power stations have been built on the river. The reservoir is crossed by the Rhine-Marne canal and is also connected by an eastern canal to the river Sonne.
The Moselle River Valley is considered a wine-growing area. This is the oldest wine region in France. Most of the products made here are exported.
The German Gate is the only fragment of the city fortifications of Metz that has survived to this day. On December 3, 1966, they were included in the list of historical monuments. Once upon a time, the gate, equipped with towers and battlements, was part of a stone bridge over the Sel River. The gate received its name in honor of the knights of the Teutonic Order, whose hospital was located nearby.
The construction of city fortifications began here in 1230, and in 1445, to control traffic on the bridge, gates were erected, consisting of two round towers, the architectural appearance of which was quite strict, devoid of a large number of decorative elements, excluding a small number of zoomorphic images. Only this part of the fortress wall has survived to this day, the total length of which reached seven kilometers and a thickness of 3.5 meters. An inscription from the 16th century has been preserved on the arch, preserving a mention of the initiators of construction and the architect.
Metz railway station building
The building of the Metz railway station is one of the sights of Metz.
The structure was erected in 1905-1908 in the neo-Romanesque style by a team of assistants led by Berlin architect Jürgen Kröger. The length of the building is more than 300 meters. The centerpiece is the 40-meter clock tower, which is built from a variety of building materials, not just the traditional oolitic limestone. Since 1909, the tower has been converted into bathhouses for station workers.
The station has been officially recognized as a historical monument since 1975. To this day, the façade of the building is in excellent condition. In the train departure hall and the old station buffet, all the original interior decoration is present.
Cathedral of Saint-Etienne
The Cathedral of Saint-Etienne is considered the pride of Metz. Since 1930 it has been declared a historical monument. The cathedral is one hundred twenty-three meters long and forty-two meters high. It is no coincidence that it is considered the third largest cathedral in all of France.
The cathedral took several centuries to build. Back in the fifth century, a chapel was built in this place in honor of the first Christian martyr Stephen. And only this building was spared by the Huns, who plundered the entire city a few years later.
The Cathedral of Saint-Etienne is also famous for the fact that in 869 the coronation of Charles II took place within its walls. In 1220 the chapel was rebuilt into a cathedral. However, it acquired its modern appearance in the eighteenth century according to the plan of the architect Jacques-François Blondel.
The cathedral building is made of oolitic limestone. Therefore, its walls have a golden yellow hue. The cathedral contains picturesque stained glass windows, the creation of which dates back to the 13th-20th centuries.
Temple Neuf Church
The Temple Neuf Church is a landmark of the city of Metz, and more specifically, the southwestern part of the island of Petit Soucy.
The Protestant temple was erected in 1903 by the German architect Conrad Van in the neo-romantic style. The prototype of the temple was the Romanesque Speyer Cathedral, which was the tomb of the German-Roman emperors. Van identified the dull gray Vosges sandstone as the main building material. The church was consecrated in 1904. Kaiser Wilhelm II himself was present at the consecration of the church.
There is a cozy garden near the church - a great place for walks. In front of the church there is Comedy Square with a theater building, at the foot of which a guillotine was placed during the Revolution.
This church is currently functioning. Local Protestants constantly gather here.
Middle Bridge
Among the numerous architectural monuments of Metz, one of the most famous are the Great and Middle Bridges of the Dead, connecting the island of Solsi with the central areas of the city. The Middle Bridge of the Dead is most often called simply the Middle Bridge, simply because this formulation is shorter. In fact, it is actually an extension of the Great Bridge from which it takes its name.
The Big Bridge is much older than the Middle Bridge; until the end of the 13th century it was made of wood, until in 1282 a decision was made to build a stone bridge. By 1343 its construction had already been completed. In 1312, construction of the Middle Bridge began. These days, the bridges are very popular among travelers; visiting them is an obligatory part of a visit to Metz.
Metz in France is the ancient capital of Lorraine, located at the confluence of the Moselle and Seille rivers. The thousand-year history of the city impresses with many amazing events. Once upon a time, Celtic settlements and the possessions of the ancient Romans were located here; in the 12th-13th centuries, Metz was a free imperial city, then one of the Three Bishoprics; in the 19th-20th centuries, the city belonged to Germany, and then returned to France.
Entertainment and active recreation
Metz in France is an ancient city with a rich history, which has left a unique heritage in its appearance and unique attractions. In the heart of Metz, on the Place d'Armes, stands the symbol of the city - the majestic St. Stephen's Cathedral, consisting of an old Romanesque church and a nave. The 40 m high nave was added to the church in the 13th century and is the third largest in France, and in the 20th century the cathedral was decorated with 19 wonderful stained glass windows by Marc Chagall.
Another legacy of the ancient history of Metz is the 4th century Basilica of Saint-Pierre, which is the oldest not only in Lorraine, but throughout France. Today the basilica hosts exhibitions and concerts. Also in Metz is the oldest opera house in all of France - a magnificent building built in the 18th century in the neoclassical style.
The city's Gallo-Roman past is represented by an aqueduct dating from the 2nd century and Roman baths discovered on the grounds of the Golden Court Museum, which houses an exhibition of sculptures and models of local architecture from different eras.
The German stage in the history of Metz is reminiscent of the German Gate of the 13th century - a powerful structure that is simultaneously a castle, a bridge and a gate, as well as a Lutheran church rising on one of the islands on the Moselle River, and the Imperial Quarter with a massive station building and elegant buildings in different architectural styles.
In Metz, it is pleasant to stroll along the ancient streets of the French and German quarters, cross the Moselle along the medieval bridges of the Dead, go shopping on the pedestrian street de Klerk, relax in cozy cafes on Place Saint-Jacques and in the marvelous gardens of the Esplanade.
Metz in France is also known as a cultural center. There is a grandiose museum and exhibition center for contemporary art here - a branch of the famous Paris Pompidou Center, and throughout the year the city hosts all sorts of festivals - from the colorful festival dedicated to the Mirabell plum to the balloon festival.
