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'Arlon' (, ) is a Belgian municipality located in the Walloon province of Luxembourg, of which it is the capital.
The municipality of Arlon includes the old communes of Autelbas (Luxembourgish: ''Nidderälter''), Autelhaut, Barnich, Bonnert (''Bunnert''), Clairefontaine, Fouches, Frassem, Freylange, Guirsch (''Giisch''), Heckbous, Heinsch (''Häschel''), Sampont, Sesselich, Seymerich, Sterpenich, Toernich (''Täernech''), Udange, Viville, Waltzing, and Weyler.

Contents

History

Roman and medieval times

15th century until the French Revolution

Modern times

Sights

Folklore

People born in Arlon

Twin cities

External links

History

Roman and medieval times

Before the Roman conquests of Gaul, the territory of Arlon and a vast area to the south-east 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 earlier buildings such as the thermae were still being used by the population. In 1060, Waleran I of Limburg, Count of Arlon, built a castle on the Knipchen hill. In the 13th century, the only feminine Cistercian abbey known to date was built in Clairefontaine, and another castle was built in Autelbas.

15th century until the French Revolution

The Duchy of Luxembourg, of which Arlon was dependent, became itself 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 Francis, Duke 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.

Modern times

On June 9, 1793, the French Revolutionary troops opposed the Austrians just outside of Arlon. The French came out victorious and occupied the city. The Capuchin monks were expelled three years later, and their convent used as a hospital. After the Battle of Waterloo, Arlon’s history is folded in that of Belgium.
Arlon was one of the first victims of the German invasion in 1914 as 121 inhabitants were executed on August 26 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.

Sights

★ Arlon is best known for holding one of the richest archæological museums in Belgium. It houses numerous examples of Roman sculpture and Merovingian funerary art.

★ A fragment of the Gallo-Roman defensive wall that was built in the 3rd century can also be seen.

★ The Gaspar Museum is worth a visit for its furniture, paintings, ceramics, and religious art.

★ The Saint-Donat church now stands on the Knipchen hill, where Waleran I of Limburg once built his castle and the Capuchin monks built their convent.

Folklore

★ The carnival of Arlon takes place at mid-Lent. It includes the traditional handing of the keys of the city to the carnival prince and a colourful parade composed of various folkloric groups.

★ The ''Maitrank'' (''drink of May'') is the city’s most popular refreshment. It is made of white wine in which a local flower, the ''asperula odorata'', has macerated. Some recipes also add cognac or substitute woodruff for the ''asperula''. The ''Maitrank'' festivities take place in the city every fourth Sunday of May.

People born in Arlon

★ Johann Kaspar Basselet von La Rosée, Bavarian general (1710-1795)

★ Godefroid Kurth, historian (1847-1916)

Twin cities

★ : Saint-Dié-des-Vosges

★ : Diekirch

★ : Bitburg

★ : Sulphur, Louisiana

★ : Hayange

★ : Alba

★ : Market Drayton

External links

★ Official city web site (in French)

★ Alternative site (in French)

★ Official ''Maitrank'' web site (in French)

★ Official Saint-Martin parish website of Arlon city