Diekirch
Diekirch (French pronunciation: [dikiʁʃ]; German pronunciation: [ˈdiːkɪʁç]; Luxembourgish: Dikrech [ˈdikʀəɕ] ⓘ or (locally) Dikrich [ˈdikʀiɕ]; from Diet-Kirch, i.e. "people's church") is a commune with town status in north-eastern Luxembourg, in the canton of Diekirch and, until its abolition in 2015, the district of Diekirch. The town is situated on the banks of the Sauer river.
Diekirch
Dikrech, Dikrich | |
|---|---|
Commune | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
Map of Luxembourg with Diekirch highlighted in orange, and the canton in dark red | |
| Coordinates: 49.8681°N 6.1567°E | |
| Country | Luxembourg |
| Canton | Diekirch |
| Area | |
| • Total | 12.42 km2 (4.80 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 87th of 100 |
| Highest elevation | 396 m (1,299 ft) |
| • Rank | 54th of 100 |
| Lowest elevation | 187 m (614 ft) |
| • Rank | 20th of 100 |
| Population (2023) | |
| • Total | 7,295 |
| • Rank | 21st of 100 |
| • Density | 590/km2 (1,500/sq mi) |
| • Rank | 15th of 100 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| LAU 2 | LU0000603 |
| Website | diekirch.lu |
The town's heraldic shield, showing a crowned lion on a castle, was granted in 1988. It is based on the town's 14th-century seal and arms.
In 1977, Diekirch became the first town in Luxembourg to have a pedestrian zone.
Diekirch is home to a brewery of national importance carrying the town's name.
Three secondary schools are located in Diekirch: Lycée classique de Diekirch, Lycée technique hôtelier Alexis Heck and Nordstadlycée.
The town is home to the national operational headquarters of the Luxembourgish Army at the Haerebierg Military Centre (located on the hill Herrenberg) and the National Museum of Military History, reflecting Diekirch's pivotal role in the famous Battle of the Bulge, called by the Germans Rundstedt-Offensive, a major battle of World War II. It was here that the river Sauer was crossed on the night of January 18, 1945, by the US 5th Infantry division.
The town is also the seat of one of the six regional headquarters of the Grand Ducal Police and one of Luxembourg's two judicial districts.
As far as sports events are concerned, Diekirch has gained a reputation for its annual cross country running competition — the Eurocross — which is an IAAF permit meeting and attracts world-class runners, with Gabriela Szabo and Irina Mikitenko among its past winners.