Wiltz is a town in the north of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. At the end of August 1942, the town’s inhabitants started a general strike: a demonstration of passive resistance to the occupation of Nazi Germany. This event, which spread to the rest of the country, still marks the history of Luxembourg and remains an example of national pride today. A monument representing a lighthouse was erected to commemorate the strikers killed by German soldiers.
Wiltz was awarded the title of Martyr City after the end of the Second World War. Additionally, the Battle of the Bulge, which took place nearby, also claimed many victims between December 1944 and January 1945.
It was in the forests of the Schumanns Eck that the brutalist fighting of this battle took place from December 19, 1944, to January 21, 1945. Because of the proximity of the fighting, the inhabitants of Wiltz took refuge in the cellars. The battle destroyed or damaged 80% of the houses and caused the death of 50 people. Finally, the American troops liberated the city on January 21, 1945.
The Museum of the Battle of the Bulge, located in the Castle of Wiltz, is mainly dedicated to the terrifying period from December 16, 1944, to January 21, 1945, the day of the final liberation of Wiltz, and is worth a visit.
The following two cultural trails are ideal for a hike. Here you can learn about the history and culture of Wiltz and discover its sights.
This 3 km long walk includes 21 places to visit, all located in the upper town. Here you can learn more about the honorary title of Martyr City that the city has received. The trail begins at an altitude of 385 m. For exhibition enthusiasts, head for the Prabbeli Socio-Cultural Center. The highest point of the path sits at 450m. A staircase in front of house number 23 on the road to Bastogne allows you to go down to the Prabbeli. We recommend that visitors with strollers or wheelchairs continue for another 200m before entering the rue de la Montagne. Next, head to the Wiltz Garden to continue your immersion in art and beauty. You can then admire the more than 300-year-old baroque high altar at Notre Dame parish church.
We continue this cultural path to the Castle of Wiltz, having made a detour to admire the Strike Monument.
This 4.5 km long path leads between the upper town (13 sights) and the lower town (12 places). The lowest point at 310m is near the Niederwiltz Bridge, and the highest point (100m) is located at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima “Op Baessent”;
You will discover the Rodange-Reenert-Kulturwee, a European sculptural ensemble, the variety of decorated keystones of the old choir (1510) of the decanal church, the last windmill in Luxembourg, the geological way of the cross, and the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima.
On this path, you will still see the Strike Monument and the Castle of Wiltz.
