Cead Mile Failte

On Saturday Photo Hunt my architecture shot was of the Cathedral in and the Palais du Rhin in Strasbourg, France. Well I found so many interesting things about the city (beautiful photo here), that I thought I would turn it into a TT.

I have been there and I loved the city. Here is one of my favourite shots of the buildings in the area called Petite France, where buildings like this are a common site. Here's the same building from Wikipedia.

INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT THE STRASBOURG, France

1. Strasbourg is part of the Northeastern area, known as the Alsace region of France.


2. It has a population of 650,000 and is right on the border of Germany.


3. Strasbourg became part of Germany and under German rule a number of times in it's history. (at least twice if I am counting right!)


4. During a dinner in Strasbourg organized by Mayor Frédéric de Dietrich on April 25, 1792, Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle composed "La Marseillaise", the National Anthem of France.


5. As a result of the Franco-Prussian War, in 1871 Strasbourg was annexed to become part of Germany in 1871, without a referendum, via the Treaty of Frankfurt.


6. As part of Imperial Germany, Strasbourg was rebuilt and developed into what was referred to as the Neue Stadt ("new city") including a newly constructed museum and library.


7. Following the defeat of Germany in WW1, the city was restored to France, again without plebiscite / referendum. There was little structural damage to the city as a result of the first WW.


8. Having been part of Germany for 47 years, Strasbourg remained heavily German-speaking well into the 20th century and Germany continued to covet it under Nazi rule.


9. Following the Fall of France in 1940 during WW2, the city was annexed (yet again) by Nazi Germany. As one of the first official acts, the new rulers burnt and razed the main synagogue that had been a major architectural landmark and one of the largest in Europe since its completion in the late 1890's.


10. After the war, Strasbourg was returned to France. There was extensive damage to the city caused by the Anglo-American bombers during raids in 1944, one of which was allegedly carried out by mistake.


11. On November 22, 1944, the city was officially liberated by Général Leclerc, a major street now commemorates the day of liberation.


12. In 2000, an Islamist plot to blow up the cathedral was prevented by German police.


13. On July 6, 2001, during an open-air concert in the Parc de Pourtalès, a single falling tree caused one of the worst disasters of its kind in history, killing thirteen people and injuring close to hundred.

Photo and video editing at onetruemedia.com

Bet you thought my TT was going to be all about Ireland for St. Patty's Day ay?

Happy St. Patrick's Day all you Thursday Thirteeners!

P.S. Mrs Lifecruiser is having a V-cruise starting on Friday March 16. What's a V-cruise you ask? A virtual cruise!! Some call it a Cyber Cruise. Read all about it here and here.

Yours truly is hosting it on March 20th at a surprise destination port! Mysteries abound!

Labels: Strasbourg, Thursday Thirteen