Luxembourg

Schifflange, Luxembourg

Schifflange is a small town with a population of more than 9000, situated at the very south of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. It is one of the most ancient agglomerations of the country, its origins going back to the Celtic Age and the oldest document mentioning its name dates back to the year 795. In 1287 the town received the Charter of Liberty by the Duke of Lorraine, thus becoming a “free town”.

It is not only one of the oldest towns of the country but one of those with the smallest area. Administered by the town council of 13 members being a mere 7.71 square kilometers, though population wise it ranks as 7th in the country. When talking about population, the town counts 37.1 % of foreigners coming from 56 nations.

For a long time the development of the town was very slow until it stopped definitely in 1742.

Then, after the destruction of the church by Napoleon’s soldiers, after a big fire in 1862 where 20 houses in the “low street” were completely destroyed, and after a cholera epidemic in 1866, the town started to grow step by step because of the systematic exploration of the iron ore and the construction of blast furnaces. The economic development resulted in the growth of its population due to the arrival of many workers coming from all over the country and from abroad. Finally, in 1875 a petition counting a 1000 signatures addressed to the national parliament gave Schifflange the title of “independent town”.

Unfortunately the tragedies of both World Wars provoked a stop in the town’s development.

During the Second World War the workers of the iron and steel plant started a general strike against the Germans who had invaded the country on May 10th, 1940. During this strike its organizers and other Resistance fighters lost their lives. That is the reason why Schifflange is known today as the “City of Resistance”.

With the end of the war a new economic boost started and Schifflange, thanks to her legendary industrious population, soon became a flourishing commercial and industrial center, open to everything and everyone.