Wikipedia
Diekirch is a canton in Luxembourg in Diekirch District, consisting of 10 communes:
- Bettendorf
- Bourscheid
- Diekirch
- Erpeldange
- Ettelbruck
- Feulen
- Mertzig
- Reisdorf
- Schieren
- Vallée de l'Ernz
It covers an area of 214.93 km² and (as of July 1, 2006) has a population of 26,021. Until January 1, 2006 it also included the community of Bastendorf, which had a land area of 24.44 km². This territory was then ceded to the adjoining Canton of Vianden when Bastendorf decided to join the community of Tandel in that canton.
Category:Cantons of Luxembourg
Diekirch (; from Diet-Kirch, i.e. "people's church") is a commune with town status in north-eastern Luxembourg, capital city of the canton Diekirch and the district of Diekirch. The town is situated on the banks of the Sauer river.
The town's heraldic shield, showing a crowned lion on a castle, was granted in 1988. It is based on the town's 14th century seal and arms.
, the town of Diekirch itself, which lies in the south of the commune, has a population of 6,068.
Diekirch was the first town in Luxembourg to have a pedestrian zone, in 1977.
Diekirch is home to a brewery of national importance carrying the town's name.
Three secondary schools are located in Diekirch: Lycée classique de Diekirch, Lycée technique hôtelier Alexis Heck and Nordstadlycée.
The town is home to the national operational headquarters of the Luxembourgish Army at the Haerebierg Military Centre (located on the hill Herrenberg) and the National Museum of Military History, reflecting Diekirch's pivotal role in the famous Battle of the Bulge, called by the Germans Rundstedt-Offensive, a major battle of World War II. It was here that the river Sauer was crossed on the night of January 18, 1945, by the US 5th Infantry division.
The town is also the seat of one of the six regional headquarters of the Grand Ducal Police and of one of the two judicial districts of Luxembourg.
As far as sports events are concerned, Diekirch has gained a reputation for its annual cross country running competition — the Eurocross — which is an IAAF permit meeting and attracts world-class runners, with Gabriela Szabo and Irina Mikitenko among its past winners.