METZ, the strongest fortress of the German imperial territory of Alsace-Lorraine, and capital of the distict of Lorraine; before 1871, the main bulwark of France in her north eastern frontier, and capital of the department of Moselle. It is situated on the Moselle at its confluence with the Seille. The strength of Metz consists in its exterior defenses, of which the principal are 11 forts; partly strengthened and improved since the German occupation, and partly entirely new. The city contains many important institutions, barracks, hospital, military schools, and arsenals. The cathedral, a Gothic edifice, begun in 1014, and finished in 1546, is remarkable for its boldness, lightness, and elegance, and has a beautiful spire of open'work, 373 ft. in height. The industry of Metz is active; there is a good trade in wine, brandy, indigo, glass; and there are several cloth manu factories in the neighborhood. The pop. of Metz, which in 1869 was 48,325, had in 1875, by reason of emigration into France, decreased to 37,925, or with garrison, 45,856.
Metz, known to the Romans as Dhodurum, IVIIS afterwards called Mettis (corrupted from Mediomatrici, the name of the people), and hence the present form. Under the Franks, Metz was the capital of Austrasia (q.v.). At the division of Charlemagne's' empire, Metz, with the rest of Lorraine (q.v.), fell to Germany, and was afterwards made a free city of the empire. In 1552 it was treacherously taken possession of by the French; and although Charles V. besieged the place from October, 1552, to January, 1553, they kept it till it was formally ceded to them in 1648. In August, 1870, Bazaine was com pelled to retire into Metz with his army; and after an investment of 70 days, during which no attempt was made to take the city by force (not even a single shell having been fired into it), Europe was startled to hear of the capitulation of Metz, by which 180,000 men and immense rnilitary stores fell into German hands (Oct. 27, 1870). By the treaty of Frankfort, Metz was annexed to Germany as part of Lorraine.