As a result the city and its people combine both the efficiency and work ethic of the Germans with lightness and sophistication of the French.
The name of the city is of Germanic origin and comes from Strateburgum (town 'at the crossing' of roads) due to its geographical position on the west bank of the Rhine. Nowadays it can be called 'the city of trams' for its developed tram network.
The city was a major commercial center already in the Middle Ages, with the beginning of the construction of the Notre-Dame Cathedral. The Renaissance brought it to intellectual and artistic heights. In 1566 there was founded the university, attracting the leading figures of the Reformation.
Protestant iconoclasm caused considerable upheaval in 16-17 centuries.
In September 1681 Strasbourg was annexed by France, bringing stability and reasserting the economic strength of the city.
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