Saverne, Alsace

There are gateways and there are gateways in the world, which lead from one country to another. But Saverne, Alsace in France is one such gateway, which does not have a parallel anywhere else in the world. Saverne, Alsace opens the gateway between France and other European countries, more so with Switzerland and Germany is facilitated by the gateway Saverne. This beautiful city in Alsace, France provides one of the most spectacular sights as the topography meanders down from the Phalsbourg Plateau going down to caress the Zorn valley and graduating into the plains of Rhine. The viewfinder that captures the landscape of Saverne mesmerizes and the charm that is cast on the senses by the awe-inspiring geographical contours of Saverne cannot be limited by the contours of written letters. It provides myriad contrasts in the landscape, which on the one hand is a bare flat and open country, while on the other you come face to face with the slopes of Vosges, that rises from nowhere. The slopes of Vosges in the Saverne are covered with dark, thick forests. Series of mountains engulf the landscape from both the sides in the southern part of Saverne. It is endowed with remarkable geographical positioning, near the Zorn and the Marne au Rhin Canal which is the fault line separating Vosges into two parts. The geographical positioning of this city on the physical landscape has contributed to give Saverne, Alsace-France an eventful history.

Unicorn is the representative symbol of Saverne. According to the folklore, unicorn came to be associated with Saverne, as it was found lying amongst the ruins of the castles in the vicinity of the city. However, there is a difference of opinion whether the find in actuality was a horn of unicorn. People are of the view that it could be a norwhal's tooth mistaken to be a unicorn.

Saverne has got fame for itself for the rose garden in the city, which is locally called as La roseraie. Saverne is host to international contests of new roses every year. If you visit the garden you would be in heaven as there are more than 550 varieties of roses to swoon you off your feet.

The name Saverne is derived from the three taverns of Julius Caesar. Saverne was the place where the oxen where changed as it was the point from where the steep incline announcing the arrival of Lorraine plateau popped up into the landscape so a fresh pair of oxen were ploughed in to pull through the incline.