Saverne

Saverne (German Zabern), a town of France in the région of Alsace, situated on the Rhine-Marne canal at the foot of a pass over the Vosges Mountains, and 45 km (27 m.) N.W. of Strasbourg. It is a sous-préfecture of the Bas-Rhin département. Population (1999): 11,201.

History

Saverne (Tres Tabernae) was an important place in the time of the Roman Empire, and, after being destroyed by the Alamanni, was rebuilt by the emperor Julian.

Related Topics:
Roman Empire - Alamanni - Julian

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During the Peasants' War the town was occupied, in 1525, by the insurgents, who were driven out in their turn by Duke Anton of Lorraine. It suffered much from the ravages of the Thirty Years' War, but the episcopal palace, then destroyed, was subsequently rebuilt, and in 1852 was converted by Louis Napoleon into a place of residence for widows of knights of the Legion of Honour.

Related Topics:
Peasants' War - 1525 - Duke Anton of Lorraine - Thirty Years' War - 1852 - Louis Napoleon - Legion of Honour

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Saverne was conquered by the German empire, and regained by the French after World War I.

Related Topics:
German - World War I

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In 1912 a German subaltern killed a cobbler in Saverne for smiling at him, hence leading to the term Zabernism (from the German name of the town), meaning abuse of military authority, or unwarranted aggression.

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Historical population:

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• 1900: 8,499.