Travel Guide Echternach

The name of the town is mentioned in the oldest documents of the 7th and 8th centuries as Aecclesie Aefternacensi then Epternacum, before becoming Epternacus (in 1023), Esternay (in 1240), and Eychternach (in 1401). One can think that it is the name of a person, probably of Celtic origin, Epternus, which will be finally recognized, with regard to the "villa Epternacum", rural property or villa of said Epternus, with the suffix -acum. In Echternach, the aerial view of the current market place shows its structure, which is the result of the crossing of two major Roman roads. Epternus would have built his large villa in the first century AD at a strategic traffic point at the bottom of the Sûre valley. A wide valley, protected at the back by a swamp and very close to quarries. Thoull, which you will probably hear about, has no significance in this choice.The site of the mound of the former parish church of Saints Peter and Paul contains the remains of a castellum, a Roman fortification from the 3rd and 4th century AD with a wall, guard towers, a well and a building for soldiers with a small therme. It was from the 7th century that a first small monastery was used by twelve peregrinating monks. The monastic movement was brought to Europe by St. Athanasius of Alexandria, exiled to Trier in the 4th century. In 698, the monk Willibrord received from the abbess Irmina of Oeren his share of the possessions in the villa Epternacum, a convent, two chapels and a hospice, which is the oldest of its kind north of the Alps. From then on, Echternach, marked by the charisma of Saint Willibrord, became a very important religious center in the region where Willibrord fought against paganism. During the following centuries, the scriptorium of Echternach became a high place of influence for book illumination. From 841 to 971, the monks became secular canons. At the beginning of the 11th century, the abbey of Echternach was one of the richest in Europe. Today, Echternach is one of the most beautiful cities in the country, peaceful and full of history and modernity. There are numerous events, especially musical and folkloric, throughout the year. With its rich hotel park, its lake and especially its innumerable hiking trails, it is a delight for a whole range of tourists. Those who have a vehicle will not hesitate to explore the surroundings, especially by going to the other side of the Sûre river, where magnificent views of the city can be discovered, such as the one offered from the Liberius Kapelle (chapel), signposted from the German side. Note that only 27 kilometers separate Echternach from the city of Trier in Germany