Getting to Echternach by public transport

The Documentation Centre displays paintings, texts, maps, photos and films about the history and organization of the Hopping Procession and the eventful history of the Basilica. Devotional objects are exhibited in some showcases; a statue and a reliquiary present St. Willibrord as a popular saint. The remnants of funerary monuments from the former abbay (11th - 18th century) are to be seen in the adjoining corridors. The Hopping Procession is since 2010 an entity of the Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO.

In the Middle Ages, monks at the Echternach Abbey used to produce stunningly beautiful, elaborately decorated manuscripts that were famous all over Europe. Their story is told today in the museum that is housed in the vaulted cellars of the abbey palace, built in 1727. Perfect facsimiles of manuscripts such as the Codex Epternacensis that were produced in the scriptorium at Echternach are on display here. The Abbey Museum also gives an insight into the life and work of Saint Willibrord, who founded the Abbey of Echternach in the year 698; and his bones rest in the crypt of the basilica. The Hopping Procession that is now on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list also dates back to the time of Willibrord. The museum has audio guides in German, French, Dutch and English, which are provided free of charge to visitors. The user will only need to deposit his identity card as guarantee. Closest bus stop: Echternach, Lycée (500 m) Closest parking lot: Parking lot A Kack (500 m)

During the planning works around the former “Petite Marquise”, archaeologists from the National Institute for Archaeological Research (INRA), together with the municipality of Echternach, discovered an extraordinary archaeological site. Already in the 10th century, during the time of Count Siegfried, the legendary founder of Luxembourg, a stately stone building stood here. Historical records show that Siegfried served as the last lay abbot of the Echternach Abbey and, as the monastery’s bailiff, remained closely connected to the town. Modern archaeological methods now document the remains of these layers, the oldest of which date back to the time of Saint Willibrord – the Frisian missionary who made Echternach a spiritual centre of Europe. Over the centuries, the site underwent many transformations: after the devastating fire of 1444, a new district arose here, evolving until the 19th century. Later, the Boulangerie/Patisserie Petite Marquise became a well-known landmark that shaped the town’s character for decades. Today, the story of this place continues under the name Epternacum – a future cultural space where past and present meet, inviting visitors to experience the origins of Echternach up close.

Echternach – Dillingen – Steekaul Beaufort – Beaufort – Steekaul Beaufort – Eppeldorf – Ermsdorf – Medernach – Larochette – Champignon Nommern – Noumerleeën – Angelsberg – Fischbach – Heffingen – Héikräiz – Reuland – Graulinster – Rippeger Kopp – Schiessentümpel – Kuelscheier – Echternach Departure: Echternach Gare This tour takes you to geological highlights in the UNESCO Global Geopark Mëllerdall. Explore rocks and crevices and learn about the creation of the fantastic landscape. We recommend to select a maximum of two out of the three suggested hikes (Steekaul Beefort, Noumerleeën, Kuelscheier). You start in Echternach and drive on the national road N10 to the west, alongside the Sûre via Bollendorf-Pont to Dillingen. In Dillingen you turn left and drive up the hill towards Beaufort. After 2.3 km, you park your car on the right side on a gravel parking lot. From here take the wide gravel path (the right of the two ones which are marked with "NaturWanderPark delux") and follow it for almost 300 m. Then turn sharp right and follow the sign "Mullerthal Trail ExtraTour" to "Steekaul / Steinbruch". You will walk to Steekaul Beefort, a former sandstone quarry and then back to your car (length of the walk: 2.6 km). The tour continues to Beaufort where you can visit the medieval castle and the Renaissance castle (on request). You drive via Eppeldorf to Ermsdorf and then further south via Medernach to Larochette. Larochette has another imposing castle offering the opportunity to visit. On the way from Larochette to Nommern, you turn right after 1 km and drive to the Champignon, a rock shaped like a big mushroom. A parking lot is located directly on the road, one kilometer past Camping "Auf Kengert", on the left side. There you follow the sign "Rocher Champignon" and reach the rock after about 200 m. You drive through the village of Nommern and reach other spectacular rock formations. Park at Eurocamping Nommerlayen and follow the signs of Auto-Pédestre Nommern for a circular walk through the spectacular rocky landscape of the Noumerleeën (5.3 km long). You drive back to Nommern and then follow the signs to Angelsberg and then to Fischbach. In the "Aal Schmelz" iron ore was formerly melted. From Fischbach you continue to Heffingen. Opposite the church you follow the sign "Kapell am Héikräiz" and continue on the road "Stenkel" to the south. Outside of the village you find a nice possibility for a picnic with a view over the hilly landscape at the Héikräiz (High Cross). Go straight down to the village of Reuland, then continue via Blumenthal to Graulinster and from there towards Echternach on the E29 until you reach the rest area at Rippiger Kopp after 1.1 km. There you can enjoy the view over the hilly marl landscape in the south of the Mullerthal Region. Continue on the E29 and turn left towards before Altrier to Breidweiler / Kobenbour. When you reach the brook Black Ernz, keep right after the bridge over the river. After 300 m you leave your car on the parking lot on the right and walk to the romantic waterfall of Schiessentümpel, another geological highlight. From Mullerthal you drive towards Consdorf and make a last stop at Konsdrefer Millen before reaching Consdorf. You park your car and cross the road to hike on the Mullerthal Trail (length of the walk: 2.8 km) to explore the fascinating Kuelscheier crevice. You drive back to Echternach via Consdorf and Scheidgen.

Starting in Echternach, the route first goes through the forest with a climb to Scheidgen. Further along, several smaller villages are crossed until the town of Mullerthal is reached. This is followed by a longer, moderately ascending stretch along the Schwarze Ernz, passing the famous waterfall "Schiessentümpel." The route continues with smaller climbs and descents over Heffingen and Waldbillig to Beaufort. After a detour down to Reisdorf on the Sauer, another steep climb leads up to Beaufort again. Then it goes downhill again into the Schwarze Ernz valley. A final climb follows, past unique rock formations to Berdorf. The last kilometers lead downhill through the forest and past further rock formations back to Echternach.

St. Peter and Paul Church majestically dominates the city center of Echternach from the top of a hill. In Roman times, a fortification with towers enabled the surveillance of the river Sûre. The church and a small monastery are mentioned in a document from 698, the year Echternach was founded by the Benedictine monk Willibrord. The interior of the church is characterized by stylistic elements from different epochs, the 12 meter deep fountain is impressive. For almost 100 years, the relics of St. Willibrord were housed here in a baroque wooden coffin. This is why the famous Echternach Hopping Procession ended here up to the beginning of the 20th century. In 2008, extensive restoration works exposed vault paintings from the late Renaissance.