Echternach, Echternach, Luxembourg — Western Europe
Ancienne Abbaye Saint-Willibrord
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Ehemalige Abtei Sankt Willibrord
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Former Abbey of St. Willibrord
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 21, 2026
1. Ancienne Abbaye / Ehemalige Abtei / Former Abbey Marker
Site occupé par l'abbaye bénédictine de 698 à 1797
1 Basilique Saint-Willibrord (Monument classé) Construite à l'emplacement du sanctuaire élevé par saint Willibrord (*658 +739)
Crypte carolingienne
Eglise romane achevée en 1031, transformée en style gothique vers 1250, profanée en 1798, restaurée et rendue au culte en 1868, gravement endommagée à la fin de la Deuxième Guerre mondiale, reconstruite de 1947 à 1952
2 Palais abbatial, aile des prélats
Réalisé à partir de 1727 selon les plans de l'architecte bénédictin Léopold Durand
3 Cour d'honneur
4 Bâtiments de service
5 Jardin des prélats et Orangerie
L'aspect actuel de l'ensemble remonte aux travaux de reconstruction effectués après la Deuxième Guerre mondiale. La Basilique sert d'église paroissiate, les bâtiments, abbatiaux abritent un lycée, un pensionnat, le Musée de l'Abbaye (6) et le bureau de tourisme (7).
Benediktinerabtei von 698 bis 1797
1 Basilika Sankt Willibrord (Geschütztes Denkmal)
Errichtet über den Resten des vom heiligen Willibrord (*658 +739)
this page online
Karolingische Krypta
Romanische Kirche 1031 fertiggestellt, umgebaut im gotischen Stil um 1250, profaniert 1798 restauriert und neu geweiht 1868, schwer beschädigt am Ende des Zweiten Weltkrieges, wiederaufgebaut von 1947 bis 1952
2 Abteibalast, Prälatenflügel
Ab 1727 nach den Planen des Benediktinerarchitekten Léopold Durand errichtet
3 Ehrenhot
4 Wirtschaftsgebaude
5 Pralatengarten und Orangerie
Das heutige Aussehen der Anlage geht zu einem grossen Teil auf die nach den Zweiten Weltkrieg ausgeführten Wiederaufbauarbeiten zurück. Die Basilika dient als Pfarrkirche. In den Abteigebäuden befinden sich ein Gymnasium, ein Pensionat, das Abteimuseum(6) und das Fremdenverkehrsamt (7).
Former Abbey of Saint Willibrord
Benedictine abbey from 698 to 1797
1 Basilica of Saint Willibrord (Protected Monument)
Built over the remains of the sanctuary founded by Saint Willibrord (658–739)
Carolingian crypt
Romanesque church completed in 1031, rebuilt in the Gothic style around 1250; secularized in 1798, restored and reconsecrated in 1868; severely damaged at the end of the
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 21, 2026
2. Ancienne Abbaye / Ehemalige Abtei / Former Abbey Marker
2 Abbey Palace, Prelate’s Wing
Constructed from 1727 onwards, based on designs by the Benedictine architect Léopold Durand
3 Courtyard of Honor
4 Service Buildings
5 Prelate’s Garden and Orangery
The current appearance of the complex is largely due to reconstruction work carried out after the Second World War. The basilica serves as a parish church. The abbey buildings house a secondary school (gymnasium), a boarding school, the Abbey Museum (6), and the tourist office (7).
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1797.
Location. 49° 48.823′ N, 6° 25.281′ E. Marker is in Echternach, Iechternach (Echternach). It is on Parvis de la Basilique. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Parvis de la Basilique 1, Echternach, Iechternach 6439, Luxembourg. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Guttland and in the Mullerthal. Globally, it is in Europe, the European Union, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe,
Photographed by J.M. Bellwald, Echternach, circa 1905
3. Bird’s eye view of the abbey
The marker site is on the right of the picture, just a little below and to the left of the basilica.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fontaine Saint-Willibrord / Sankt Willibrordus-Brunnen / Saint Willibrord Fountain (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Ancien palais de justice / Ehemaliges Gerichtsgebäude / Former courthouse (about 120 meters away); Hospice St Georges (about 120 meters away); Victor Hugo (about 120 meters away); Herbert Kerngut (about 120 meters away); Berthold Kahn (about 120 meters away); First Electric Lighting (about 150 meters away); Mur d’enceinte / Stadtmauer / City Walls (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Echternach.
Also see . . . Abbey of Echternach (Wikipedia). Overview:
The Abbey of Echternach is a Benedictine monastery in the town of Echternach, in eastern Luxembourg. The abbey was founded in the 7th century by St Willibrord, the patron saint of Luxembourg. For three hundred years, it benefited from the patronage of a succession of rulers, and was the most powerful institution in Luxembourg.(Submitted on November 5, 2026.)
The abbey is currently a popular tourist attraction mostly on account of an annual dancing procession that is held every Whit Tuesday. Tens of thousands of tourists, day-trippers, pilgrims, and clergy visit Echternach to witness or participate in the traditional ceremony.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 5, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
