Clervaux

Clervaux
Clierf, Cliärref
Commune
Coat of arms of Clervaux
Coat of arms
Map of Luxembourg with Clervaux highlighted in orange, and the canton in dark red
Map of Luxembourg with Clervaux highlighted in orange, and the canton in dark red
Coordinates: 50.05°N 6.0333°E / 50.05; 6.0333
Country Luxembourg
Canton Clervaux
Area
 • Total 85.05 km2 (32.84 sq mi)
 • Rank 2nd of 102
Highest elevation
 548 m (1,798 ft)
 • Rank 3rd of 102
Lowest elevation
 276 m (906 ft)
 • Rank 77th of 102
Population
 (2023)
 • Total 6,021
 • Rank 28th of 102
 • Density 71/km2 (180/sq mi)
  • Rank 84th of 102
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
LAU 2 LU0000501
Website clervaux.lu

Clervaux (French pronunciation: [klɛʁvo]; Luxembourgish: Clierf [kliːɐ̯f] or (locally) Cliärref; German: Clerf) is a commune and town in northern Luxembourg, administrative capital of the canton of Clervaux.

The town's arms, granted in 1896, show three blackbirds on a gold ground in the chief of a red shield, as a variation of the arms of the former Lords of Clervaux.

As of 2015, the town of Clervaux, which lies in the southwest of the commune, has a population of 1,309.

History

The city was the site of heavy fighting during World War II, in the December 1944 Battle of Clervaux, part of the "Battle of the Bulge".

Population

Sights

The Family of Man, a famous exhibit of photos collected by Edward Steichen, is on permanent display in Clervaux Castle.

The castle also includes the Battle of the Bulge Museum, with an extensive collection of American, German, and Luxembourgish artifacts from World War II, and an exhibition of models of the castles and palaces of Luxembourg. A U.S. Sherman tank that participated in the battle for Clervaux and a German 88 anti-aircraft/anti-tank artillery piece are on display in front of the castle.

The Abbey of St. Maurice and St. Maur is situated on the hills above the town of Clervaux. Notable associations include Halldór Laxness, 1902–1998, the Nobel Prize-winning Icelandic writer, who converted to Roman Catholicism while staying at the abbey. A Roman Catholic mission to Scandinavia has for many years maintained a base at the abbey.

The town is also home to a parish church, built between 1910 and 1912 in the Rheinisch-Romanesque style, and to an eighteenth-century chapel.

Transportation

Clervaux railway station serves the town and the surrounding area, with trains to Luxembourg City and Liège, Belgium.

Twin towns — sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Luxembourg

Clervaux is twinned with:

Populated places

The commune consists of the following villages:

  • Clervaux Section:
    • Clervaux
    • Eselborn (Eeselbur)
    • Mecher (Mecher)
    • Reuler (Reiler)
    • Urspelt (Ischpelt)
    • Weicherdange (Wäicherdang)
    • Kaaspelterhof (Kaaspelt) (lieu-dit)
    • Kirelshof (Kirelshaff) (lieu-dit)
    • Wirtgensmühle (Wirtgensmillen) (lieu-dit)
  • Heinerscheid Section:
    • Fischbach (Fëschbech)
    • Grindhausen (Grandsen)
    • Heinerscheid (Hengescht)
    • Hupperdange (Hëpperdang)
    • Kalborn (Kaalber)
    • Lieler (Léiler)
    • Fossenhof (Fossenhaff) (lieu-dit)
    • Kaesfurt (Kéisfuert) (lieu-dit)
    • Kalborn-Moulin (Kaalber Millen) (lieu-dit)
    • Lausdorn* (Lausduer) (lieu-dit)
    • Tintesmühle (Tëntesmillen) (lieu-dit)

Note:
* - partially shared with the Commune of Wäisswampech

Gallery

  • Castle of Clervaux
    Castle of Clervaux
  • Castle of Clervaux
    Castle of Clervaux
  • Church Saints Cosmas and Damian (1910-1912)
    Church Saints Cosmas and Damian (1910-1912)