Koerich
Encyclopedia
Koerich is a commune
and village in western Luxembourg
. It is part of the canton of Capellen
, which is part of the district of Luxembourg
.
, the commune of Koerich has a population of 2,075. The other small communities in the commune are Goeblange
, Goetzingen
and Windhof
. With its onion-towered church standing above the ruins of the medieval castle, Koerich has a particularly attractive rural setting although it is only 15 km west of Luxembourg City.
to the west. It is at the junction of the CR 109 to Goeblange
and Capellen
and the CR 110 to Windhof
and Dippach
. The centre of the village is 295 m above sea level while the residential developments to the north and south rise to a height of 320 m. The streets in the village are therefore very hilly. The surrounding countryside is a mixture of forests and open fields with mixed farming.
inhabited the area between the 1st and 4th centuries. To the south at Windhof
the commune borders on the Kiem or Roman road
from Trier
to Reims
and to the north-west, in the Miecher forest near Goeblange
, impressive remains of a Roman farming community
have been found. Two large villas
have been excavated and the foundations partially rebuilt. There are other buildings and fortifications on the site which are now being uncovered.
According to the commune's website, the first documentary reference to Koerich was in 979 but it was not until the 12th century that its two castles were built: the Fockeschlass of which all traces have disappeared though it is shown on the first cadastral map in 1771; and the Grevenschlass whose ruins still dominate the centre of the village.
, was built by Wirich I, Lord of Koerich and Seneschal
of Luxembourg at the end of the 12th and beginning of the 13th century in late Romanesque style. It was expanded in 1304 by Godefroid of Koerich. The watchtower, now 11 m tall, was certainly much higher when it was built. Surrounded by a moat
, the castle originally had a fortified entrance with a portcullis
.
From 1380, Gilles of Autel and Koerich converted the stronghold into a more comfortable residence by building two 12-m towers at either end of the south wall. The south-western tower which still stands, houses a chapel on the ground floor.
In 1580, the new owner Jacques de Raville made further changes, demolishing part of the property and adding two Renaissance
wings. The stately fireplace on the first floor and large rectangular windows testify to the castle's palatial splendor at the time. The south wing was again altered in 1728, this time with baroque
additions.
After the death of the Ravilles in the second half of the 18th century, the castle started to fall into ruin owing to lack of maintenance. In 1950, Pierre Flammang, the last private owner, carried out some essential structural repairs before the castle finally came into the hands of the State. Today major repairs are in progress.
, its patron saint. In 1610, the existing church was pulled down and in its place, a new structure was built in Renaissance style. Various additions in Renaissance and baroque
were made over the next hundred years; a tower, various lateral chapels in the choir, an impressive high altar, furnishings in the nave and, in 1727 a baroque tower. A huge bell was added in 1778. Finally, the tower was crowned with its distinctive onion-shaped spire in 1791. Apart from a new organ in 1969, there have be no further major additions. The church was fully restored in the early 1990s.
Fortunately for its residents, the village of Koerich has not attracted new businesses. By contrast, Windhof
, 2 km to the south has become a major new centre of business activity.
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...
and village in 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...
. It is part of the canton of Capellen
Capellen (canton)
Capellen is a canton in the south-west of Luxembourg, in the Luxembourg District. The capital is Capellen .The canton consists of the following 11 communes:*Bascharage*Clemency*Dippach*Garnich*Hobscheid*Kehlen*Koerich*Kopstal*Mamer...
, which is part of the district of 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...
.
, the commune of Koerich has a population of 2,075. The other small communities in the commune are Goeblange
Goeblange
Goeblange is a village in the commune of Koerich, in southern Luxembourg about 13 km west of Luxembourg City. , the village has a population of 425.-Location:...
, Goetzingen
Goetzingen
Goetzingen is a village in the commune of Koerich, in western Luxembourg. , the town has a population of 333.Once an agricultural community, Goetzingen is now almost entirely residential. Owing to its proximity to Capellen and the The A6 motorway or European route E25 to Luxembourg City and...
and Windhof
Windhof
Windhof is a village in the south of the commune of Koerich in south-western Luxembourg. It lies on the N6 road from Luxembourg City to Arlon in Belgium...
. With its onion-towered church standing above the ruins of the medieval castle, Koerich has a particularly attractive rural setting although it is only 15 km west of Luxembourg City.
Location
The village lies in the valley of the Goeblange stream which flows down to the River EischEisch
The Eisch is a river flowing through Belgium and Luxembourg, joining the Alzette on its left in Mersch. It flows through the towns of Eischen, Hobscheid, Septfontaines, and Marienthal....
to the west. It is at the junction of the CR 109 to Goeblange
Goeblange
Goeblange is a village in the commune of Koerich, in southern Luxembourg about 13 km west of Luxembourg City. , the village has a population of 425.-Location:...
and Capellen
Capellen
Capellen is a town in the commune of Mamer, in south-western Luxembourg, 12 km west of Luxembourg City. , the town has a population of 1,336...
and the CR 110 to Windhof
Windhof
Windhof is a village in the south of the commune of Koerich in south-western Luxembourg. It lies on the N6 road from Luxembourg City to Arlon in Belgium...
and Dippach
Dippach
Dippach is a commune and small town in south-western Luxembourg. It is part of the canton of Capellen, which is part of the district of Luxembourg. The commune's administrative centre is Schouweiler. The River Mess, a tributary of the Alzette, rises here....
. The centre of the village is 295 m above sea level while the residential developments to the north and south rise to a height of 320 m. The streets in the village are therefore very hilly. The surrounding countryside is a mixture of forests and open fields with mixed farming.
History
The commune has a history extending back some 2,000 years. There is strong evidence that the RomansGallo-Roman culture
The 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...
inhabited the area between the 1st and 4th centuries. To the south at Windhof
Windhof
Windhof is a village in the south of the commune of Koerich in south-western Luxembourg. It lies on the N6 road from Luxembourg City to Arlon in Belgium...
the commune borders on the Kiem or Roman road
Roman road
The Roman roads were a vital part of the development of the Roman state, from about 500 BC through the expansion during the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. Roman roads enabled the Romans to move armies and trade goods and to communicate. The Roman road system spanned more than 400,000 km...
from Trier
Trier
Trier, historically called in English Treves is a city in Germany on the banks of the Moselle. It is the oldest city in Germany, founded in or before 16 BC....
to Reims
Reims
Reims , a city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, lies east-northeast of Paris. Founded by the Gauls, it became a major city during the period of the Roman Empire....
and to the north-west, in the Miecher forest near Goeblange
Goeblange
Goeblange is a village in the commune of Koerich, in southern Luxembourg about 13 km west of Luxembourg City. , the village has a population of 425.-Location:...
, impressive remains of a Roman farming community
Roman agriculture
Agriculture in ancient Rome was not only a necessity, but was idealized among the social elite as a way of life. Cicero considered farming the best of all Roman occupations...
have been found. Two large villas
Roman villa
A Roman villa is a villa that was built or lived in during the Roman republic and the Roman Empire. A villa was originally a Roman country house built for the upper class...
have been excavated and the foundations partially rebuilt. There are other buildings and fortifications on the site which are now being uncovered.
According to the commune's website, the first documentary reference to Koerich was in 979 but it was not until the 12th century that its two castles were built: the Fockeschlass of which all traces have disappeared though it is shown on the first cadastral map in 1771; and the Grevenschlass whose ruins still dominate the centre of the village.
The castle
The Grevenschlass, now known as Koerich CastleKoerich Castle
Koerich Castle is a ruin located in the village of Koerich in central Luxembourg. With a history dating back to the 12th century, it is one of the castles in the so-called Valley of the Seven Castles.-Location:...
, was built by Wirich I, Lord of Koerich and Seneschal
Seneschal
A seneschal was an officer in the houses of important nobles in the Middle Ages. In the French administrative system of the Middle Ages, the sénéchal was also a royal officer in charge of justice and control of the administration in southern provinces, equivalent to the northern French bailli...
of Luxembourg at the end of the 12th and beginning of the 13th century in late Romanesque style. It was expanded in 1304 by Godefroid of Koerich. The watchtower, now 11 m tall, was certainly much higher when it was built. Surrounded by a moat
Moat
A moat is a deep, broad ditch, either dry or filled with water, that surrounds a castle, other building or town, historically to provide it with a preliminary line of defence. In some places moats evolved into more extensive water defences, including natural or artificial lakes, dams and sluices...
, the castle originally had a fortified entrance with a portcullis
Portcullis
A portcullis is a latticed grille made of wood, metal, fibreglass or a combination of the three. Portcullises fortified the entrances to many medieval castles, acting as a last line of defence during time of attack or siege...
.
From 1380, Gilles of Autel and Koerich converted the stronghold into a more comfortable residence by building two 12-m towers at either end of the south wall. The south-western tower which still stands, houses a chapel on the ground floor.
In 1580, the new owner Jacques de Raville made further changes, demolishing part of the property and adding two Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
wings. The stately fireplace on the first floor and large rectangular windows testify to the castle's palatial splendor at the time. The south wing was again altered in 1728, this time with baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
additions.
After the death of the Ravilles in the second half of the 18th century, the castle started to fall into ruin owing to lack of maintenance. In 1950, Pierre Flammang, the last private owner, carried out some essential structural repairs before the castle finally came into the hands of the State. Today major repairs are in progress.
The church
There appears to have been a church in Koerich as long ago as the 12th century when there were references to Saint RemigiusSaint Remigius
Saint Remigius, Remy or Remi, , was Bishop of Reims and Apostle of the Franks, . On 24 December 496 he baptised Clovis I, King of the Franks...
, its patron saint. In 1610, the existing church was pulled down and in its place, a new structure was built in Renaissance style. Various additions in Renaissance and baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
were made over the next hundred years; a tower, various lateral chapels in the choir, an impressive high altar, furnishings in the nave and, in 1727 a baroque tower. A huge bell was added in 1778. Finally, the tower was crowned with its distinctive onion-shaped spire in 1791. Apart from a new organ in 1969, there have be no further major additions. The church was fully restored in the early 1990s.
Koerich today
Although Koerich still has a distinctly rural atmosphere, it has over the past 30 years become increasingly popular as a residential area. Many new properties, both detached houses and apartment buildings, have been constructed in and around the village. New shops and cafés have also opened but the nearest supermarket is in Capellen, some 5 km away.Fortunately for its residents, the village of Koerich has not attracted new businesses. By contrast, Windhof
Windhof
Windhof is a village in the south of the commune of Koerich in south-western Luxembourg. It lies on the N6 road from Luxembourg City to Arlon in Belgium...
, 2 km to the south has become a major new centre of business activity.