Place de la République, Square in Metz, France
The Place de la République is a large rectangular square in the heart of Metz, France, built between 1802 and 1816 on the site of old ramparts and a former citadel moat. Today it is a pedestrian space lined with trees and water features, surrounded by buildings such as the Banque de France and the courthouse.
The square was created in the early 19th century on land that had served as part of the city's old fortifications, and excavations later uncovered Roman remains beneath it. Its name changed several times depending on who ruled Metz, passing through Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz and Platz des Führers before returning to its current name after 1945.
The square borders the Esplanade and the former Caserne Ney, giving it a distinctive urban setting. A sculpture by Fratin showing a deer attacked by eagles stands on the square, and many visitors walk past it without stopping to look.
The square is open to pedestrians at all times and served by several bus lines, with stops right at République. An underground shopping gallery called Station République is directly accessible from the surface and connected to nearby shops.
During excavations in the 2000s, a Roman altar from the 2nd century was found beneath the square. This discovery shows that the site was already in use long before the city took its current form.
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