Vielsalm facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vielsalm Li Viye Såm  (Walloon)
Municipality
Vielsalm, reflected in the lake
Coat of arms
Vielsalm Location in Belgium
Country	Belgium
Community	French Community
Region	Wallonia
Province	Luxembourg
Arrondissement	Bastogne
Area
• Total	39.76 km2 (15.35 sq mi)
Population  (2018-01-01)Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1575: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
• Total	Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1,575: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
Postal codes	6690, 6692, 6698
Area codes	080
Website	vielsalm.be

Vielsalm is a charming town located in the Wallonia region of Belgium. It's part of the province of Luxembourg and belongs to the Arrondissement of Bastogne. This area is known as the original home of the House of Salm, a powerful family from history.

As of January 1, 2018, Vielsalm was home to 7,821 people. The town covers an area of about 139.76 square kilometers. This means there are about 56 people living in each square kilometer.

What's in a Name? The Meaning of Vielsalm

The name Vielsalm comes from the River Salm, which flows through the area. The region is also called the Val de Salm. The word "Salm" likely comes from an old Celtic word, salwa, which means black or blurred.

So, Vielsalm literally means "Old Salm." This is because, a long time ago, the local lord moved his castle. The new castle became the center of a new town, and the old one kept the name "Old Salm."

Some people have a different idea about the name. They think "Salm" comes from the German word for salmon. This idea is even shown in the old family symbols (called arms) of the House of Salm and the town itself, which feature salmon.

Exploring Vielsalm's Geography

Vielsalm is nestled in the beautiful Ardennes mountain range. The highest point in the town is the Baraque de Fraiture, which stands at 652 meters high. It's actually the highest peak in the Benelux region (Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)!

The town is surrounded by thick forests and green farmlands. Right in the center of Vielsalm, you'll find a large, peaceful lake.

Towns and Villages in Vielsalm

The larger area of Vielsalm includes several smaller districts. These are Bihain, Grand-Halleux, Petit-Thier, and Vielsalm itself. There are also many other small villages and communities like Commanster, Fraiture, Farnières, and Salmchâteau.

Getting Around Vielsalm

Vielsalm is located conveniently between two major highways. The E25 (also known as N30) connects Liège to Bastogne. The E42 (N62) is near St. Vith and leads to Bitburg, just across the border in Germany.

A Look Back: Vielsalm's History

The Vielsalm we know today was formed by joining several older towns and parts of others. These included the former areas of Vielsalm, Grand Halleux, Petit Thier, and Bihain.

Ancient Times and Castles

People have lived in this area for a very long time. There's proof of settlements from the Stone Age, like old stone tools. There are also signs of ancient Celtic settlements and even gold mining from long ago.

In the Middle Ages, there was a castle near the church in Vielsalm. You can still see parts of a 14th-century castle near Salmchâteau. It has two towers and a narrow entrance.

Vielsalm in World War II

During World War II, Vielsalm played a small but important role. The 75th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army used the town as its command center for a few days in January 1945. They were there as they fought back against the German army.

Vielsalm's Economy: What They Make

Vielsalm has a history of mining, especially for slate. The town is also famous for a special local sharpening stone called coticule.

The Special Coticule Stone

The coticule stone from Vielsalm is very unique. It's known for its extremely fine sharpening abilities. This is because it contains tiny crystals of a mineral called spessartine, which is a type of garnet.

These stones are made of a special rock called metamorphic microcrystalline schist. About 35 to 40% of this rock is made up of tiny spessartine crystals, which are only about 5 to 20 micrometers wide. Quarries for these stones have been working since the early 1500s. They were highly valued for sharpening razors because they lasted a long time.

Today, these quarries are almost empty. However, Vielsalm still has an industrial area in Burtonville, where many small and medium-sized businesses operate.

Vielsalm's Culture: Fun and Festivals

Vielsalm is known for its annual Fête de la Myrtille, which means Feast of the Blueberries. This festival started on July 21, 1951.

The Blueberry Festival

The local shop owners wanted to attract more visitors to stop in their town. So, they started this festival where local people dressed in traditional costumes. They would invite visitors to stop and offer them a small dish of local fruits, including delicious blueberries. The festival parade also features local folklore characters, like Les Macralles, who are witches from Walloon stories.

Places to See in Vielsalm

St. Gengoul's church in Vielsalm

Vielsalm has several interesting sights to visit:

• Parish Church Saint-Gengoux
• Chapel of Our Lady of Luxembourg
• The "Petit Croix" (Small Cross)
• Maison Lambert (Lambert House)
• Ancient Maison Ruth (Old Ruth House)
• Villa des Effats
• The Town Hall

How Vielsalm is Governed

Vielsalm is run by a two-part system.

The College of Aldermen

The daily tasks of running the town, like putting council decisions into action, are handled by the College of Aldermen. This group is led by the mayor and acts as the town's executive body. The aldermen are chosen by the council for six-year terms. Their number changes based on how many people live in the town.

The Town Council

The town council is directly elected by the people. Its job is to decide on things like taxes, how money is spent, education, and keeping buildings, roads, and green areas in good shape. The number of people on the council also depends on the town's population.

Learning in Vielsalm: Education

Vielsalm has seven schools that offer education from pre-school all the way up to secondary school. These include:

• École communale de Goronne
• École communale primaire d'Hébronval
• École communale de Petit-Thier
• École communale primaire de Regné
• École communale maternelle de Regné
• École communale de Rencheux
• École communale de Salmchâteau
• École communale primaire de Ville-du-Bois

There are also three other schools for nursery and primary education, and one secondary school, that are considered "free" schools.

Famous People from Vielsalm

• Nicholas, Count of Salm (1459-1530), a German military leader.
• Olivier Werner (born April 16, 1985), a football player for RAEC Mons.

Sister City: Twinning with Bruyères

Vielsalm has a special connection with another town. It is "twinned" with:

• Bruyères, a town in the Vosges region of Lorraine, France.

See also

In Spanish: Vielsalm para niños