Republic square in its present form emerged relatively recently, in 1854. In its history there is almost no bloody excesses typical of other Paris areas. But the place where it is located, has one of the most dark and mysterious pages of the middle ages.

In 1222, Treasurer of the knights Templar Hubert founded the near future square impregnable castle temple is the Central tower with a 12-storey, eight-meter wall thickness. After the defeat in Palestine, the Templars moved here most of their treasures. In this part of town the power of the order was undeniable. But early on the morning of 13 October 1307, Royal officials opened sealed orders to arrest the knights Templar throughout France. It is in the temple was concluded then Grand master of the order, Jacques de Molay, in 1314 he was burned on Ile de La Cité. From this point the castle was inhabited by members of the Royal family – the king took all the property of the order.

From the XIV century near the Temple passed the city wall, built by Charles V. In 1670 Louis XIV took it: Paris changed the look, the fortified city had become the capital. The king managed to destroy the castle of the knights Templar and subsequently languished before his execution.

In 1808 the castle prison was demolished already Napoleon. Small, quiet area that was previously in front of the Temple, the Emperor in 1811 and was decorated with a fountain, it was called the Place du Chateau d O. the Only time in its history, the crossroads bloodied in 1835: "a man, Joseph Fieschi tried to kill the king Louis-Philippe, using infernal machine out of 24 guns. The king received a scratch, 12 people were killed. But the attempt does not diminish another glory of the square: here in the first half of the nineteenth century were lots of theaters. Here was born the image of the sad Pierrot.

Changes occurred in 1854: the reformer of Paris, Baron Haussmann, paving wide straight highways, dramatically expanded the area. Theatres were demolished. There were barracks, the area turned into a huge military parade ground rectangular shape. In 1879 it was renamed in memory of the Third Republic, laid the foundations of modern society. In the square erected a 10-metre statue of the Republic of the work of the brothers Leopold and Charles Maurice – in a Laurel wreath, with an olive branch in his hand. Three female figures represent around Freedom, Equality and Brotherhood. In front of the pedestal stands a bronze lion.

Now Republic square is the main place of demonstrations of Parisians in the protection of human rights and social justice.