Walferdange

Infobox Luxembourg commune
name = Walferdange
luxname = Walfer


arms = Coat of arms walferdange luxbrg.png LAU2 = 11010
canton = Luxembourg
district = Luxembourg

Walferdange (Luxembourgish: "Walfer", German: "Walferdingen") is a commune and small town in central Luxembourg. It is located north of Luxembourg City.

As of 2001, the town of Walferdange, which lies in the centre of the commune, has a population of 728. Other towns within the commune include Helmsange and Bereldange.

The commune of Walferdange was formed on 1 January 1851, when it was detached from the commune of Steinsel. The law forming Walferdange was passed on 25 November 1850. [fr icon/de icon cite web | url=http://www.legilux.public.lu/leg/a/archives/1850/1081112/1081112.pdf#page=1 | title=Mémorial A, 1850, No. 108 | accessdate=2006-07-18 | format=PDF | publisher=Service central de législation ]

History

Although the commune first came into existence in 1851, there is evidence of prehistoric settlement as well as remains of a very large Roman villa. The Raschpëtzer Qanat, an underground aqueduct near Helmsange was built in the 1st century AD during the Roman occupation. It is said to be the longest qanat north of the Alps. [ [http://www.romanaqueducts.info/aquasite/walferdange/index.html Roman aqueducts: Walferdange] . Retrieved 2 December 2007.] Walferdange church was built between 1845 and 1852; the main features of its classical facade are two large statues of Père Kolbe and Thérèse de Lisieux, added at a later date. Before official unification of the commune, and even before this church was built, it was religion that pulled the villages of Heisdorf, Helmsange, Bereldange, and Walferdange together.

Recognition of Walferdange as an important town came in 1850, when Prince Henry, brother of Grand Duke William III, chose Walferdange as his seat of residence.

Walferdange Today

Sights include the Roman villa and the underground aqueduct, the Walferdinger Palace, and Walferdange Castle, which was assigned to Grand Duke Adolphe according to the constitution, near the state residence. As an engaged winemaker, he enthusiastically served his guests wine from his own production. The palace was later vacated by the Grand Ducal family. The residential palace now houses the Faculty of Languages and Literature, Humanities, Art and Behavioral Sciences of the University of Luxembourg.

Transport in Walferdange

Walferdange is connected to the outside world by means of Walferdange railway station, national highway N7, and several buslines.

The commune also has its own mini-bus service known as "Walfy".

Twinning

* Schmitshausen, Germany
* Longuyon, France
* Limana, Italy

Footnotes

References

*

External links

* [http://www.walfer.lu Website of Walferdange Commune]