Verdun is a symbol of World War I and its bloody battles. The siege of the local fortress and the fights fought in the area were among the bloodiest during the entire conflict. Currently, Verdun is called the City of Peace, and the local cemeteries and the remains of the fortress remind of its tragic past.
The city already existed in the early Middle Ages. In the Carolingian era it was an important administrative center. In 843, Charlemagne issued the famous treaty that divided his monarchy between three sons, which became one of the foundations of the founding of modern France and Germany.
At the end of the 19th century, due to the increasing tensions between European powers, Verdun was turned into a fortress. During World War I, it was one of the most important points of the Western Front. Some of the forts of the Verdun Fortress, which are among the most important military attractions of Western Europe, have survived to this day. You can visit, among others, forts: Vaux, Souville and Thiaumont. The basement of the fortress is also accessible, where you can visit exhibitions devoted to its history.
While exploring Verdun and the surrounding area, you can also visit mausoleums and cemeteries from World War I. In total, over 300,000 died in the battles in these areas. soldiers. The most famous of such places is the Douaumont Ossuary and Mausoleum. The former Bishop's Palace in Verdun now houses the World Center for Peace, Freedom and Human Rights.
Due to the destruction of subsequent wars that swept through the Franco-German border, there are not many monuments in Verdun. The oldest of them is the cathedral, which dates back to the 9th century. The present building has a Gothic appearance and dates back to the 14th century.
