Arlon
Encyclopedia
Arlon is a Walloon municipality of Belgium
located in the province of Luxembourg
, of which it is the capital, and part of Arelerland
(Land of Arlon). Despite the Luxembourgish majority population, the city was not included in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and an assimilation
process to the French language
continued undisturbed.
The municipality
of Arlon includes the villages of Autelbas , Autelhaut, Barnich, Bonnert (Bunnert), Clairefontaine, Fouches, Frassem, Freylange, Guirsch (Giisch), Heckbous, Heinsch (Häschel), Sampont, Sesselich, Seymerich, Sterpenich, Toernich
(Täernech), Udange, Viville, Waltzing, and Weyler.
conquests of Gaul
, the territory of Arlon and a vast area to the southeast were settled by the Treveri
, a tribe of mixed Celtic and Germanic
origins. The local population adapted relatively easily to Roman culture. The number and quality of sculpted stones and monuments that have been unearthed in the area demonstrate that the vicus
of Orolaunum quickly became a vibrant commercial and administrative centre of Roman civilization. The Germanic invasions of the 3rd century destroyed most of these early advances, despite the defensive walls that had been built on the Knipchen hill to protect the vicus.
During most of the Middle Ages
, the population still used the earlier buildings such as the thermae
. In 1060, Waleran I of Limburg
, Count of Arlon, built a castle on the Knipchen hill. In the 13th century, the only feminine Cistercian abbey known to date was built in Clairefontaine.
itself, of which Arlon was dependent, became part of the Burgundian Netherlands
under Philip the Good in 1441. After Charles V
's abdication of his empire to his son Philip II of Spain
in 1556, a troubled period started for the whole region as continuous wars opposed France
, Spain
, and the Southern Netherlands
. In 1558, nearly half of the city, including its castle, was destroyed by the French
troops of Francis, Duke of Guise
. In the 17th century, Capuchin
monks built a convent on the ruins of the castle and the French strengthened the defensive walls according to Vauban
's designs. An accidental fire destroyed a large part of the city again in 1785.
ary troops opposed the Austrians
just outside of Arlon. The French emerged victorious and occupied the city. They expelled the Capuchin monks and used their convent as a hospital. After the Battle of Waterloo
, Arlon's history is entwined with that of Belgium.
Arlon was one of the first victims of the German
invasion in 1914 as 121 inhabitants were executed on August 26 on the orders of Colonel Richard Karl von Tessmar
. Its territory was again among the first to be invaded at the onset of World War II
.
During the second world war the mayor collaborated with the Germans. He was shot in 1946.
One of the largest industrial employers is the Ferrero Rocher
chocolate factory. Having the last station on the main Brussels—Luxembourg City railway line, all International express trains make a stop in Arlon.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
located in the province of Luxembourg
Luxembourg (Belgium)
Luxembourg is the southernmost province of Wallonia and of Belgium. It borders on the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, France, and the Belgian provinces of Namur and Liège. Its capital is Arlon, in the south-east of the province.It has an area of 4,443 km², making it the largest Belgian province...
, of which it is the capital, and part of Arelerland
Arelerland
The Land of Arlon is the traditionally Luxembourgish-speaking part of Belgian Lorraine, but now predominantly French-speaking. Arlon is the main city of this region....
(Land of Arlon). Despite the Luxembourgish majority population, the city was not included in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and an assimilation
Cultural assimilation
Cultural assimilation is a socio-political response to demographic multi-ethnicity that supports or promotes the assimilation of ethnic minorities into the dominant culture. The term assimilation is often used with regard to immigrants and various ethnic groups who have settled in a new land. New...
process to the French language
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
continued undisturbed.
The municipality
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
of Arlon includes the villages of Autelbas , Autelhaut, Barnich, Bonnert (Bunnert), Clairefontaine, Fouches, Frassem, Freylange, Guirsch (Giisch), Heckbous, Heinsch (Häschel), Sampont, Sesselich, Seymerich, Sterpenich, Toernich
Toernich
Toernich is part of the Belgian town of Arlon in the Walloon region in the province of Luxembourg. It formed a commune of its own until the communes merger of 1977....
(Täernech), Udange, Viville, Waltzing, and Weyler.
Roman and medieval times
Before the RomanAncient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
conquests of Gaul
Gaul
Gaul was a region of Western Europe during the Iron Age and Roman era, encompassing present day France, Luxembourg and Belgium, most of Switzerland, the western part of Northern Italy, as well as the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the left bank of the Rhine. The Gauls were the speakers of...
, the territory of Arlon and a vast area to the southeast were settled by the Treveri
Treveri
The Treveri or Treviri were a tribe of Gauls who inhabited the lower valley of the Moselle from around 150 BCE, at the latest, until their eventual absorption into the Franks...
, a tribe of mixed Celtic and Germanic
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
origins. The local population adapted relatively easily to Roman culture. The number and quality of sculpted stones and monuments that have been unearthed in the area demonstrate that the vicus
Vicus (Rome)
In ancient Rome, the vicus was a neighborhood. During the Republican era, the four regiones of the city of Rome were subdivided into vici. In the 1st century BC, Augustus reorganized the city for administrative purposes into 14 regions, comprising 265 vici. Each vicus had its own board of...
of Orolaunum quickly became a vibrant commercial and administrative centre of Roman civilization. The Germanic invasions of the 3rd century destroyed most of these early advances, despite the defensive walls that had been built on the Knipchen hill to protect the vicus.
During most of the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, the population still used the earlier buildings such as the thermae
Thermae
In ancient Rome, thermae and balnea were facilities for bathing...
. In 1060, Waleran I of Limburg
Waleran I of Limburg
Waleran I , called Udon, was the count of Arlon from AD 1052 and Limburg from 1065. He was the son of Waleran, Count of Arlon. He was also the advocate of the abbey of Sint-Truiden....
, Count of Arlon, built a castle on the Knipchen hill. In the 13th century, the only feminine Cistercian abbey known to date was built in Clairefontaine.
15th century until the French Revolution
The Duchy of LuxembourgHistory of Luxembourg
The history of Luxembourg is inherently entwined with the histories of surrounding countries, peoples, and ruling dynasties. Over time, the territory of Luxembourg has been eroded, whilst its ownership has changed repeatedly, and its political independence has grown gradually.'Although recorded...
itself, of which Arlon was dependent, became part of the Burgundian Netherlands
Burgundian Netherlands
In the history of the Low Countries, the Burgundian Netherlands refers to a number of Imperial and French fiefs ruled in personal union by the House of Valois-Burgundy and their Habsburg heirs in the period from 1384 to 1482...
under Philip the Good in 1441. After Charles V
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V was ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and, as Charles I, of the Spanish Empire from 1516 until his voluntary retirement and abdication in favor of his younger brother Ferdinand I and his son Philip II in 1556.As...
's abdication of his empire to his son Philip II of Spain
Philip II of Spain
Philip II was King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and, while married to Mary I, King of England and Ireland. He was lord of the Seventeen Provinces from 1556 until 1581, holding various titles for the individual territories such as duke or count....
in 1556, a troubled period started for the whole region as continuous wars opposed France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, and the Southern Netherlands
Southern Netherlands
Southern Netherlands were a part of the Low Countries controlled by Spain , Austria and annexed by France...
. In 1558, nearly half of the city, including its castle, was destroyed by the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
troops of Francis, Duke of Guise
Francis, Duke of Guise
Francis de Lorraine II, Prince of Joinville, Duke of Guise, Duke of Aumale , called Balafré , was a French soldier and politician.-Early life:...
. In the 17th century, Capuchin
Order of Friars Minor Capuchin
The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin is an Order of friars in the Catholic Church, among the chief offshoots of the Franciscans. The worldwide head of the Order, called the Minister General, is currently Father Mauro Jöhri.-Origins :...
monks built a convent on the ruins of the castle and the French strengthened the defensive walls according to Vauban
Vauban
Sébastien Le Prestre, Seigneur de Vauban and later Marquis de Vauban , commonly referred to as Vauban, was a Marshal of France and the foremost military engineer of his age, famed for his skill in both designing fortifications and breaking through them...
's designs. An accidental fire destroyed a large part of the city again in 1785.
Modern times
On June 9, 1793, the French RevolutionFrench Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
ary troops opposed the Austrians
Austrian Empire
The Austrian Empire was a modern era successor empire, which was centered on what is today's Austria and which officially lasted from 1804 to 1867. It was followed by the Empire of Austria-Hungary, whose proclamation was a diplomatic move that elevated Hungary's status within the Austrian Empire...
just outside of Arlon. The French emerged victorious and occupied the city. They expelled the Capuchin monks and used their convent as a hospital. After the Battle of Waterloo
Battle of Waterloo
The Battle of Waterloo was fought on Sunday 18 June 1815 near Waterloo in present-day Belgium, then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands...
, Arlon's history is entwined with that of Belgium.
Arlon was one of the first victims of the German
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
invasion in 1914 as 121 inhabitants were executed on August 26 on the orders of Colonel Richard Karl von Tessmar
Richard Karl von Tessmar
Generalmajor Richard Karl von Tessmar was a German soldier.He is notable primarily for his exploits during the First World War, during which he was commanded the German forces occupying Luxembourg. He led the forces that captured Luxembourg City on the 2 August 1914, before establishing his...
. Its territory was again among the first to be invaded at the onset 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...
.
During the second world war the mayor collaborated with the Germans. He was shot in 1946.
Arlon today
Being situated very close to the border with the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Arlon has continued to expand with new residential areas and commercial development zones, and many people cross the border everyday to work in the Grand Duchy.One of the largest industrial employers is the Ferrero Rocher
Ferrero Rocher
Ferrero Rocher is a spherical chocolate sweet made by Italian chocolatier Ferrero SpA. Introduced in 1982, the chocolates consist of a whole roasted hazelnut encased in a thin wafer shell filled with hazelnut cream and covered in milk chocolate and chopped hazelnuts. The sweets each contain 73...
chocolate factory. Having the last station on the main Brussels—Luxembourg City railway line, all International express trains make a stop in Arlon.
Sights
- Arlon is best known for holding one of the richest archæological museums in Belgium. It houses numerous examples of RomanAncient RomeAncient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
sculpture and Merovingian funerary artFunerary artFunerary art is any work of art forming, or placed in, a repository for the remains of the dead. Tomb is a general term for the repository, while grave goods are objects—other than the primary human remains—which have been placed inside...
. - A fragment of the Gallo-RomanGallo-Roman cultureThe term Gallo-Roman describes the Romanized culture of Gaul under the rule of the Roman Empire. This was characterized by the Gaulish adoption or adaptation of Roman mores and way of life in a uniquely Gaulish context...
defensive wall that was built in the 3rd century still stands in Arlon. - The Gaspar Museum is well known for its furniture, paintings, ceramics, and religious art.
- Saint Donat's church now stands on the Knipchen hill, where Waleran I of LimburgWaleran I of LimburgWaleran I , called Udon, was the count of Arlon from AD 1052 and Limburg from 1065. He was the son of Waleran, Count of Arlon. He was also the advocate of the abbey of Sint-Truiden....
once built his castle and the CapuchinOrder of Friars Minor CapuchinThe Order of Friars Minor Capuchin is an Order of friars in the Catholic Church, among the chief offshoots of the Franciscans. The worldwide head of the Order, called the Minister General, is currently Father Mauro Jöhri.-Origins :...
monks built their convent.
Folklore
- The carnivalCarnivalCarnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
of Arlon takes place at mid-LentLentIn the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer – through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial – for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and...
. It includes the traditional handing of the city keys to the carnival prince and a colourful parade composed of various folkloric groups. - The MaitrankMay wineMay wine, also known as Maitrank, Maiwein, Maibowle and Waldmeisterbowle, is the name of a German beverage that uses aromatized wine as a base . May wine is served in the spring, traditionally on the May Day holiday...
(GermanGerman languageGerman is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
for "drink of May") is the city's most popular refreshment. It is made of white wine in which a local flower, the asperulaAsperulaAsperula is a genus of flowering plants in the Rubiaceae family. It contains about 200 species and has a wide distribution area from Europe, northern Africa, temperate and subtropicale Asia to Australasia.-Species:...
odorata, has macerated. Some recipes also add cognac or substitute woodruff for the asperula. The Maitrank festivities take place in the city every fourth Sunday of May.
People born in Arlon
- Johann Kaspar Basselet von La RoséeJohann Kaspar Basselet von La RoséeJohann Kaspar Reichsgraf Basselet von La Rosée was a leading Bavarian general....
, Bavarian general (1710–1795) - Godefroid KurthGodefroid KurthGodefroid Kurth was a celebrated Belgian historian. He is known for his histories of the city of Liège in the Middle Ages and of Belgium, of his Catholic account in Les Origines de la civilisation moderne of the formation of modern Europe, and for his defence of the medieval guild system.Kurth was...
, historian (1847–1916) - Benoît LamyBenoît LamyBenoît Lamy was a Belgian motion picture writer-director.Lamy was born in Arlon, Luxembourg, Belgium and died in Braine-l'Alleud, Walloon Brabant, Belgium....
, film director (1945–2008) - Ingrid LempereurIngrid LempereurIngrid Lempereur is a former international top swimmer from Belgium. She won the bronze medal in the 200 m breaststroke race at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles at the age of 15.-References:...
, swimmer (1969)
Twin towns — Sister cities
Arlon is twinned with:- Saint-Dié-des-VosgesSaint-Dié-des-VosgesSaint-Dié-des-Vosges, commonly referred to as Saint-Dié, is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France.It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-Geography:...
since 1962: DiekirchDiekirchDiekirch 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....
: BitburgBitburgBitburg It is situated approx. 25 km north-west of Trier, and 50 km north-east of Luxembourg . One American airbase, Spangdahlem Air Base, is located nearby.-History:...
since 1965: Sulphur, LouisianaSulphur, LouisianaSulphur is a city in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 22,512 at the 2000 census. Sulphur is a suburb of Lake Charles, and is part of the Lake Charles Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
: HayangeHayangeHayange is a commune in the Moselle department in Lorraine in north-eastern France.Outlying villages include Marspich and Saint-Nicolas-en-Forêt, Konacker and Ranguevaux.-Economy:...
: Alba since 1 March 2004: Market DraytonMarket DraytonMarket Drayton is a small market town in north Shropshire, England. It is on the River Tern, between Shrewsbury and Stoke-on-Trent, and was formerly known as "Drayton in Hales" and earlier simply as "Drayton" ....