Belval, once the heart of Luxembourg's steel industry, has transformed dramatically over the past few decades. Today, it is still possible to experience this part of Luxembourgish history first-hand.
For decades, the landscape of Belval has been defined by its dominating blast furnaces, the beating heart of this historic district. In the early 20th century, Belval emerged as a vital hub of Luxembourg’s new steel industry, which played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s economic foundation. "This is essentially where Luxembourg's wealth was forged," says the guide Jeannot Dahm, who has been leading tours in Belval for the past two years. "Iron ore was smelted here," he adds, pointing to the site's industrial roots.
To produce steel back then, a significant amount of space was required. On the 120-hectare site, facilities included an agglomeration plant, a mill, blast furnaces, a steelworks, and a rolling mill. However, in the 1990s, a significant shift occurred as the industry moved away from using iron ore and instead focused exclusively on scrap metal.
As Dahm leads his group through the transformed industrial site, he vividly recalls a time when the area was bustling with activity. He noted that just 30 years ago, this place was teeming with life." The steel industry not only fueled the local economy but also drove population growth in southern Luxembourg." Initially 3,000 workers were employed, but over time, this number grew to 7,000.
Jeannot is not only adept at retelling the stories of the district, but expertly bridges the gap between past and future. "When we look over there, we can still see the old steelmill. That’s going to be torn down, and a new electric furnace will be installed. That’s the future of Esch-Belval," says the guide from the visitor platform of the blast furnace. The hall of the rolling mill is still operational and dates back to 1912. It continues to produce sheet piling, with Belval responsible for 30% of the world’s output. "Every third sheet pile, also called 'Spundwand' in German, that is driven into the ground anywhere in the world comes from Belval," Dahm explains.
While Belval has undergone significant changes, particularly in the last decade, it remains deeply connected to its industrial heritage. The site is now home to over 7,000 students and many different architects have left their mark on the university. One of Dahm’s favourite buildings is the library, designed by architect François Valentiny. It has very distinctive windows that echo the worn industrial hall windows.
Dahm shares a fun detail with his tour group: if you look closely at the triangular windows pointing downward, you can make out the face of a man with a twirled mustache. "But it’s not a self-portrait of Valentiny, otherwise, the windows would have been bigger," he jokes. It’s likely just a coincidence.
Today, over 7,000 people live in Belval, and 15,000 work here. This site, where the three pillars of Luxembourg's wealth - industry, finance, and research - are united, is set to continue growing for many years to come.
Watch the full report in Luxembourgish.
