Place Kléber

The Place Kléber is the central square of Strasbourg, France. Place Kleber, the largest square at the center of the city of Strasbourg in the heart of the city's commercial area, was named after French revolutionary general Jean-Baptiste Kléber, born in Strasbourg in 1753. In the square is a statue of Kléber, under which is a vault containing his remains. On the north side of the square is the Aubette, built by Blondel in 1765-1772. Located in Strasbourg's historic center the area was classified a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1988, the first time such an honor was placed on an entire city center. 

History

The first name of Place Kléber was Barfüsserplatz ('square of the barefoot nuns' in German: square of the bare-feet-goers because a Franciscan monastery was standing along the square).

In the 17th century the name changed to Waffenplatz ('arms square' in German).

On 24 June 1840 the square was finally renamed for the French general Jean-Baptiste Kléber, also going by 'Kléberplatz' after German annexation.

During German occupation in 1940-1944, the place was renamed after Karl Roos, a local ethnically German politician executed by French authorities in 1940 on the charges of espionage for Germany.

Located in: L'Aubette
Address: 2 Rue de l'Outre, 67000 Strasbourg, France
Hours: Open 24 hours
Burials: Jean-Baptiste Kléber