Concerning the original location of Strasbourg, one is obliged to highlight the following two perfectly obvious and contradictory aspects:
-the location was advantageous as it represented a potentially powerful circulation hub with its dense system of water canals and land paths;
-the location was unexceptional, almost adverse, as it was an essentially inundated zone which meant that the site would not be conducive to protecting the health of its residents. In particular, malaria would not be eradicated before the 19th century!

Favourably disposed, it is by its situation at the centre of an important long narrow excavation dug into the earth from the Rhine, which was the result of the successive collapsing of the earth's crust in the Tertiary Period. In this "trench" which stretches from the Mediterranian to the Lake Mjösa in Sweden, the Rhine is but a late host. The Rhine's contribution to the location is substantial: the Alpine alluvial deposits and its sand and gravel sediments set the stage for an imposing layer of underground water which would aliment the springs.

Water is everywhere, whether it be underground (two to eight meters below the earth) or fluvial. Water plays a dual role in the history of the city: assisting communication via canal transport routes as well as providing a natural defence.

In addition, the hills of limestone at the foot of the Vosges Mountains provided fertile earth for vineyards, which would produce excellent wines, playing an important role in the later economy of Strasbourg.

The climate, on the other hand, did not appear advantageous. The semi-continental climate favours the extremes; it is either very cold or very hot. Nonetheless, despite all the negative factors, this location would be accepted, built and developed by successive generations of varied people.

In Strasbourg, perhaps more than elsewhere, humanism was introduced via theology. As humanism constituted a return to the texts of ancient authors and their philosophies, the city with its highly developed culture offered a rich terrain in which to cultivate the movement.

The important predecessor to humanism in Strasbourg was Jean Geiler de Kaysersberg. For over thirty years, he would exercise a spiritual pre-eminence, which would lay the groundwork for the Reformation. As a very powerful speaker, he emphasized "Narrenschiff" (Ship of Fools) from Sébastien Brant and gave critical speeches in which he would imagine the daily lives of the Strasborgeois, dotted with a scathing humour. His reputation spread quickly throughout the Empire and he would be often called to give advice to Maximilien the First. It was he the "Bossuet Alsacien" who would be responsible for attracting the following humanists: Sébastien Brant, Jacques Wimpfeling and Beatus Rhenanus to Strasbourg.

In August of 1514, Erasme de Rotterdam, the European prince of the humanists, came to Strasbourg. His visit consecrated the city's fame. He, himself, would be very impressed by Strasbourg and wrote the following: "I saw a government ruled by one, but without despotism, an aristocracy without factions, a democracy without disorder, wealth without excess, a happiness without arrogance. Can one imagine anything happier than this harmony? Oh, divine Plato, if only you had the luck to have known such a regime; here, in fact, it would have been possible to introduce your ideal state..."

At the beginning of the 16th century, the sky became overcast in Strasbourg, as it did over most of Europe. Christianity was shook by the successive shockwaves sent by the Reformation movement, which was as socio-political as it was religious. Luther's message was lucid: everything should be re-entered on a Gospel which was accessible to all, on a faith which abolished distinctions between the clergy and laity, on a Church whose power was no longer elusive, and this reality should be integrated in the very heart of the city.

Strasbourg, as one of the European printing capitals, would greatly contribute to the diffusion, within the city as well as outside the country, of the writings, drafts and especially the new examples of the New Testament. Even more important than what was written was the powerful pulpit of the city. The stars of the city were the preachers. Their preaching were not more revolutionary than Jesus' gospel message, however they were almost as good. Their message focussed on the following concepts: the liberation of man from the yoke of religious and political injustices, the affirmation of the priority of love over law, the denunciation of ecclesiastical abuse, the affirmation of an ethic based on social fraternity and justice, and of a living personal faith rather than religious obligation. 

Nowhere else, in all of Alsace, could one find a more fertile ground for the Reformation than Strasbourg. And nowhere else would the events under the very same Reformation change more profoundly the political situation than in this "Free city". Assuredly Strasbourg occupied, at the beginning of the 16 th centuries, an important place among the great cities of the Holy Empire. The period that followed would be called the "Golden Age", the culminating point in the history of the "Free City".

Until then changes took place without much trouble. The changes in the countryside were more extreme. In the country, the radical preachers from Strasbourg preached a mixture of revolutionary social and gospel ideas, hinting that the city would support the farmers who were tempted by revolt. However, the Duke of Lorraine had already made motions to re-establish the old order and Catholicism in Alsace.

Strasbourg opened its arms wide to those fleeing the revolts in the country and welcomed Jews, priests, landowners and nobles. The city refused to give help or assistance to the farmer’s responsible for the massacres in Lupstein, Saverne or Scherwiller.

The Reformation made Strasbourg a city brimming with new ideas as well as a refuge for the persecuted and the exiled. Unfortunately, the second part of the century was less creative and the city faded. This was partly due to the victory of the Emperor Charles-Quintus over the league of Protestants of which the city of Strasbourg was comprised. The Cathedral and two other churches were resituated to the Catholic Church. A series of bank collapses due to the disrespect of financial commitments by other European states in conjunction with a recession destabilized the money and provoked a strong inflation. Demographically, the city regressed and by the end of the 16 th century had only 22,000 citizens. On every level, with the exception of the military fortifications, the city became more fragile and lost a good deal of its prestige in Europe. Strasbourg would soon be up for grabs...

Strasbourg was practically on its knees by October 1870. The city was severely damaged: its population was suffering from famine, illness and a hard winter. Its leaders, such as the Mayor Kuss or Schneegans, adopted a realistic attitude and, at the risk of being considered double-faced, they engaged in a positive protest. Between 1870 and 1918, Strasbourg grew from 85,000 to 180,000 inhabitants. As the urban fabric changed considerably so would the living conditions. It was important to Germany to show its power and capacities through Strasbourg: the city became a first-rate military fort, a radiant example of German architectural and urban know-how, a glowing example of public health, and be endowed the conditions necessary for modern circulation. A great number of buildings of quality were constructed in a very short time: the Kaiserpalast (the Emperor's Palace) was constructed from 1883 to 1887, the current National and University Library, the Post Office, the Train Station, the Saint-Paul Church and the Saint-Maurice Church. In addition the University Palace and the Civil Hospital were remarkably expanded and modernized. In 1915, the tramway circulated.

From an essentially commercial city, as it was in 1870, Strasbourg became a port and an industrial centre. The new station linked Strasbourg with Germany and the regularization of the flow of the Rhine was developed with the creation of the Austerlitz Port and the Port of the Rhine. Evidently, commerce was stimulated and was further supported by the important banks. Gas and electricity lit up the city, furnishing domestic and industrial energy.

The city greatly changed in its population and societal components. Part of the Strasbourgeois population left the city in 1872 to avoid becoming part of the German Empire. Battallions of Germans moved to the city. Around 1900, the Germans represented 40% of the population. The Germans also endowed the city with a new university that they wished to become prestigious. However, the over zealousness to Germanize the elite of Strasbourg could be compared to a transplant that would not be accepted.

Every day there is a performance at the Opera or at the Theatres, an exhibit at the Museums, a concert or a festival to attend in this city on the Rhine.

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