Arlon

For the asteroid, see 1717 Arlon.
Arlon
Aarlen (Dutch)
Arel (German)
Municipality

Arlon centre with bell tower of St. Martin's Church

Flag
Coat of arms
Arlon

Location in Belgium

Coordinates: 49°41′N 05°49′E / 49.683°N 5.817°E / 49.683; 5.817Coordinates: 49°41′N 05°49′E / 49.683°N 5.817°E / 49.683; 5.817
Country Belgium
Community French Community
Region Wallonia
Province Luxembourg
Arrondissement Arlon
Government
 • Mayor Vincent Magnus (cdH)
 • Governing party/ies cdH, PS
Area
 • Total 118.64 km2 (45.81 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2013)[1]
 • Total 28,289
 • Density 240/km2 (620/sq mi)
Postal codes 6700, 6704, 6706
Area codes 063
Website www.arlon.be (French)

Arlon (French pronunciation: ​[aʁlɔ̃]; Luxembourgish: Arel; Dutch: Aarlen, pronounced [ˈaːrlə(n)]; German: Arel; Walloon: Årlon) is a Walloon municipality of Belgium located in and capital of the province of Luxembourg. With a population of just over 28,000, it is the smallest provincial capital in Belgium. Arlon is also the capital of its cultural region : the Arelerland (Land of Arlon in Luxemburgish).

The municipality consists of the following sub-municipalities: Arlon proper, Autelbas-Barnich, Bonnert, Guirsch, Heinsch, and Toernich. Other population centers include:

  • Autelhaut
  • Clairefontaine
  • Fouches
  • Frassem
  • Freylange
  • Heckbous
  • Rosenberg
  • Sampont
  • Schoppach
  • Sesselich
  • Seymerich
  • Stehnen
  • Sterpenich
  • Stockem
  • Udange
  • Viville
  • Waltzing
  • Weyler
  • Wolberg

History

(Margraviate) County of Arlon
State of the Holy Roman Empire
←
950–1221 →
Capital Arel (Arlon)
Government Principality
Historical era Middle Ages
 •  Established 950
 • Raised to margraviate ca 1167
 • United with the County of Luxemburg 1214
 •  Annexed to the Duchy of Luxembourg 1221

Roman and medieval times

Before the Roman 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 women's Cistercian abbey known to date was built in Clairefontaine.

15th century until the French Revolution

The Duchy of Luxembourg 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 Duke François 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.

St Donat's church, Arlon

Modern times

On 9 June 1793 the French Revolutionary troops opposed the Austrians just outside 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 26 August, 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.

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 chocolate factory. All International express trains make a stop in Arlon, as it is the last station on the main Brussels—Luxembourg City railway line.

Sights

The Jewish cemetery

Local customs

Politics

List of mayors :

People born in Arlon

International relations

Twin towns — sister cities

Arlon is twinned with:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Population per municipality on 1 January 2013 (XLS; 607.5 KB)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arlon.
 Habay Attert Beckerich (LU-D)
Étalle Hobscheid (LU-L)
Steinfort (LU-L)
   Arlon  
Saint-Léger Messancy Garnich (LU-L)
Käerjeng (LU-L)
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