Diekirch on the Sauer: History and Nature

Diekirch lies directly on the Sauer, the Moselle’s largest left-bank tributary. Its centre is home to the first pedestrian zone of its kind in Luxembourg. The river and urban landscape offer different ways to explore the area on your trip: you can get to know Diekirch through its riverside scenery as well as its history and culture.

Churches, Monuments and Museums

The old St. Lawrence Church was built in the Middle Ages on a Roman place of worship. Diekirch’s St. Lawrence Church was completed in 1868 and declared a national monument in 2017. Both of these historic landmarks make religious history a theme to explore during a visit, without requiring a specific route through the town.

The Deiwelselter near Diekirch also connects history with a particular place: it was built on a dolmen that, according to studies, is about 4,000 years old. The Deiwelselter is not accessible by car; several hiking trails lead there, including the Éislek Pad Diekirch, local trail DK 3 and the northern section of the Sentier Adrien Ries. As route conditions can change, check them before setting out on your hike.

The Museum of the History of Diekirch has been open since 2011 and displays an ancient Roman mosaic. Workshops for children are offered alongside its exhibitions. As visitor programmes can change, it is advisable to check the latest workshop information before your trip.

The Battle of the Bulge is depicted in life-size dioramas at the National Museum of Military History. The exhibition also includes fifty vehicles from both sides. Multilingual guided tours for groups are available on request, so contact the museum in advance to arrange this visit.

The US Memorial commemorates American military units that were stationed in Diekirch and the surrounding area, fought there or passed through the region from September 1944 to February 1945. Another museum explores a different subject: the National Conservatory of Historic Vehicles, which presents the history of vehicles.

Nature and Hiking

The nature discovery park covers 11.2 hectares and extends the “In Bedigen” town park, to which it is connected. Twelve interactive stations explore topics such as nature, water, flowering meadows and birdsong. Scottish Highland cattle live in the park. The stations and animals offer different points of interest, while the connection to the town park shows how the nature park fits into Diekirch’s green spaces.

For a longer hike, the Éislek Path Diekirch offers a specific route: the trail is 14.51 kilometres long, rated moderate, and starts and ends at the dirt track at the end of In Bedigen street in Diekirch. It is marked in both directions and offers views of Nordstad. Route measurements and conditions can change; check the latest conditions before setting out.

Another hiking option is the Marche Internationale de Diekirch, a two-day event with routes from 12 to 80 kilometres long. Compared with the clearly defined 14.51-kilometre hike, it covers a much wider range of distances. If you are planning to take part, check the latest dates and routes.

Events and Getting Around

The Cavalcade is a carnival parade held on the Sunday before Shrove Monday and attracts about 20,000 visitors; the number may vary. As the event dates are relevant to travel planning, check the latest information before arranging your stay around it.

Diekirch’s Tourist Information Centre is located in the heart of the pedestrian zone. If you plan to visit for orientation, check the latest visitor information before your trip. Diekirch railway station can be reached directly from Luxembourg City and is connected to numerous bus routes. Timetables and connections can change, so it is worth checking the latest departures.

The CFL railway walking trail 11 connects the railway stations in Diekirch and Ettelbrück; you can return to your starting point by train. So, alongside hikes that start and finish at the same place, you can also combine a hike with train travel. Check the latest train and route information before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Syr, Diekirch, Wiltz, Clervaux, Vianden, Redange, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg.

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