Dreaming of a strategic spot? Place de Saverne has history. This place has seen settlements dating back to ancient times. Imagine the stories these stones could tell.
Place de Saverne’s story begins over two thousand years ago. Geography made it crucial. The easiest passage through the Vosges Mountains was here. The Vosges fault is least elevated here. The Lorraine plateau is close.
Gauls founded the oppidum of the Fossé des Pandours. It was at the summit of the Col de Saverne. This was at the end of the 2nd century BC. In the 1st century AD, Romans established a Gallo-Roman site called Usspann. It was at the top of the pass. Horses were changed here for the ascent. It was a relay post with inns, workshops, and shops.
The Romans set up a staging post at the foot of the pass. This was in the lower part of today’s town. The site’s strategic importance was clear. It controlled the route linking Metz and Strasbourg. With the Belfort gap, it was the main axis through the Vosges.
The first masonry fortification dates to the 3rd century. A Roman garrison likely stayed in Tabernis in 310. They built a large castrum to protect Gaul’s borders. This enclosure was about 1,000 meters in circumference. It had 37 towers. In 357, Ammien Marcellin mentioned Tres Tabernae. This was during Emperor Julian’s campaign against the Alamans. The Roman presence ended in the early 5th century. Many Gallo-Roman artifacts are in the museum.
Saverne’s history during the early Middle Ages is not well-known. Germanized, it was called Ziaberna in the late 5th century.
From the 12th century, Saverne held a special place. It was linked to the bishops of Strasbourg. The Château du Haut-Barr appeared then. The bishops made sure to control it. In 1236, one bishop gained suzerainty over the town. Emperor Frederick II granted it. The bishops remained masters of Saverne until the Revolution.
The Steigen brothers founded a convent and church in 1303. This is today’s Église des Récollets. The convent’s cloister is notable. It features Gothic bays and murals from the 16th and 17th centuries.
In 1394, under Guillaume de Diest, the town became the residence. It was the seat of the bishops’ administration. This meant territories belonging to the bishop. These had nothing to do with the diocese’s extent. The Episcopal Regency handled administration, justice and finances. Its services were in the Chancellery. This is the current High Court. It is near the upper castle. The upper castle houses the sub-prefecture now.
Albert de Bavière and Guillaume de Honstein particularly marked the city. They oversaw important works. These were at the Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Nativité. They also worked at the upper castle. The town grew between the 15th and 18th centuries. Religious buildings, administrative structures, and residences were built. These can still be seen in the upper town. The population grew significantly. Staff arrived for administrative functions.
The Reformation did not take hold in the episcopal city. However, it saw massacres during the Peasants’ War. In 1525, insurgent peasants entered the city. The Duke of Lorraine besieged it. The surrender ended in a massacre. Soldiers devastated the city. During much of the 17th century, the episcopal city suffered. Conflicts between France and Germany affected it. The suburbs and lower town were regularly hit.
Some well-visible remains of ramparts exist today. These ramparts were destroyed and restored several times.
Saverne experienced prosperity in the 18th century. This was under the four Rohan family bishops. The Château inférieur des Furstenberg was renovated. Its park was greatly expanded. Sumptuous festivals took place here. It was called “Alsatian Versailles”. The first “bypass” of the town dates from this period. This is the current Route du Col de Saverne. It was completed in 1737. The population increased sharply during this century. It rose from 1,400 inhabitants in the late 17th century to 4,151 in 1791.
Place de Saverne stands as a testament to Saverne’s long and varied past. Its role as a strategic location is clear. Its connection to religious and political powers shaped its identity. Take a moment to appreciate the layers of history beneath your feet.