Metz (Moselle). Allée de la Tour des Esprits : « Fermeté de la Grève »

The fortifications of Metz, constructed in the early 13th century to protect outer quarters beyond its late antique ramparts, once encompassed 160 hectares with over 5.5 kilometers of walls. By the end of the Middle Ages, these defenses had largely been dismantled by the mid-16th century and rendered obsolete by Vauban's modern fortification system in the late 17th century. Today, remnants spanning approximately 1,000 meters remain, primarily in Metz's eastern sector, preserving a tangible link to its medieval military architecture. This study reconstructs the historical evolution of Metz's fortifications, highlighting their transition from ancient ramparts to Vauban-era defenses, and examines the archaeological evidence that underscores this shift.

Trapp, J. (2012). Metz (Moselle). Allée de la Tour des Esprits : « Fermeté de la Grève ». Archéologie Médiévale, 42, 321. https://doi.org/10.4000/archeomed.11129