Portrait

of the canton

Canton Diekirch is located in the north of Luxembourg. The canton has two official towns: Diekirch and Ettelbruck. With a population of approximately 36,240 inhabitants (2025) and an area of 204 km², Canton Diekirch is one of the most populous and dynamic cantons in the north.

View of the city of Ettelbruck

Landscape

Canton Diekirch is characterized by slate and predominantly sandstone formations, with hills, large plateaus, and valleys. The rivers Sûre, Alzette, Wark, and White Ernz flow through the landscape. The canton is a mix of urban centers and a rural landscape with abundant nature. Parts of the canton lie within the Our Nature Park and the Mullerthal UNESCO Global Geopark.

The river Sûre near Erpeldange, Municipality of Erpeldange

Welscheid, Municipality of Bourscheid

History

The history of Canton Diekirch dates back over 4,000 years. The "Däiwelselter" (Devil’s Altar), restored at the end of the 19th century, is a curious stone structure that various sources trace back to prehistoric times around 2000 BC.

The Laurentius Church in the city of Diekirch is built on Roman foundations. The medieval significance of the canton is exemplified by Bourscheid Castle. The city of Diekirch itself was a fortified city with city walls from the 14th century until the beginning of the 19th century.

In 1795, Luxembourg was declared the "Département des Forêts" under Napoleon Bonaparte, and the city of Diekirch became its own canton. As a result, the city of Diekirch remains an important administrative center with state administrations and courts to this day.

Laurentius Church, City of Diekirch

Bourscheid Castle, Municipality of Bourscheid

In the 19th century, the city of Diekirch developed a strong industrial identity, notably through the beer-brewing expertise of the Brasserie de Luxembourg, famous for Diekirch and Mousel beers. The city of Diekirch is also the location of the first Mercedes-Benz concession outside of Germany. In the restored workshops of the current automobile museum, car bodies were once assembled by hand.

In 1848, the second major city of Canton Diekirch, Ettelbruck, was at the center of the Luxembourg Revolution. On April 28, 1848, the Parliament met in Ettelbruck’s school to create a new, more liberal constitution. Fundamental human rights were later incorporated in the new constitution. Strengthened press freedom subsequently allowed a newspaper industry to develop in the city of Diekirch.

During World War II, the city of Ettelbruck was the headquarters of General Patton during the Battle of the Bulge, and the canton remains closely linked to Luxembourg’s military history, with Diekirch serving as a garrison city for the Luxembourg Army.

Patton-Monument, City of Ettelbruck

Statue of the "Botterfra" by Wil Lofy, City of Ettelbruck

Culture

Canton Diekirch is strongly connected to national identity and rural traditions. This is symbolized, among other things, by the "Botterfra" (Butter Woman), a statue by Will Lofy in the city of Ettelbruck dedicated to agriculture. The Agricultural Fair, held annually in the city, is a nationally significant festival for all friends of agriculture.

Statue of  donkey, City of Diekirch

Attractions

In addition to Bourscheid Castle and the castles of Erpeldange, Bettendorf, Canton Diekirch is home to many pittoresk towns such as Schlindermanderscheid and Welscheid. A whole range of cycling and hiking trails allow visitors to explore the natural and cultural treasures of the canton.

Unique museums such as the Automobile, Military, and General Patton Memorial Museums make the canton an important cultural and historical hub in northern Luxembourg.

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Schlindermanderscheid, Municipality of Bourscheid

Erpeldange castle, Municipality of Erpeldange