List of cities in Luxembourg
Encyclopedia
Statute
A statute is a formal written enactment of a legislative authority that governs a state, city, or county. Typically, statutes command or prohibit something, or declare policy. The word is often used to distinguish law made by legislative bodies from case law, decided by courts, and regulations...
. Despite the status as cities
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
, they are not coherent urbanised areas
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
. They are similar to communes
Communes of Luxembourg
The communes of Luxembourg are the lowest nation-wide administrative division in Luxembourg. They conform to LAU level 2.Within the hierarchy of administrative subdivisions, communes come directly below cantons, which are directly below districts. Communes are often re-arranged, being merged or...
, but are elevated to a different legal status. There is a technical difference between the statuses of commune and cities, but this is limited in practicality. One difference is that échevins
Échevin (Luxembourg)
An échevin is a member of the administration of a Luxembourgian commune. Together, they form the collège échevinal , which helps the mayor run the administration...
in cities are formally appointed by the Grand Duke
Grand Duke of Luxembourg
The Grand Duke of Luxembourg is the sovereign monarch and head of state of Luxembourg. Luxembourg has been a grand duchy since 15 March 1815, when it was elevated from a duchy when placed in personal union with the United Kingdom of the Netherlands...
, whereas échevins for other communes are appointed by the Minister for the Interior
Minister for the Interior of Luxembourg
The Minister for the Interior of Luxembourg is responsible for regional planning, including relations with neighboring German, French and Belgian regions in the context of the "Grand Region of Luxembourg". He/she is also responsible for relations with the communes and, since 2009 again, for the...
.
History
Historically, this status was derived from a city's possession of a city charter, but city rights are now granted and regulated by statute. In the modern era, the status was first conferred on 24 February 1843, when seven of the eight cities that had previously been granted charters were reinstated as cities (ClervauxClervaux
Clervaux is a commune and town in northern Luxembourg, administrative capital of the canton of Clervaux.-History:The city was the site of heavy fighting during World War II, in the December 1944 .-Population:...
was not). They were (in the order given in the law): Luxembourg City, Diekirch
Diekirch
Diekirch is a commune with city status in north-eastern Luxembourg, capital city of the canton Diekirch and the district of Diekirch. The city is situated on the banks of the Sauer river....
, Grevenmacher
Grevenmacher
Grevenmacher is a commune with city status in eastern Luxembourg, near the border with Germany. It is the capital of the canton and the district of Grevenmacher...
, Echternach
Echternach
Echternach is a commune with city status in the canton of Echternach, which is part of the district of Grevenmacher, in eastern Luxembourg. Echternach lies near the border with Germany, and is the oldest town in Luxembourg....
, Wiltz
Wiltz
Wiltz is a commune with city status in north-western Luxembourg, capital of the canton Wiltz. Wiltz is situated on the banks of the river Wiltz. It was also a battleground in the Battle of the Bulge, near the end of World War II...
, Vianden
Vianden
Vianden is a commune with city status in the Oesling, north-eastern Luxembourg, with over 1,500 inhabitants. It is the capital of the canton of Vianden, which is part of the district of Diekirch. Vianden lies on the Our river, near the border between Luxembourg and Germany., the town of Vianden,...
, and Remich
Remich
Remich is a commune with city status in south-eastern Luxembourg with just under 3,000 inhabitants. It is the capital of the canton of Remich, which is part of the district of Grevenmacher. Remich lies on the left bank of the Moselle river, which forms part of the border between Luxembourg and...
.
For over sixty years, no more cities were added, but the vast demographic shift during the last part of the nineteenth century made it impossible to leave the arrangements unchanged. Thus, on 29 May 1906, Esch-sur-Alzette
Esch-sur-Alzette
Esch-sur-Alzette is a commune with city status, in south-western Luxembourg. It is the country's second city, and its second-most populous commune, with a population of 29,853 people...
was promoted; Esch was followed by Differdange
Differdange
Differdange is a commune with city status in south-western Luxembourg. Differdange is an industrial city that was home to much of Luxembourg's steel production, and lies near the borders with Belgium and France...
, Dudelange
Dudelange
Dudelange is a commune with city status in southern Luxembourg. It is the fourth-most populous commune, with over 18,300 inhabitants. Dudelange is situated close to the border to France....
, Ettelbruck
Ettelbruck
Ettelbruck is a commune with city status in central Luxembourg, with a population of approximately 7,500. As of 2005, the town of Ettelbruck itself, which lies in the east of the commune, has a population of 6,191. The town of Warken and Grentzingen are also within the commune...
, and Rumelange
Rumelange
Rumelange is a commune with city status in south-western Luxembourg, on the border with France., the town of Rumelange, which lies in the east of the commune, has a population of 4,818. It is also the site of some of the underground iron mines no longer in operation...
on 4 August 1907. An area of the (now extinct) commune of Hollerich
Hollerich
Hollerich is a quarter in south-western Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg.In 2001, the quarter had a population of 5,569 people.Hollerich railway station is located on Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois Line 70, which connects Luxembourg City to the south-west of the country...
was conferred the title on 7 April 1914, under the title of 'Hollerich-Bonnevoie
Bonnevoie
Bonnevoie is an area of south-eastern Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg. It is divided between the quarters of North Bonnevoie-Verlorenkost and South Bonnevoie. It is the biggest neighbourhood in the city, with more than 15,000 inhabitants....
'; this status was lost when Hollerich was merged into Luxembourg City on 26 March 1920.
The last such statute affecting city status in Luxembourg was the Loi communale du 13 décembre 1988. In the order outlined in that legislation (i.e. alphabetical, except with Luxembourg City first), the twelve communes with city status are: Luxembourg City, Diekirch, Differdange, Dudelange, Echternach, Esch-sur-Alzette, Ettelbruck, Grevenmacher, Remich, Rumelange, Vianden, and Wiltz.
List of cities
| Coat of arms | Name | Canton Cantons of Luxembourg ||The districts of Luxembourg are divided into 12 cantons. These cantons are subdivided into 116 communes. The cantons, listed by district, include:Diekirch District*Clervaux *Diekirch *Redange *Vianden *Wiltz Grevenmacher District... |
District Districts of Luxembourg The three districts of Luxembourg are the top-level administrative divisions of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The districts are further subdivided into cantons:#Diekirch District#*Diekirch#*Clervaux#*Redange#*Vianden#*Wiltz#Grevenmacher District... |
Area (km²) |
Population |
Date of law |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Diekirch Diekirch Diekirch is a commune with city status in north-eastern Luxembourg, capital city of the canton Diekirch and the district of Diekirch. The city is situated on the banks of the Sauer river.... Dikrech |
Diekirch Diekirch (canton) Diekirch is a canton in Luxembourg in Diekirch District, consisting of 12 communes:*Bettendorf*Bourscheid*Diekirch*Ermsdorf*Erpeldange*Ettelbruck*Feulen*Hoscheid*Medernach*Mertzig*Reisdorf*Schieren... |
Diekirch Diekirch (district) The District of Diekirch is one of three districts of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It contains 5 cantons divided into 43 communes:#Clervaux#*Clervaux#*Consthum#*Heinerscheid#*Hosingen#*Munshausen#*Troisvierges#*Weiswampach#*Wincrange#Diekirch... |
12.42 | 6,165 | 24 February 1843 |
| Differdange Differdange Differdange is a commune with city status in south-western Luxembourg. Differdange is an industrial city that was home to much of Luxembourg's steel production, and lies near the borders with Belgium and France... Déifferdeng |
Esch-sur-Alzette Esch-sur-Alzette (canton) Esch-sur-Alzette is a canton in the south-west of Luxembourg, in Luxembourg District. The capital is Esch-sur-Alzette.The canton consists of the following 14 communes:*Bettembourg*Differdange*Dudelange*Esch-sur-Alzette*Frisange*Kayl*Leudelange... |
Luxembourg Luxembourg (district) The District of Luxembourg, sometimes of Luxemburg, is one of three districts of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It contains four cantons, divided into 47... |
22.18 | 19,005 | 4 August 1907 | |
| Dudelange Dudelange Dudelange is a commune with city status in southern Luxembourg. It is the fourth-most populous commune, with over 18,300 inhabitants. Dudelange is situated close to the border to France.... Diddeleng |
Esch-sur-Alzette Esch-sur-Alzette (canton) Esch-sur-Alzette is a canton in the south-west of Luxembourg, in Luxembourg District. The capital is Esch-sur-Alzette.The canton consists of the following 14 communes:*Bettembourg*Differdange*Dudelange*Esch-sur-Alzette*Frisange*Kayl*Leudelange... |
Luxembourg Luxembourg (district) The District of Luxembourg, sometimes of Luxemburg, is one of three districts of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It contains four cantons, divided into 47... |
21.38 | 17,618 | 4 August 1907 | |
 |
Echternach Echternach Echternach is a commune with city status in the canton of Echternach, which is part of the district of Grevenmacher, in eastern Luxembourg. Echternach lies near the border with Germany, and is the oldest town in Luxembourg.... Iechternach |
Echternach Echternach (canton) Echternach is a canton in the east of Luxembourg, in the Grevenmacher District. The capital is Echternach.The canton consists of the following eight communes:*Beaufort*Bech*Berdorf*Consdorf*Echternach*Mompach*Rosport*Waldbillig-See also:... |
Grevenmacher Grevenmacher (district) The District of Grevenmacher is one of three districts of Luxembourg. It contains 3 cantons divided into 26 communes:#Echternach#*Beaufort#*Bech#*Berdorf#*Consdorf#*Echternach#*Mompach#*Rosport#*Waldbillig#Grevenmacher#*Betzdorf#*Biwer... |
20.49 | 4,507 | 24 February 1843 |
 |
Esch-sur-Alzette Esch-sur-Alzette Esch-sur-Alzette is a commune with city status, in south-western Luxembourg. It is the country's second city, and its second-most populous commune, with a population of 29,853 people... Esch-Uelzecht |
Esch-sur-Alzette Esch-sur-Alzette (canton) Esch-sur-Alzette is a canton in the south-west of Luxembourg, in Luxembourg District. The capital is Esch-sur-Alzette.The canton consists of the following 14 communes:*Bettembourg*Differdange*Dudelange*Esch-sur-Alzette*Frisange*Kayl*Leudelange... |
Luxembourg Luxembourg (district) The District of Luxembourg, sometimes of Luxemburg, is one of three districts of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It contains four cantons, divided into 47... |
14.35 | 28,000 | 29 May 1906 |
 |
Ettelbruck Ettelbruck Ettelbruck is a commune with city status in central Luxembourg, with a population of approximately 7,500. As of 2005, the town of Ettelbruck itself, which lies in the east of the commune, has a population of 6,191. The town of Warken and Grentzingen are also within the commune... Ettelbréck |
Diekirch Diekirch (canton) Diekirch is a canton in Luxembourg in Diekirch District, consisting of 12 communes:*Bettendorf*Bourscheid*Diekirch*Ermsdorf*Erpeldange*Ettelbruck*Feulen*Hoscheid*Medernach*Mertzig*Reisdorf*Schieren... |
Diekirch Diekirch (district) The District of Diekirch is one of three districts of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It contains 5 cantons divided into 43 communes:#Clervaux#*Clervaux#*Consthum#*Heinerscheid#*Hosingen#*Munshausen#*Troisvierges#*Weiswampach#*Wincrange#Diekirch... |
15.18 | 7,364 | 4 August 1907 |
 |
Grevenmacher Grevenmacher Grevenmacher is a commune with city status in eastern Luxembourg, near the border with Germany. It is the capital of the canton and the district of Grevenmacher... Gréiwemaacher |
Grevenmacher Grevenmacher (canton) Grevenmacher is a canton in the east of Luxembourg, in the Grevenmacher District. The capital is also called Grevenmacher.The canton of Grevenmacher consists of the following eight communes:*Betzdorf*Biwer*Flaxweiler*Grevenmacher*Junglinster... |
Grevenmacher Grevenmacher (district) The District of Grevenmacher is one of three districts of Luxembourg. It contains 3 cantons divided into 26 communes:#Echternach#*Beaufort#*Bech#*Berdorf#*Consdorf#*Echternach#*Mompach#*Rosport#*Waldbillig#Grevenmacher#*Betzdorf#*Biwer... |
16.48 | 3,966 | 24 February 1843 |
| Luxembourg City Lëtzebuerg | Luxembourg Luxembourg (canton) Luxembourg, sometimes Luxemburg, is a canton in the south of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, in the Luxembourg District. The capital is Luxembourg City.The canton consists of the following 11 communes:* Bertrange* Contern* Hesperange* Luxembourg... |
Luxembourg Luxembourg (district) The District of Luxembourg, sometimes of Luxemburg, is one of three districts of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It contains four cantons, divided into 47... |
51.46 | 76,420 | 24 February 1843 | |
 |
Remich Remich Remich is a commune with city status in south-eastern Luxembourg with just under 3,000 inhabitants. It is the capital of the canton of Remich, which is part of the district of Grevenmacher. Remich lies on the left bank of the Moselle river, which forms part of the border between Luxembourg and... Réimech |
Remich Remich (canton) Remich is a canton in the east of Luxembourg, in the Grevenmacher District. The capital is Remich.The canton consists of the following 10 communes:*Bous*Burmerange*Dalheim*Lenningen*Mondorf-les-Bains*Remich*Schengen*Stadtbredimus*Waldbredimus... |
Grevenmacher Grevenmacher (district) The District of Grevenmacher is one of three districts of Luxembourg. It contains 3 cantons divided into 26 communes:#Echternach#*Beaufort#*Bech#*Berdorf#*Consdorf#*Echternach#*Mompach#*Rosport#*Waldbillig#Grevenmacher#*Betzdorf#*Biwer... |
5.29 | 2,986 | 24 February 1843 |
 |
Rumelange Rumelange Rumelange is a commune with city status in south-western Luxembourg, on the border with France., the town of Rumelange, which lies in the east of the commune, has a population of 4,818. It is also the site of some of the underground iron mines no longer in operation... Rëmeleng |
Esch-sur-Alzette Esch-sur-Alzette (canton) Esch-sur-Alzette is a canton in the south-west of Luxembourg, in Luxembourg District. The capital is Esch-sur-Alzette.The canton consists of the following 14 communes:*Bettembourg*Differdange*Dudelange*Esch-sur-Alzette*Frisange*Kayl*Leudelange... |
Luxembourg Luxembourg (district) The District of Luxembourg, sometimes of Luxemburg, is one of three districts of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It contains four cantons, divided into 47... |
6.83 | 4,495 | 4 August 1907 |
| Vianden Vianden Vianden is a commune with city status in the Oesling, north-eastern Luxembourg, with over 1,500 inhabitants. It is the capital of the canton of Vianden, which is part of the district of Diekirch. Vianden lies on the Our river, near the border between Luxembourg and Germany., the town of Vianden,... Veianen |
Vianden Vianden (canton) Vianden is a canton in the north of Luxembourg, in the Diekirch District. The capital is Vianden.The canton consists of the following 3 communes:*Putscheid*Tandel*ViandenThe canton's land area is currently 78.52 km²... |
Diekirch Diekirch (district) The District of Diekirch is one of three districts of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It contains 5 cantons divided into 43 communes:#Clervaux#*Clervaux#*Consthum#*Heinerscheid#*Hosingen#*Munshausen#*Troisvierges#*Weiswampach#*Wincrange#Diekirch... |
9.67 | 1,561 | 24 February 1843 | |
 |
Wiltz Wiltz Wiltz is a commune with city status in north-western Luxembourg, capital of the canton Wiltz. Wiltz is situated on the banks of the river Wiltz. It was also a battleground in the Battle of the Bulge, near the end of World War II... Wolz |
Wiltz Wiltz (canton) Wiltz is a canton in the north-west of Luxembourg. Its capital is the city of Wiltz. It covers an area of 264.55 km², and it has a population of 12,460. It consists of ten communes:* Boulaide* Esch-sur-Sûre* Eschweiler* Goesdorf* Heiderscheid... |
Diekirch Diekirch (district) The District of Diekirch is one of three districts of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It contains 5 cantons divided into 43 communes:#Clervaux#*Clervaux#*Consthum#*Heinerscheid#*Hosingen#*Munshausen#*Troisvierges#*Weiswampach#*Wincrange#Diekirch... |
19.37 | 4,587 | 24 February 1843 |