The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-06-19
accomplished Its complete deliveranc'
Has Twenty-Seven Palaces.


Has Twenty-seven Palaces.
Metz is a fine city, possessing no
less than q palaces" few of which
are really worth considering. All the
houses Of the Place st. Croix. for in
stance, most Of which date from the
fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, are
built on the remains OF Roman aque-
ducts and vaults. The Place st. Louis
still boasts of many houses which are
classed as historical monuments, with
crenelated roofs, and which, in the
fifteenth and sixteenth centuries were
the residences of money-changers. The
Place de la Coincide, which is encir-
cled by the Moselle, is decorated at
one of its extremities by fine quin-
cunx. while the Place Royale is the
largest of which Metz can boast. (
The cathedral, originally known as
the Church of st. Etienne is a Gothic
building which was begun in the first
years of the third century by Thierry
III, bishop Of Metz, and finished in
1916. The beautiful stained-glass win
dows date from the fourteenth and
sixteenth centuries; those of the choir
are the work of an Alsatian artist
named Valentine Bousch. Relics of
Roman domination are found even in
the cathedral; the baptismal font is an
antique, red porphyry bath, while the
pulpit of st. Clement was carved In
the summit of a Roman column.
The cathedral of Metz is one of the
largest Gothic basilicas in existence;
the nave was first built in 1882, under
the direction Of Adhemar of Monteil,
Frenchman. The choir dates from
1903, but the nave was only closed In
1854 by a facade which, 1t must be
admitted, though due to the celebrated
Blondel, spells the aspect of the edi-
fee by its classic outlines.
Some Interesting Churches.
Metz possesses several curious
churches. among which the Church Of
ST. Sigolene, dating from the end of
the twelfth century. possesses some
particularly fine stained glass, and
chapel executed after the design of the
Sainte Chappelle of Paris. The church
Of the old abbey of st. Vincent, 124S,
is remarkable for its fine nave sup
ported by II pillars. the chapters of
which are decorated by small columns.
The Church of st. Clement, all that re-
mains of a Benedictine monastery, was
constructed in the seventeenth cen
fury; while the oratory of the monas-
terry of the Templars, belonging to the
twelfth century and situated In the
citadel. also offers real archaeological
interest.
Metz contains many picturesque re-
mains of the past, such as the old for
titled house dating from the twelfth
century, with its quadrangular dun
geon, situated In the Rue DIES Trini-
taires. In the Rue Nexirue there is a
charming residence. and in the Rue
Jurue a curious old door. which. II is
said, was the entrance 10 an oratory
of the Templars. Rue de la Tete dor
commentaries the famous hosiery of
the same name, which has unfortu-
nately disappeared. Ii was In this inn
that the most brilliant banquets were
given at Metz during the middle ages,
when both the mobiles and "ruffians"
amused themselves with tournaments,
nautical festivals, bontires. process
sions, cavalcades, and representations
Of mysteries" renowned throughout
the whole region.
The greater part Of the remaining
public buildings TO be seen In Metz
were appropriated during the German
occupation for military purposes and
will no doubt continue TO be so used,
now that Lorraine is once more united
TO France. Metz is surrounded by no
less than II fortresses built since 1857,
and chiefly since 1871. The city is,
moreover. protected by Fashioned
rampant, built In 1874 on the plans OF
vauban and Of Carmontaigne, but In
which two gates. dating from the fif-
teenth and sixteenth centuries, have
been carefully preserved. Seven other
gates give access 10 the stanch old
city, the most curious being the gate OF
the Germans. built In 1445, and
through which the indomitable troops
Of General Mangin recently made their