NEVERS, nc-var'. The capital of the Depart ment of Nievre. France. and formerly of the Province of N ivernais. situated on a hill in the midst of fertile plains at the confluence of the Loire and the Nievre, 140 miles southeast of Paris (Map: France. K 51. It is an important railway junction. The old portion of the town is with narrow, crooked streets, but the modern portion has wide streets and a time park. A gateway containing a Gallo-Roman museum, and two towers, are preserved remains of the mediaeval fortifications. The feudal ducal castle is for the Palace of Justice and also con tains a museum. The chief ecclesiastical build ings are the Romanesque eleventh century ('hunch of Saint. Etienne, awl the recently restored Cathe dral of Saint Cyr, built in the thirteenth century on the site of a prior church, the west portion of Ivhich is incorporated in the present building: the cathedral is noted for its double apse and fine sculptures and paintings. The town pos sesses a public library, and numerous education al, scientific. and benevolent institutions. It has
manufactures of lam and copper ware, cheiniea Is, porcelain and cloth, an engine-fitting factory, formerly a famous naval caution foundry. and oil mills. Neyers is the ancient Noviodunum, an important town of the .Edui. It has been an episcopal see since the sixth century. when it was called Nivernum. The town became the seat of the counts of Neyers in the tenth century and was created a dukedom by Francis I. in 15:38. The dukedom of Nevers passed by marriage to a member of the family of Gonzaga, the ducal house of Mantua. On the extinction of the Gonzaga line in Mantua in 1627. Charles, Duke of Nevers. claimed the duchy. He was supported by France. and opposed by Spain and Austria. The War of the :11antuan Succession which ensued ended in the recognition of the (lain) of Charles of Nevers. in 1630. The population of Nevers in 1900 was 27,673.