Diekirch facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Diekirch Dikrech  (Luxembourgish)
Commune
Flag Coat of arms
Map of Luxembourg with Diekirch highlighted in orange, and the canton in dark red
Country	Luxembourg
Canton	Diekirch
Area rank	? of 100
Highest elevation	396 m (1,299 ft)
• Rank	54th of 100
Lowest elevation	187 m (614 ft)
• Rank	20th of 100
Population  (1 January 2019)
• Total	6,988
• Rank	20th of 100
• Density rank	37th of 100
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
LAU 2	LU0000603
Website	diekirch.lu

Diekirch is a cool town in north-eastern Luxembourg. It's located right on the banks of the Sauer river. The name "Diekirch" comes from old words meaning "people's church."

The town's special shield shows a crowned lion on a castle. This design was given to Diekirch in 1988. It's based on very old symbols from the 1300s.

In 1977, Diekirch was the first town in Luxembourg to create a pedestrian zone. This means a special area where only people can walk, and cars are not allowed.

Diekirch is also famous for its brewery, which makes beer that's known all over the country.

You can find three secondary schools in Diekirch: Lycée classique de Diekirch, Lycée technique hôtelier Alexis Heck, and Nordstadlycée.

The town is home to the main offices for the Luxembourgish Army. This is at the Haerebierg Military Centre. You can also visit the National Museum of Military History here. Diekirch played a very important part in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. American soldiers crossed the Sauer river here on January 18, 1945.

Diekirch is also one of the main centers for the Grand Ducal Police and one of Luxembourg's two legal districts.

A Look Back in Time: Diekirch's History

The name Diekirch comes from a long time ago, around the late 700s. A famous ruler named Charlemagne moved some people called Saxons to this area. He wanted them to be under his control. To help them become Christians, a church was built. This church gave the settlement its name: "Diet-Kirch," which means "people's church."

In the 1300s, a king named John of Bohemia made the town stronger. He built walls with towers and a ditch around it. These defenses stayed mostly in place until the early 1800s. Then, during a time when the French occupied the area, they removed the old walls and planted trees instead.

In the 1960s, during some big digs, people found out that the St. Laurence church was built on top of an old Roman building. More discoveries in the 1990s and 2000s showed that a huge Roman villa once covered the entire area of the medieval town. This villa was left empty in the early 400s.

Sports and Fun in Diekirch

Diekirch hosts a cool event called the "International March of Diekirch." It's a walking event, usually 20 to 40 kilometers long. Both soldiers and regular people can join in. If you finish, you get a special medal! This march has been happening since 1968.

In 2020 and 2021, the march was canceled because of the Coronavirus. In 2022, it became a "virtual" event. People walked the distances in different places around the world. Many soldiers from countries like the United States joined in. In 2023, the march returned to being a live event in Diekirch.

Diekirch also has an annual cross country running competition called the Eurocross. It attracts famous runners from all over the world.

Diekirch's Donkey Mascot

The town's special animal, or mascot, is the donkey. You'll see a donkey fountain right in the middle of Diekirch. The yearly carnival parade, called a cavalcade, also celebrates the donkey!

Population Growth

Famous People from Diekirch

Paul Eyschen was a long-serving Prime Minister of Luxembourg.

• Paul Eyschen (1841–1915) was a very important politician. He was the Prime Minister of Luxembourg for 27 years!
• Alphonse Munchen (1850–1917) was an engineer and politician. He was the Mayor of Luxembourg City for many years.
• Joseph Bech (1887–1975) was another important politician and lawyer. He also served as the Prime Minister of Luxembourg for 11 years.
• Henri Losch (1931–2021) was a talented actor, writer, and teacher.
• Ali Kaes (born 1955) is a politician and mayor of the town of Tandel.
• General Gaston Reinig (born 1956) was a soldier who became the top leader of the Luxembourg Army.

Sports Stars

• Alfred Albert Joe de Re la Gardiur (1881–1941) was a professional wrestler.
• Léon Roth (born 1926) was a canoer who competed in the 1952 Summer Olympics.
• Johnny Lucas (1931–1993) was also a canoer who competed in the 1952 Summer Olympics.
• Michael Pinto (born 1993) is a Portuguese footballer who has played many games, including for the Luxembourg national team.

Twin Towns

Diekirch has special friendships with other towns around the world. These are called "twin towns" or "sister cities."

Images for kids

• 

  Diekirch city centre

• 

  The Old Church of St Lawrence was built on a Gallo Roman base

• 

  The Wirtgensschlass or Schloss Wirtgen is nowadays used as one building of the conservatory of music.

• 

  Detail of one of the donkey fountains in the city centre

• 

  Fountains in the municipal park

• 

  The Sauer river flows through Diekirch.

See also

In Spanish: Diekirch para niños