Born, Luxembourg

Born (Luxembourgish: "Bur" meaning "spring" or "fountain", French: "Born-sur-Sûre", German: "Born an der Sauer") is a village on the River Sauer in the commune of Mompach, in eastern Luxembourg. It lies on the N10, 14 km south of Echternach and 8 km north of Wasserbillig. Only 5 minutes drive from the E44 motorway from Luxembourg City to Trier, it is popular with tourists and day-trippers who enjoy walking, cycling or fishing along the grassy banks of the river.

As of 2001, Born has a population of 340.

History

Around 54 BC, the Romans overcame the Treveri, a Gallic tribe who had lived in the area for several hundred years. The Romans became firmly established in nearby Trier or "Augusta Treverorum", a prosperous regional capital, but they also developed communities in the Moselle and Sauer valleys, especially at Wasserbillig ("Biliacum"), the bridge over the Sauer on the Roman road from Trier to Reims ("Civitas Remorum"), and Echternach, the bridge on the road from Arlon ("Orolaunum"), to Bitburg ("Vicus Beda"). Despite a number of attacks from the middle of the third century, the Romans maintained their influence in the area until about 450 when they were finally conquered by Germanic tribes. There is ample evidence of the Gallo-Roman civilization in the surroundings, not only the terraced orchards and vinyards but also Roman gravestones and monuments along the Sûre valley. Roman ruins have also be found at Pafebierg, not far from Born.

It seems probable that the area where Born now lies later came under the rule of the Abbey of Echternach around the 8th century although it is not specifically mentioned until 1286. [ [http://www.mompach.lu/html/born.html Commune de Mompach - Born] Retrieved 16 November 2006. ]

The parish church [ [http://webplaza.pt.lu/~bornfeb/50253695670c84601/index.html parish church ] Retrieved 17 November 2006. ] dates back to 1856 while the castle (Château de Born) was built in the early 18th century although there are remains of much older buildings on the site and references dating back to the 14th century . [ [http://www.burgeninventar.de/html/lux/GRE_big.html#32. Burgen und Schlösser im Distrikt Grevenmacher] Retrieved 20 November 2006.] The castle was originally owned by the Lords of Born consisting of members of the Hattstein, Faust d'Aschaffenbourg and de Villiers families.

The Prince Henri railway line from Echternach to Wasserbillig (via Born) was opened in 1874 and remained in service until 1963. [ [http://www.rail.lu/lignesauer.html Ligne de la Sûre] Retrieved 16 November 2006 ] The old track has now been converted into a cycle route.

Geography and climate

Born, altitude 145 m, is located between Rosport and Wasserbillig on the East bank of the River Sauer which forms the border between Luxembourg and Germany's Rhineland-Palatinate. Moersdorf is about 2 km south of Born, opposite the German village of Metzdorf. The steep hills on either side of the river reach a height of about 280 m and are used mainly for cattle grazing, orchards and forestry.

In view of the NE-SW orientation of the river at Born, the community enjoys long periods of sunshine, unlike many of the villages along the Sauer which often lie in the shade of the hills. Summer temperatures average about 18 C but often reach 30 C and more. Rainfall is moderate. There is sometimes a little snow in the winter. Occasionally the River Sauer floods its banks, with the possibility of flooding in the village itself.

Local services

Born is served by the Wasserbillig-Echternach bus route with buses every half hour. From Wasserbillig, there are trains to Luxembourg and Trier.

Born has is a large camping site beside the river as well as two hotels and restaurants. There are several large supermarkets and stores in Wasserbillig (8 km) but there are also smaller shops in Rosport (4 km) and in the German village of Langsur (6 km) on the other side of the river.

The new [http://www.mompach.lu/html/primaire.html primary school] was opened in 2004. The Centre Polyvalent is used for concerts, exhibitions and local events.

Tourism

Born is a popular riverside resort both for Luxembourgers and for foreign tourists, especially from Germany and the Netherlands. The [http://www.pch.public.lu/reseau_routier/pistes_cyclables/pc03/index.html cycle track] along the River Sauer is particularly popular as it is within easy reach of the Moselle Valley, Trier and Echternach. There are also a number of signposted walks in the area, offering breathtaking views from the heights of the surrounding hills. And at all times of the year, there is fishing along the banks of the Sauer.

During the summer months, there are several [http://www.mompach.lu/html/manifestations.html village fêtes] , grill parties and [http://www.burermusik.lu/index.html brass band] concerts in the town.

External links

* [http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&z=12&ll=49.746447,6.515923&spn=0.104489,0.319977&om=1 Google maps roadmap ]
* French: [http://www.mompach.lu/html/born.html Mompach Commune official site]

Footnotes