Wiltz
Encyclopedia
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
. A local airfield was used by both sides of the conflict, depending on the location of the Front.
, the town of Wiltz, which lies in the south of the commune, has a population of 4,816. Other towns within the commune include Weidingen
.
which belonged to the former Counts of Wiltz. This castle, which is situated on 600 acres (2.4 km²) of lawns and gardens, contains hundreds of rooms. It was completed in 1727, and the final Count died in 1793. It served as a private girls school from 1851 until 1950, and became a retirement home after that. Plans are in place to make it into a museum. The industrialisation of Wiltz was advanced in the late 19th and early 20th century by the leather industry, namely by IDÉAL Tannerie de Wiltz S.A. belonging to the Adler & Oppenheimer trust.
During World War II, Wiltz was at the center of intensive battles between Allied and German forces in 1944. Previously, in 1942, a general strike had been initiated in Wiltz, that spread throughout the country, and remains one of the proudest moments of Luxembourg national history. These events took their toll on the Wiltz population, and Wiltz was named Martyr Town after the war. A monument representing a lighthouse was erected to commemorate the victims of the repression following the 1942 General Strike. The relief on the monument is by Luxembourg's best-known modern sculptor Lucien Wercollier
.
There is also an international soccer training pitch. In the heart of Wiltz there is plenty to see with a second world war tank parked in the main plaza. One of the most popular nights out is the summer rave held 10 km in the wilderness. A local farm has been transformed into a pub and rave club, this is a favourite night out for scout units (male and female).
movement. There are many scout campsites
and buildings surrounding the town. The International Scouting One Penny Monument, dedicated to Robert Baden-Powell, is located in Wiltz.
Nearby Wiltz, on a hill overlooking the town, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima
is the site of an annual pilgrimage on Ascension Day. In particular it attracts many of the Portuguese people
who form a sizable proportion of the population of Luxembourg.
The Festival of Wiltz, a music and performing arts festival, takes place every summer.
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...
with city status in north-western Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
, capital of the canton 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...
. Wiltz is situated on the banks of the river Wiltz. It was also a battleground in the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
, near the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. A local airfield was used by both sides of the conflict, depending on the location of the Front.
, the town of Wiltz, which lies in the south of the commune, has a population of 4,816. Other towns within the commune include Weidingen
Weidingen
Weidingen is a village in the commune of Wiltz, in north-western Luxembourg. , the village has a population of 130....
.
History
One of the main features of the town is Wiltz CastleWiltz Castle
Wiltz Castle , located in Wiltz in the north of Luxembourg, dates back to 1573. It is now known above all for hosting an annual music festival.-History:...
which belonged to the former Counts of Wiltz. This castle, which is situated on 600 acres (2.4 km²) of lawns and gardens, contains hundreds of rooms. It was completed in 1727, and the final Count died in 1793. It served as a private girls school from 1851 until 1950, and became a retirement home after that. Plans are in place to make it into a museum. The industrialisation of Wiltz was advanced in the late 19th and early 20th century by the leather industry, namely by IDÉAL Tannerie de Wiltz S.A. belonging to the Adler & Oppenheimer trust.
During World War II, Wiltz was at the center of intensive battles between Allied and German forces in 1944. Previously, in 1942, a general strike had been initiated in Wiltz, that spread throughout the country, and remains one of the proudest moments of Luxembourg national history. These events took their toll on the Wiltz population, and Wiltz was named Martyr Town after the war. A monument representing a lighthouse was erected to commemorate the victims of the repression following the 1942 General Strike. The relief on the monument is by Luxembourg's best-known modern sculptor Lucien Wercollier
Lucien Wercollier
Lucien Wercollier was a sculptor from Luxembourg.While he worked primarily in bronze and marble, some of his work is sculpted in wood, alabaster, stone and onyx. His public monuments in bronze and marble are of particular importance...
.
Town Centre
Wiltz has a quiet town centre. There is an outdoor musical hall with bands and classical musical shows held typically every fortnight. Looking out from the hill on the music hall one will see the largest waterpark in the locality, located around 20 km away. A local multi-carriage tourist "road-train" takes visitors around the village and its surroundings on the hour.There is also an international soccer training pitch. In the heart of Wiltz there is plenty to see with a second world war tank parked in the main plaza. One of the most popular nights out is the summer rave held 10 km in the wilderness. A local farm has been transformed into a pub and rave club, this is a favourite night out for scout units (male and female).
Attractions
Wiltz is a major centre for the international scoutingScouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
movement. There are many scout campsites
Wiltz International Scout Centre
The Wiltz International Scout Centre is situated in Wiltz, in northwestern Luxembourg. During the camping season, it hosts 80,000 Scouts a year from all over the world...
and buildings surrounding the town. The International Scouting One Penny Monument, dedicated to Robert Baden-Powell, is located in Wiltz.
Nearby Wiltz, on a hill overlooking the town, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima
Our Lady of Fatima
Our Lady of Fátima is a famous title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary as she appeared in apparitions reported by three shepherd children at Fátima in Portugal. These occurred on the 13th day of six consecutive months in 1917, starting on May 13...
is the site of an annual pilgrimage on Ascension Day. In particular it attracts many of the Portuguese people
Portuguese people
The Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
who form a sizable proportion of the population of Luxembourg.
The Festival of Wiltz, a music and performing arts festival, takes place every summer.