Wiltz, Lann

The base of the tower may have been built as a Roman watchtower around the year 300. It seems to have stood alone as a tower at first, and only later became the choir of the first church.The present old part of the church dates from 1510. The roof of the church tower was also built in the same year. In the basement of the tower was the burial chamber of the castle family. The Niederwiltz tower clock was already working 300 years ago. The two side altars, which were built as guild altars in 1720 and 1722, and the old sermon seat are remarkable. The burial chamber of the castle family was first opened in 1844. Two coffins and the bones of four dead people were found in the 12 x 8 x 5.5 foot vault.The tomb was opened a second time in 1859 and after everything had been recorded, it was closed again. When the church was rebuilt in 1937.1938, all the bones found in the former cemetery were poured into this tomb, which was thus largely filled. The nobility was now united with the people. In 1968, all the bones were moved to the new cemetery and the old church, which had been badly damaged in the Battle of the Bulge and rebuilt in 1946, was renovated. Inside, you can admire some tombstones of the nobles of Wiltz.

In the fire brigade museum in Wiltz you can not only admire old fire engines but also learn a lot about the equipment and the daily work of the fire brigade. At the beginning of 2018, 4 fire brigade veterans started work on a small fire brigade museum on their own initiative. Here you will find many objects that play a major role in the daily work of the fire brigade. Let yourself be surprised how the fire brigade used to work.

The local hiking trails are marked with the abbreviations of the municipality where they start. The higher the number contained in the marking sign, the longer the circular hiking trail. See for yourself the variety of local hiking trails and the different special features in Éislek.

**For centuries, the town of Wiltz was synonymous with one thing: leather. From its humble beginnings, Wiltz blossomed into an internationally renowned leatherworking hub. Skilled tanners transformed hides into supple materials that found their way across continents. This is a story of craftsmanship, economic might, and a community that dared to defy tyranny.** **The Roots of an Industry** Wiltz's leather legacy stretches back to the 16th century. Its location likely played a key role, with abundant oak forests providing essential tanning bark. Tanners relied on the bark's natural tannins – acidic compounds that transform animal hides into durable leather. Clean rivers offered the perfect water source for the labour-intensive tanning process. As the industry grew, so did the town's reputation for quality. **Life as a Tanner** Tanning was hard, physical work. From soaking hides to the final treatments, it required both strength and expertise. This trade shaped the town's character. Generations of families relied on tanneries for their livelihoods, creating a tight-knit community bound by a shared craft. **World-Renowned Leather** By the late 19th century, Wiltz leather was in high demand. Tanneries like Lambert and Ideal produced a vast array of products: sturdy sole leather, fine upper leather, straps, and more. Exports reached markets across Europe and as far as South America. Wiltz wasn't just crafting leather goods; it was supplying the world. **Challenges and Change** Early 20th-century shifts brought uncertainty. Economic downturns and changing trade agreements threatened stability. This hardship set the stage for what was to come, revealing tensions beneath the surface of Wiltz's prosperous industry. **The 1942 Strike** When Nazi Germany imposed forced military conscription on Luxembourg, it violated the country's neutrality and ignited a firestorm of resistance. Workers at the Ideal tannery in Wiltz were the first to act, initiating a defiant strike on August 31st, 1942. News spread rapidly through the town and beyond, sparking a wave of strikes and protests across Luxembourg. Though met with brutal repression – including summary executions, deportations, and forced labour – the Wiltz strike became a symbol of national defiance against the occupiers. The consequences of the strike were severe for both Wiltz and the whole of Luxembourg. It demonstrated the Nazi regime's ruthlessness but also galvanized further resistance. The strike is a pivotal moment in Luxembourg's history. **Decline and Legacy** Post-war, Wiltz's leather industry faced new obstacles. Changing technologies and global competition took their toll. The Lambert tannery closed in 1953, and Ideal in 1961. However, the memory of the strike lives on as a testament to Luxembourg's unyielding spirit. **Wiltz Today** Though the large tanneries are gone, their legacy lingers. Visitors can find remnants of this once-thriving industry: office buildings, the Ideal porter's lodge, and the Tannery Museum at Wiltz Castle. Memorials honour the strike – a reminder that the leatherworkers of Wiltz were not only artisans, but heroes who stood for their community and their nation.