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Place d'Armes, the center of the old town. Belfort is the capital of the Territory of Belfort, East France, in Alsace. A major fortress town since the 17th century, it commands the Belfort Gap, or Burgundy Gate, between the Vosges and the Jura mountains, thus dominating the roads from France, Switzerland, and Germany. An Austrian possession, Belfort passed to France by the Peace of Westphalia (1648) and was fortified by Vauban (the renowned French military engineer).
Brisach's Gate, built in 1687 by Vauban.
During the Franco-Prussian War (1870–71) the garrison withstood a siege of 108 days. Partly in acknowledgment of this heroism, the Germans left Belfort and the surrounding territory to France when they annexed the rest of Alsace. Many Alsatians then took refuge in the town and contributed significantly to its industrial growth. The siege is commemorated by a huge statue, the Lion of Belfort, by Bartholdi, the French sculptor best known for the creation of the Statue of Liberty.
Lion of Belfort The city of Belfort is divided by the Savoureuse river into two distinct parts: on the river's west bank there are extensive industrial and commercial areas and housing estates; on the east bank, lies the old town dominated by the fortified castle and citadel and the famous "Lion".
Savoureuse river -- looking south.
Place de la Republique The Monument des trois Sièges, another work of Bartholdi, depicts France and the city of Belfort with their three defenders: Legrand, Lecourbe and Denfert-Rochereau. It stands in the center of Place de la République, which houses the Préfecture, the Palais de Justice (Court House) and the Salle des Fêtes (Festival Hall).
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