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Of the original 17 city gates, only the German Gate in the east remains. Named after the former hospital of the Teutonic Order, which stood nearby, it was built as an entrance to the city on a bridge over the Seuille River. A medieval structure straight out of a picture book.

Former water tower used to supply steam locomotives in the adjacent main station. Future use is still being planned.

The origin of “Pont-à-Domangeville is lost in the mists of time. The Roman road from Metz to the Rhine already passed through there. Under the old regime, it was a tiny separate lordship, with a toll bridge. Usually blocked and padlocked, to cross it you had to pay a fee, depending on the livestock and products passed through. The lordship belonged in the 13th century to the Saint-Vincent de Metz abbey, then to the successive lords of Domangeville; in 1716, to the Laubrussels, then to the Leuryses, finally to the Thomas de Pange. It included, in addition to the bridge, the road - 50 toises on this side, 18 beyond - the bed of the Nied on both sides and, on the south-east bank, land with a hostelry (current Mayot farm) . In 1789, the community of Bazoncourt declared in its list of grievances “the enlightenment of the State and the kindness of the King will undoubtedly eliminate a right of final injustice perceived at Pont-à-Domangeville. However poor a plowman he may be, he pays three does and several pay without passing through.” After the revolution, the bridge had to be repaired. Paradoxically, the general council had the expenditure entered in the 1814 and 1815 rolls of the localities which had subscribed to the bridge in 1766. On this ordeal is inscribed: “This monument of our redemption was erected by the care of MM. De Pange, de Courten, Devaux and Dauphin, Commissioners responsible for the reconstruction of this bridge, in the year of our Lord 1816. During the reconstruction work and near the bridge, Joseph GRANDIDIER de Hernicourt and François ANIEL perished in the waters on July 20 from Domangeville, both attached to the service of the neighboring farm »

Two people died during the reconstruction of the bridge over the Nied Française in Domangeville in 1816.

Impressive and well-preserved gate of the medieval city fortifications on the Seille.

Impressive and beautifully designed water tower that is part of the station ensemble. Of course, this is not “antique”, but comes from the imperial era.

Impressive and beautifully designed water tower that is part of the station ensemble.

"...One of the sights in Metz that really impressed me was the German Gate (Porte des Allemands). It is an imposing city gate that looks like a small castle with its massive towers and double gate. It was built in the 13th century and was part of the city wall that..." Find out more about the sights of Metz in my blog post: 👉 https://www.netreisetagebuch.de/metz-sehenswuerdigkeiten/