Thérouanne

Therouanne (Dutch Terwaan outdated, even Teren Castle ) is a commune with 1087 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Pas -de- Calais, in the Nord -Pas -de -Calais. It belongs to the arrondissement of Saint- Omer and the canton of Aire -sur -la -Lys.

History

At the time of the Gauls was Therouanne (Latin Tarvenna ) is the capital of the Belgian tribe of the Morini. He received after the conquest of Gaul, a Roman population and became capital of the region. In the 7th century, perhaps around 639, Acarius founded here the diocese Terwaan. Audomar ( 600-670 ) was bishop here.

The city was twice, 880 and 882, sacked by the Normans.

The ecclesiastical control, the Therouanne over the entire area west of the Scheldt exercised and also the richest cities encompassed north of the Alps, such as Ghent and Arras, replied the bishop in a position to build a cathedral, which was the largest in France at that time.

Politically, Therouanne only to the County of Flanders, then to the county of Artois.

Due to its location, the city has always occupied an important strategic position, especially during the Italian Wars ( 1494 to 1559 ). The floor, the walls were pulled, torn and plowed the roads, barren salt: destroyed in retaliation for a defeat at Metz in summer 1553 on the orders of Emperor Charles V. - After a final siege of the city was - a French enclave in the Holy Roman Empire made. The population left the city, called only a small community outside the city walls, Saint -Martin- outre- eaux, remained and took over probably around 1800, the old name for itself Therouanne. Parts of the portal of the cathedral and the colossal statue of Grand Dieu de Therouanne were brought to the Cathedral of Saint- Omer.

The disappearance of the city led to the Council of Trent to a general reform of the bishoprics. The diocese Therouanne was dissolved in 1557 and distributed to the dioceses of Saint- Omer and Ypres.

The site of the old cathedral since the end of the 19th century venue of archaeological excavations. In addition, studies in the previous Kanonikerviertel have been started in recent times. The main findings are exhibited in the small local museum, but the most important remains of the city remain in Saint- Omer.