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Europe Luxembourg Luxembourg The Country Abbey of Echternach

Overview

Abbey of Echternach

The guide was updated: 2024-03-24

Founded in the 7th century by St Willibrord, the patron saint of Luxembourg, the Abbey of Echternach contains a fascinating scriptorium — once the most important in Medieval Europe — in its cellar, with manuscripts dating as far back as the 11th century. Part of the abbey complex, the Basilica of Saint Willibrord contains a crypt with the saint's holy remains. A dancing procession that draws visitors from all over the world (Saint Willibrord Pageant) is held in the town annually on Whit Tuesday.

Useful Information

Address: Echternach, Luxembourg

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

Moselle Valley

Moselle Valley

The Moselle Valley wine region spans France, Luxembourg, and Germany, with wineries closest to Luxembourg City located within less than a half-hour's drive from there. The scenic river valley offers abundant wine-tasting opportunities for Riesling and Elbling aficionados; tastings can be arranged at most local wineries, but contacting in advance to check for availability is recommended. If in doubt, try Caves du Sud in Remerschen, Caves St Martin or Caves Desom Saint-Remy in Remich, or Domaine Mathes and Domaine Alice Hartmann in Wormeldange. The region is also excellent hiking grounds, with hiking trails and cycling paths, with boat tours running along the Moselle.

Fond-de-Gras

Fond-de-Gras

To learn more about Luxembourg's past as a major iron ore mining centre, visit this historic location and take a ride on the steam train that once transported ore from the Fond-de-Gras mines to the nearby town of Petange. Enjoy the scenic ride and pay a visit to the underground mining museum.

Mullerthal

Mullerthal

Luxembourg's 'Little Switzerland' is defined by splendid landscapes and unusual rock formations, which can be explored on foot via the Mullerthal Hiking Trail, spanning a total of 112 kilometres. The regional capital is Echternach, the oldest city in Luxembourg, which is worth a visit for its historic Benedictine abbey, Roman Villa remains, and fantastic local produce.

Vianden Castle

Vianden Castle

The town of Vianden on the German border contains one of Luxembourg's most attractive castles. Set atop a scenic hill, this Romanesque château is an excellent day trip from Luxembourg City (roughly a 30-minute drive), one that grants ample insight into Medieval life in the area.

Clervaux Castle

Clervaux Castle

Rebuilt entirely after being destroyed during WWII, Château de Clervaux is among the Duchy's most notable attractions. It contains a fascinating UNESCO-listed photography exhibition, Edward Steichen's 'Family of Man', which takes its origins at MoMA (Museum of Modern Art in New York) and has now found a permanent home at Clervaux. The two other on-site museums, one displaying scale models of Luxembourg's castles, and another dedicated to the WWII Battle of the Ardennes (which resulted in the original castle's annihilation), are also worth exploring.

Beaufort Castles

Beaufort Castles

Both castles of Beaufort are worth a visit. The first, demolished during the Battle of the Ardennes of WWII, is now in ruins, the second — a Renaissance château— can be visited on a pre-booked guided tour during high season. Tasting of a locally made fruit liquor is included in the price of admission.

Wiltz Castle

Wiltz Castle

The Renaissance Château de Wiltz is no longer its original 13th-century incarnation, but a beautifully reconstructed building that contains a museum dedicated to the Battle of the Ardennes, as well as an unlikely Beer & Tanney Museum (guided tours on request), with a functioning microbrewery and an impressive collection of bottles.

Abbey of Echternach

Abbey of Echternach

Founded in the 7th century by St Willibrord, the patron saint of Luxembourg, the Abbey of Echternach contains a fascinating scriptorium — once the most important in Medieval Europe — in its cellar, with manuscripts dating as far back as the 11th century. Part of the abbey complex, the Basilica of Saint Willibrord contains a crypt with the saint's holy remains. A dancing procession that draws visitors from all over the world (Saint Willibrord Pageant) is held in the town annually on Whit Tuesday.

Valentiny Foundation

Valentiny Foundation

Celebrated Luxembourgish architect François Valentiny inaugurated this peculiar crisp-white building in Remerschen in late 2016 as a space to showcase his own and partner Hubert Hermann's artistic creations (over 3000 permanent exhibits). The permanent collection is regularly complemented by exhibitions featuring works by other artists.

Biodiversum Nature Reserve

Biodiversum Nature Reserve

The Biodiversum Nature Centre, designed by acclaimed Luxembourgish architect Francois Valentiny, is an interactive starting point for a 2.5-kilometre nature circuit trail guiding visitors through the diverse flora and fauna of the region, with several bird-watching spots along the way.

Parc Merveilleux

Parc Merveilleux

Aimed primarily at younger visitors, the park will still be a delight for the whole family. There are plenty of playgrounds and attractions for the little ones, but also an impressive number of animal residents originating from 5 different continents. Among those you can encounter on a trip to the park are pink flamingos, penguins, monkeys and even crocodiles.

Esch-sur-Sûre Castle

Esch-sur-Sûre Castle

Another one of Luxembourg's historic castles, the now decrepit one in Esch-sur-Sûre was originally built in the Romanesque style as early as the 10th century, with later Gothic additions two centuries later. Inhabited by commoners for a time, it is now but a relic of Medieval Europe open to the public.

Blast Furnace Belval

Blast Furnace Belval

For a close encounter with Luxembourg's industrial past, make time for a visit to this blast furnace once used for steel production. Furnace A can be explored both independently or as part of a guided tour; those who make it all the way to the top will be rewarded with sweeping views of the surrounding areas.

Esch-sur-Alzette Architecture

Esch-sur-Alzette Architecture

Dubbed the architectural jewel of Luxembourg, the town of Esch-sur-Alzette boasts an incredibly diverse architectural landscape featuring buildings in Art Nouveau, Art Deco, French Neo-Gothic, Modernist and Post-modernist styles. It's an open-air museum of European architectural efforts with guided tours on offer.

Trier

Trier

Hop across the border for an excursion to the oldest German town of Trier, which contains some beautiful examples of well-preserved Roman architecture, including the UNESCO-listed city gate of Porta Nigra (Latin for 'black gate'), remains of Roman baths and an amphitheatre. Located in the Moselle Valley, the city is an essential stop to include in a wine route through the area.

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