Grevenmacher

Valley of the Moselle

The valley of the Moselle, which owes its richness to its proximity to water and its fertile ground, was colonised a long time before the Roman era.

Grevenmacher

At the site of the present day town of Grevenmacher, a first primitive community was formed behind the St. Croix chapel at the place called "Buerggruef" not far from the Roman road, which led to Luxembourg.

Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages, the counts of Luxembourg searched for a safe place of defence in the region with a goal of protecting their territory against the powerful Archbishops of Trier. They found it in Grevenmacher, low in te valley, at the crossroads of the principal routes leading from Luxembourg to Trier and from Trier to Thionville. It was here that was built, probably on the order of Count Henri V, a powerful fortress that guarded this strategic location for centuries and which was not dismantled until 1688.

Henri the Blonde

It was in 1252 that the same Count called "Henri the Blonde", son of the influential Countess Ermesinde, granted the Charter of Freedom to the town of Grevenmacher.

Modern commercial centre

Today, the small town is the capital of a canton, a modern commercial centre, and the focal point for Luxembourg viticulture. Although firmly committed to the future, the "Métropole de la Moselle" never the less remembers with pride its past, rich in historical events, and celebrates in 2002 the 750th anniversary of its Charter of Freedom with a multitude of cultural events and spectacular activities.
Issue: Luxembourg, 14 September 2002

More information

Stamps Luxembourg
Postage Stamps 2002
Circus in Luxembourg
Festival of Wiltz
Fun Sports
Court of Justice
Roman mosaic