History of Metz

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Metz spans more than three thousand years. The city originated as a fortified settlement (oppidum) of the Celtic Mediomatrici tribe, from whose abbreviated name the modern appellation is derived.

Following the Roman conquest in the 1st century BC, the city became known as Divodurum Mediomatricorum. Due to its strategic importance, it rapidly developed into one of the largest and wealthiest cities in Gaul, surpassing even Paris in size at that time.

Key Factors of Establishment

Several circumstances contributed to the transformation of Metz into a powerful regional center:

• Geography: The city was founded at the confluence of the Moselle and Seille rivers. This provided natural defense and access to vital waterways.
• Trade Routes: Metz became a key crossroads of Roman roads connecting the north and south of Europe (the route from Lyon to Trier) and the east with the west (from Reims to Strasbourg).
• Political Status: In the early Middle Ages, during the Merovingian era, Metz became the capital of the kingdom of Austrasia, cementing its status as a center of political power.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Even in antiquity, the city possessed developed infrastructure: thermal baths and a massive amphitheater capable of holding up to 25,000 spectators functioned here. The economy was built on active trade, crafts, and viticulture, which flourished on the slopes of the Moselle.

Metz also played a significant role in the spiritual life of Europe. It became one of the cradles of the Carolingian dynasty and an early center of Christianity—the first bishop, Saint Clement, arrived here as early as the 3rd century.

Major Milestones in the History of Metz

The history of Metz is full of dramatic turns, changes in sovereignty, and cultural transformations. Below are the key dates that defined the appearance of the modern city.

• 451: The city was ravaged by the troops of Attila, marking the sunset of the Roman era and the beginning of the migration period.
• 843: According to the Treaty of Verdun, Metz became the capital of the Kingdom of Lotharingia.
• 1189: Metz received the status of a Free Imperial City, governed by a council of local aristocracy, effectively becoming an independent republic.
• 1220: Construction began on the Gothic Saint-Étienne Cathedral, which continued for over three hundred years.
• 1552: French King Henry II occupied the city, incorporating it into the "Three Bishoprics" under the protectorate of France.
• 1648: The Peace of Westphalia legally cemented the inclusion of Metz into the Kingdom of France.
• 1871: Following France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War, the city was annexed by Germany and became the administrative center of Lorraine.
• 1908: The new railway station, built by order of Kaiser Wilhelm II in the Neo-Romanesque style, was inaugurated.
• 1918: Following World War I, the city was returned to France.
• 1940: During World War II, Metz was once again occupied by German troops.
• 1944: The city was liberated by the US Army after heavy fighting, known in history as the "Battle of Metz".
• 2010: The opening of the Centre Pompidou-Metz transformed the city into one of the leading centers of contemporary art in Europe.

Stages of Urban and Cultural Development

The architectural and economic landscape of Metz is unique in that it was formed at the intersection of two great cultures—French and German. Each era brought cardinal changes to the layout and life of the city.

• Era of the Merchant Republic (13th–15th centuries). During this period, Metz flourished as a free city. The economic significance of this stage was immense: the city became a major banking center of Europe. The architectural legacy of this era is Place Saint-Louis with its Italian-style houses, testifying to the wealth of local moneychangers and trade connections with Lombardy.
• Transformation into a Fortress City (17th–18th centuries). After joining France, Metz became a key military outpost. Marshal Vauban and his successors rebuilt the city, erecting powerful fortifications and barracks. This slowed the expansion of residential quarters but gifted the city a strict classical appearance, including the Opera House and Place d'Armes.
• Construction of the Imperial Quarter (1871–1918). The German annexation led to a massive urban planning project. The "New City" (Neustadt) was built around the station to demonstrate the power of the German Empire. This expanded the boundaries of Metz, gifting it wide avenues, a sewage system, electrification, and unique eclectic architecture that contrasts with the medieval center.
• Pioneers of Urban Ecology (1970s). Under the leadership of Jean-Marie Pelt, Metz became a laboratory for implementing the "Garden City" concept. A focus was placed on greening the Moselle embankments and creating extensive park zones. This secured Metz's status as one of the greenest cities in France, which is a major tourism asset today.
• Technological Reorientation (1980s). Facing a crisis in traditional industry, the city bet on innovation by creating the Metz Technopole. This attracted international companies and educational institutions (such as a branch of Georgia Tech), transforming the city's economy towards high technology and education.
• Cultural Revitalization (21st Century). The opening of the Centre Pompidou-Metz in 2010 was a turning point in recent history. This project launched the gentrification process of the Amphitheater district and repositioned Metz from an industrial-military center to a European capital of contemporary art, attracting millions of visitors.

Architectural Mosaic: From Antiquity to Modernity

The appearance of Metz is unique due to the combination of French and German urban planning traditions. The city is often called an open-air museum of architecture, where golden limestone (the famous "Jaumont stone") neighbors heavy grey sandstone and modern constructions of wood and glass.

Gallo-Roman Heritage and the Middle Ages

The earliest layers of the city remind us of its ancient origins and religious significance. Defensive structures and religious architecture dominate this period.

• Early Christian Architecture: The church of Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains is considered one of the oldest in France. Originally built as a Roman palaestra in the 4th century, it was converted into a church in the 7th century, preserving elements of late antique architecture.
• Gothic (13th–16th centuries): The main dominant feature of the city is Saint-Étienne Cathedral. It is a masterpiece of Rayonnant Gothic with one of the highest nave heights in the world (42 meters) and a record area of stained glass, earning it the nickname "The Lantern of God".
• Military Architecture: The Porte des Allemands (Gate of the Germans) is an impressive example of medieval fortification, combining massive towers and a bridge over the Seille river.

French Classicism (18th Century)

In the 18th century, under the influence of the French crown, the city underwent massive redevelopment. Governor Charles Louis Auguste Fouquet de Belle-Isle invited architect Jacques-François Blondel to modernize the center.

• Style: Strict symmetry, rationalism, use of orders, and the creation of square ensembles.
• Landmarks: Place d'Armes — the heart of the city, surrounded by the Town Hall and the Opera-Theatre building (one of the oldest operating in France). These buildings are made of the signature yellow Jaumont stone, giving the square a warm, solemn look.

The Imperial Quarter (1871–1918)

The period of German annexation radically changed the appearance of Metz. Kaiser Wilhelm II sought to turn the city into a showcase of German power by creating the "New City" (Neustadt) or the Imperial Quarter.

• Stylistic Diversity: Eclecticism reigns here—a mix of Neo-Romanesque style, Neo-Gothic, Neo-Renaissance, and Jugendstil (Art Nouveau). Instead of yellow limestone, grey and pink sandstone brought from the Vosges and the Ruhr was used.
• Iconic Buildings:
  • Railway Station: A monumental building in the Neo-Romanesque style, resembling a fortress and a church simultaneously.
  • Main Post Office: A massive structure of red sandstone, symbolizing imperial bureaucracy.
  • Villas on Avenue Foch: Luxurious mansions demonstrating the diversity of tastes of the Gründerzeit era.

Modernity and Postmodernism (20th–21st Centuries)

In recent times, Metz continues to experiment with forms, integrating bold projects into the historical fabric.

• High-Tech and Organic Architecture: The symbol of the city's rebirth became the Centre Pompidou-Metz (2010), designed by Shigeru Ban and Jean de Gastines. Its roof, resembling a woven Chinese hat, is made of wood and covered with a fiberglass membrane, creating a light and futuristic silhouette.
• Revitalization: The Amphitheater district, where the Centre Pompidou is located, is an example of modern urbanism, turning former industrial and railway wastelands into residential and cultural spaces.

Distinguished Figures in the History of Metz

The rich past of Metz is inextricably linked with the names of great rulers, poets, innovators, and thinkers. The city served as home to the Carolingian dynasty, inspired literati of the Renaissance, and became the birthplace of aviation pioneers.

Rulers and Spiritual Leaders

• Saint Arnulf (Arnulf of Metz) (c. 582–640)
  Bishop of Metz and Progenitor of the Carolingians
  One of the key figures of the early Middle Ages. As bishop of the city and advisor to the kings of Austrasia, he became an ancestor of Charlemagne. Arnulf is revered as the patron saint of Metz (and historically of brewers), and his legacy secured the city's status as the cradle of a great European dynasty.
• Charlemagne (742/747–814)
  King of the Franks and Emperor of the West
  Although his exact place of birth is disputed, Metz was one of the emperor's favorite residences and the capital of Austrasia. Charlemagne frequently held state assemblies here, and his wife Hildegard and sisters are buried in the local Abbey of Saint-Arnould.

Figures of Art and Literature

• François Rabelais (1494–1553)
  Humanist writer and physician
  The great author of "Gargantua and Pantagruel" lived in Metz from 1545 to 1547, escaping persecution in Paris. Here he served as the city physician and secretary. Local legends and folklore (specifically the story of the Graoully dragon) found reflection in his famous novel.
• Paul Verlaine (1844–1896)
  Symbolist poet
  One of the founders of literary impressionism and symbolism was born in Metz, in a house opposite the Palace of Justice. Although the family left the city when Paul was seven years old, he always recalled his "Messin childhood" with warmth. Today, the city's main arena bears his name.
• Ambroise Thomas (1811–1896)
  Composer
  A native of Metz who became the director of the Paris Conservatory. He became famous for his operas, the most well-known of which is "Mignon". Thomas is considered one of the key figures of 19th-century French opera music.

Innovators and Politicians

• Pilâtre de Rozier (1754–1785)
  Physicist and aviation pioneer
  A native of Metz who entered history as the first person to make a flight in a hot air balloon (Montgolfière) in 1783. His daring and passion for science opened the era of aeronautics for all humanity.
• Robert Schuman (1886–1963)
  Politician, diplomat, "Father of Europe"
  Although Schuman was born in Luxembourg, his political career is inextricably linked with Metz and the Moselle department, which he represented as a deputy for many years. His home is located in the suburbs of Metz (Scy-Chazelles). It was Schuman who proposed the plan to unite the coal and steel industries, which became the prototype for the European Union.
• Jean-Marie Pelt (1933–2015)
  Biologist, ecologist, and writer
  A distinguished scientist and deputy mayor of Metz who turned the city into a pioneer of urban ecology. Thanks to his vision, Metz gained its famous gardens, parks, and status as one of the greenest cities in France. Founder of the European Institute of Ecology.