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The largest and most
important city of the Languedoc is also the youngest. Its history starts only in
the 10th century. Next to old monuments the new buildings also draw much
attention. Montpellier has important industries and a university of more than
50,000 students. (1 on 4 citizens studies or pretends to studyJ
Let�s see a little bit of history. The first time Montpellier is named is in
985. It resulted from two, hamlets that were subdued to the count of Maguelone
and Guilhem. Because of its excellent location at the pilgrim route to
Compostela and near the salt route and the Mediterranean Sea, it soon grew to an
important commercial and harbor place. The citizens became rich with the
commerce of spices and paint. In addition to that count the foundation of the
university in the 13th century. Being in possession of the king of Aragon from
1204 to 1349 it became finally subject of the French crown.
An anecdote: to show its piety and to divert all bad luck, a candle of 3,900
meters was manufactured, the same length as the existing city walls. Of course
the candle was not a straight but a curved one. As the candle burned, it was
rolled out until it extinguished. During the religious wars Montpellier was very
influenced by the new Protestant philosophy, so far that King Louis XIII
besieged the city in 1622 and after the city fell, the citadel was built.
Montpellier became the capital of Languedoc and a lot of high officials built a
beautiful homer in the city.
In the 19th century the town even flourished more thanks to the wine industry
and to imitate Paris, large avenues with high buildings were built, an opera, a
theater and many other buildings.
The next chapters will take you on a visit through Montpellier. |
