In the 5th century, Metz Cathedral was only a small sanctuary dedicated to Saint Stephen. A church was rebuilt on the ruins in 965 and became a Romanesque basilica in 1040. The will to turn it into a Gothic cathedral was made concrete in 1220, and its construction ended in 1552. After the fire of its roof in 1877, the German governance of the city decided to modify it. The cathedral experienced numerous other changes until 1918, when Metz became part of France again. Today, the Flamboyant Gothic cathedral is still the pride of the inhabitants.