Luxembourg before Luxembourg

Believe it or not, there was once a time before Luxembourg. Thank God for Siegfried.

Roman Luxembourg

The earliest recorded mention of the lands that now comprise the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg comes from Julius Caesar in his Commentaries on the Gallic War. This area was originally inhabited by the Celtic tribe known as the Treveri, who established a significant settlement at Titelberg, near present-day Differdange in southwestern Luxembourg.

Following Caesar’s conquest of the Gauls between 54–52 BC, the region was incorporated into the Roman province of Gallia Belgica, with Trier as its administrative center. Roman rule persisted until the early 5th century when the area was overtaken by the Franks, a Germanic tribe.

The Dark Ages

Under Clovis I, often regarded as the first King of France, the Franks established the Merovingian dynasty, which ruled over a vast territory extending from the Pyrenees to the Rhine from the mid-5th century until 751. During this period, the region's inhabitants converted to Christianity, and around 700, an abbey was founded at Echternach, in what is now eastern Luxembourg.

Willibrord, who founded the Abbey of Echternach, is the patron saint of Luxembourg.

The abbey was founded by Willibrord, a monk from northern England who later became the patron saint of Luxembourg. The abbey's significance grew rapidly, and in 710, the Frankish leader Charles Martel, known for his victory over a Muslim army at the Battle of Tours in 732, had his son baptized there.

This son, Pepin the Short, would go on to become the first King of the Carolingian dynasty in 751. Pepin’s son, Charlemagne, was crowned Emperor of the Romans in 800.

Following a civil war among Charlemagne’s grandsons in the 840s, the area now known as Luxembourg became part of the Kingdom of Middle Francia, later renamed Lotharingia. By 959, Lotharingia had fragmented from a kingdom into a divided duchy, encompassing much of the present-day Benelux region.

Siegfried, founder of Luxembourg

Myths about the first lord of Luxembourg, Siegfried, persist to this day, including tales of his supposed dealings with the Devil and encounters with mermaids. The historical details of Siegfried’s life remain elusive.

Siegfried was likely the son of Wigerich, a count with extensive lands in Lotharingia, and Cunigunde, a descendant of Charlemagne. After Wigerich's death, Cunigunde married Ricwin, Count of Verdun, who had infamously executed his first wife for adultery – an unusual choice for a stepfather.

Siegfried’s family was influential: his brothers included Alberon, Bishop of Metz, and Frederick, Duke of Upper Lotharingia. Siegfried himself is believed to have been born in the 920s. By the 950s, he owned several properties in the region and sought to expand his holdings by constructing a formidable castle.

He first tried to acquire a site near Bodeux in present-day Belgium but was refused by an uncooperative abbot. Undeterred, he then turned his attention to an old Roman watchtower overlooking the Alzette River, which belonged to the Abbey of St. Maximin in Trier.

The historic Bock, where Siegfried built his castle.

The fortification, situated on the natural cliffs known as the Bock, was called Lucilinburhuc – now better known as Luxembourg. Siegfried acquired the land in exchange for territories he owned in Feulen, near Ettelbruck. With permission from Otto I, the Holy Roman Emperor, he built a castle on the site, which quickly attracted peasants and artisans to settle in the Alzette Valley below.

Thus, Luxembourg was established. So the next time you take advantage of the free tram service (or find yourself stuck in a traffic jam), you can thank – or perhaps blame – Siegfried for your circumstances.

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