Contern

The Romans settled Luxembourg in the 1st century BC, it has been speculated whether or not the settlement of Contern was founded by them or even previously. This has not however been established despite the presence of remnants of Roman infrastructure within the boundaries of today's commune. They include a crossing over the Trudlerbaach, part of the Roman road linking Luxembourg and Dalheim, with remnants of the road passing through the farmstead of Faerschthaff.^[7] In the commune, there are also remains of an ancient Roman aqueduct, a temple and a few Roman villas. Signs of Celtic habitation are significantly less clear. The name Contern first appeared in a charter from 879 AD, although its first official listing was by Pope Honorius II in 1128. In spite of this it is almost certain Contern dates back to the Celtic Era. In the 14th century it was recorded in writing as Guntrein.^[8] Contern in the 13th century was considerably influenced by Christianity and chivalry. At this time Contern became a parish which led to the construction of its church.^[9][10]

Contern was officially incorporated as a parish in 1621. In 1684, neighbouring Oetrange also became a parish followed by Moutfort in 1707. At the time, the parish of Contern had no lieux-dits although Oetrange was home to the settlement of Kackerterhaff. Moutfort included the settlements of Medingen and Milbech as well as Moulin de Milbech and the farmstead of Pleitrange.^[11][12] By 1796 Contern was incorporated as an Arrondissement of Luxembourg District, which encapsulated several localities:

Contern remained an arrondissement until 1912. At some point in the early 19th Century, communes were introduced to Luxembourg which saw the foundation of the Commune. Precise details are unknown but the earliest census applicable to Contern with its current boundaries is from 1821 and the oldest officially archived reference to Contern as a commune dates back to 1816, which is the first occurance of it being officially listed as a commune. The oldest mention of Contern in a newspaper dates back to 1842^[13][14][15] ex By 1890 most of the former arrondissements of Contern were incorporated as lieux-dits and census subdivisions.

From 1945 onwards, Contern's municipal structure was made up of Contern, Oetrange, Moutfort and Medingen. The parish of Oetrange was absorbed into the parish of Moutfort in 1946. Shortly thereafter in 1948, the parishes of Contern and Moutfort were effectively dissolved.^[11][12]

On November 8th 2000, Contern's municipal council passed a bill approving the sale of land in the Weiergewann and Scheid cadastral districts as well as modifying the building regulations in Weiergewann and formulated the plan regarding taxation and forestry use for the 2001 fiscal budget. The budget was later rectified on November 30th and all then Contern joined the Luxembourgish Climate Alliance (Klimabündnis-Lëtzebuerg).^[17][18][19] Around this same time, Contern.lu was set up.^[20]

In November of 2023, the DuPont chemical plant located partially within Contern threatened to lay off a large portion of its staff.^[21]

In 2024, a small car park in the town centre beside the church cemetery just off of CR243 Trunk Road was converted into a small pedestrianised square. In May, it was controversially announced that the square would be named “Place de Luc Frieden” in the honour of the sitting primer minister of Luxembourg who has resided in the commune for 30 years. The mayor of Contern, Marion Zovillé-Braquet who was affiliated with Frieden’s party CSV states that the naming was by no means political meanwhile councillors of Contern affiliated with DP stated that naming a square after a sitting prime minister is a “practice common in dictatorships” and that street names should generally be a “Posthumous honour” of LSAP backed up the mayor amid the controversy having already voted in favour of the name in the council meeting.^[22]

Although no prominent archaeological sites or artifacts date back to Celtic times, much remains from the Romans including some housing ruins and remnants of an aqueduct.^[9] Additionally a mosaic of the Roman god Epona was discovered in Contern. The most prominent item from the Romans however the Gallo-Roman villa which stood on the current site of the town. Its remains can be seen to this day.^[23]

Following World War II, the Luxembourgers had strong distaste for their former German overseers. This was why almost every place in the country was renamed from its original Luxembourgish name of German origin, to that of French origin without changing too much. Contern's name would have stayed Conter if it weren't for the French pronunciation of "er" being far too strong., An "n" was therefore added. It could have been possible to have followed what places like Hesperange did, but in the end it stuck to the name Contern. In the modern era, to encourage more Luxembougish in the commune, many documents and signs use "Conter" instead of Contern.^{[citation needed]}

The Commune of Contern is located within the Canton of Luxembourg itself within Luxembourg District.^[24]

Contern is bordered by the communes of Sandweiler and Schuttrange to the north, Lenningen and Bous-Waldbredimus to the east, Dalheim to the south, Weiler-la-Tour to the southwest and Hesperange to the west. In general, the borders of Contern are not defined by any major roads of rivers but there are exceptions. Between Eitermillen and the border with Sandweiler, the Kackeshbaach marks the border between Contern and Schuttrange. Between Syren and Brichemillen, the River Syre marks the border with Weiler-La-Tour and east of the Contern-Sandweiler industrial zone, the Réimeschbaach marks the border with Hesperange.^[1][25]

Contern covers an area of 20.55 square kilometres, making it, as of 2022,^{[needs update]} the 54th largest commune in Luxembourg out of 102.^[26] It had a population of 4374, the 44th highest out of 102 communes as of 2023 giving it a population density of 210 people per square kilometre, 43rd highest in Luxembourg. The population has since risen to 4,513 inhabitants.^{[citation needed]}

Contern lies within the Guttland region of Luxembourg and covers part of both the Luxembourg Plateau and Moselle Valley sub-regions.^[27] The contrast between the two sub regions gives Contern a varying topography, from the rolling hills in the south, north and west to the sharp sandstone cliffs to the east around Medingen.

Contern is largely centred around the River Syre, which nearly perfectly bisects the commune, and to a lesser extent, its tributaries. The Syre flows north-east from Syren in the commune of Weiler-la-Tour continuing up to the border with Schuttrange halfway between Oetrange and Schrassig. Whilst flowing through the commune, it directly bisects both Moutfort and Oetrange and the lieux-dits of Bricherhaff and Brichermillen. There is one tributary of the Syre which directly hosts a settlement, the Kackeschbaach with Eitermillen. The remaining settlements are located atop hills including Contern itself.^[1]

The nearest place to survey the climate is in Luxembourg City however temperatures likely differ slightly due to the urban heat island effect present in Luxembourg City which isn't felt to the same extent in Contern. Contern has an oceanic climate (Cfb), with moderate precipitation, cold to cool winters and warm summers. It is cloudy about two-thirds of the year.

Being in the Guttland region, Contern’s geological structure consists largely of Luxembourg Sandstone with deposits of lime and clay underneath. The rock formations that now surround the River Syre date back to the late Triassic period.^[32][33]

•  
  Contern
•  
  Moutfort
•  
  Oetrange
•  
  Medingen
•  
  Milbech
•  
  Kréingeshaff
•  
  Pleitrange
•  
  Eitermillen
•  
  Bricherhaff
•  
  Brichermillen
•  
  Kackerterhaff
•  
  Faerschthaff

Contern lies exclusively within the Rhine and Moselle basins. Most of Contern’s territory flows into the Moselle through the Syre. A small portion in the northwest of the commune however flows into the Alzette and the Sauer before reaching the Moselle. The Syre itself passes though the commune and is a defining feature of the landscape. It flows southwest to north east but does not pass near the centre of the commune. Instead, it initially runs across the south before turning and running up north. The central and eastern areas of the commune are home to tributaries of the Alzette.^[34][35]

• Rhine (main branch at Hook of Holland, Netherlands)
  • Moselle (at Koblenz, Germany)
    • Sauer (at Wasserbillig, Mertert)
      • Alzette (at Ettelbruck, Ettelbruck)
        • Itzigerbaach (at Hesperange, Hesperange)
          • Réimeschbaach (at Itzig, Hesperange)
    • Syre (at Mertert, Mertert)
      • Kackeschbaach (at Oetrange)
      • Schleederbaach (at Moutfort)
      • Trudlerbaach (at Syren, Weiler-la-Tour)

The Schleederbaach, sometimes referred to as the Millebaach, is a brook which flows from the Contern-Sandweiler industrial estate to just west of Moutfort where it meets the Syre. Historically the course of the Schleederbaach was different but was changed by the construction of the industrial zone.^[36][37] Now there are many channels of water within the industrial zone which flow into the Schleederbaach, additionally there is one notable tributary of the Schleederbaach in the form of a small brook near Milbech which flows from a nearby spring out of the adjacent sandstone cliffs. Similarly the cliffs which make up the Schleederbaach valley also accumulate large amount groundwater from areas just east of Contern and west of Kackerterhaff and channel it into the brook.^[38][39]

Contern has 800 hectares of forests within its borders taking up around 37% of its land area.^[40]

As of 1 January 2023, the commune has a population of 4,374 inhabitants. Around 70% of the population are aged 15–65 and an estimated third of the commune's population consists of non-Luxembourgers, which is considerably higher than the national average. The town of Contern itself has a population of 1,876 as of 2024.^[4]

Records of the population of the commune have existed since shortly after its inception with the oldest dating back to 1821. Initially censuses and estimates were few, far between and irregular, however since 1975 statistics have been compiled annually. Contern’s population has mostly been rising steadily over the past 200 years with the exception of the second half of the 19th century when there was a prolonged period of decline. Since the 1970s the population of Contern began to rise significantly as a result of an economic boom in Luxembourg.

Since 2021, the population of the individual towns in the commune has been independently compiled, censuses taking place every decade also distinguish between localities. Population totals for each of these localities also include the general area around the locality including nearby lieu-dits.

In the 19th century much of the Census data concerning the populations of each individual locality was publicised, notably also including the Lieu-dits:

Contern is a commuter town, largely dependant on Luxembourg city for its economy. Contern however also has a major industrial district which makes up the bulk of Contern’s economic output. As a result of the industry, more people work in the commune than reside in it.^[62]

Contern consists of two quite separate industrial zones. Although officially separate, locally they are often considered as one entity, even on road signs. The area where Sandweiler-Contern railway station is located is home to a lot of commercial infrastructure such as the only fully-fledged supermarket in the commune, a trampoline park and the commune's only gas station. A few restaurants and eateries are also located there to serve the local workers. Employing over 5,000, the area is home to more than 110 companies and is quickly growing and attracting new developments.^[63][64]

Contern is well connected to the road network and links to Luxembourg City. However the only dual carriageway in the commune is the E29.^[65] There are plans in the next five to ten 5–10 years to build a new motorway exit on the Luxembourg Ring to serve Contern and Itzig.^[66]

Contern is involved with websites that provide traffic info.^[67][68]

The first road infrastructure constructed within the boundaries of the today's commune was also the oldest known instance of any infrastructure in the commune in the form of the Roman road from Luxembourg City to Dalheim, including a crossing over the Trudlerbaach. Parts of this road including the river crossing still remain in the locality of op der Syrener-Heed.^[69]

No Motorways pass directly through Contern, the nearest is the A1, currently the nearest junction to Contern is in Hamm, adjacent to the neighbouring Commune of Sandweiler. In 2016, the Governing CSV party proposed a new junction on the A1 in order to serve Contern, Itzig and the Contern-Sandweiler industrial estate as well as a new road to connect the junction to all of those places citing the alarming increase of through traffic in the commune as the main reason the construct it. The new connecting road would run directly to the Contern-Sandweiler industrial estate.^[66]

There are 2 Trunk Roads (Route National) The most prominent is the N2 which makes up a part of European Route E29.^[70][71]

Contern has several secondary roads (chemin repris):^[70][71]

Contern is served by many different bus routes as are many of the other towns within the commune.^[72][73]

The Commune of Contern is served by CFL Line 30. There are two stations inside the commune, Oetrange Railway Station and Sandweiler-Contern Station. The track also passes through Moutfort and Milbech which have no stations. Typically Oetrange is served by two regional trains an hour westboud: one to Luxembourg City westbound and one to Wittlich; eastboud one to Wasserbillig. Sandweiler-Contern also sees an hourly semi-fast service from Luxembourg to Trier/Koblenz. In addition to Line 30 there is a junction in Oetrange to CFL Line 4 which runs through Moutfort and out of the commune towards Fentange and Berchem on CFL Line 60. This line is a freight line used by trains to bypass Luxembourg city centre. It has no regular passenger service unless the line between Luxembourg and Oetrange is closed for engineering works.^[75][76]

Rail transport initially reached the commune in 1861 when what would become CFL Line 30 was built by Guillaume-Luxembourg. Both stations in the commune today were opened then.^[77][78]

The nearest airport to Contern is Luxembourg Airport, located a few miles north of the commune.^[79]

Contern is a commune which has a local government and therefore a mayor and council. Elections are held every six years alongside all 99 other Luxembourg communes.^[80] The Mayor is currently Marion Zovilé-Braquet.^[81]

Elections in Contern occur on three levels. The Municipal elections are held for the local government exclusively within Contern. However Contern also acts as an electoral ward for national legislative elections and for elections for the European Parliament.

As Contern has a population between 3,000 and 5,999 it elects a total of 11 councillors, including two aldermen and the mayor. Additionally as a result of having a population of over 3,000, municipal elections are held using proportional representation. Participation is mandatory for Luxembourg citizens and unlike in general elections, non-Luxembourg European Union citizens are permitted to vote provided they have valid residency.^[82]

The mayor is elected and is put in charge of municipal staff, administration, infrastructure, security, emergency services, communications, relations with other communes, schools and sport. In addition the mayor also heads the "le collège Echevinal" and the Municipal Council.^[81]

The Collège Echevinal consists of the mayor and his two advisors who have varied responsibilities. The first alderman handles areas including mobility, weather, and fairtrade, while the second alderman oversees the environment, finances and agriculture.^[83][84]

The Municipal Council consists of 11 elected members including the two aldermen, the mayor and eight councilors. They are the legislators of the municipality. Meetings happen roughly every three months, take place in the town hall and are public unless otherwise stated.^[85]

The municipal elections in Contern use a form of multi-candidate proportional representation, each contesting party generally puts forward 11 candidates, one for every seat available ,each voter also gets 11 votes however they needn't utilise all of them. Voters have the option to vote for a party in which case they give one vote to each candidate from that party or they can distribute their 11 votes between individual candidates as they please. They can also give any candidate up to 2 votes. The 11 seats are then distributed by party in accordance with what percentage of the popular vote they received. Then the candidates with the most votes in their respective party are assigned seats until all of the party's seats have been exhausted.

The 2023 Local Elections in Luxembourg all took place on the 11 June 2023 to elect the members of all the local councils of Luxembourg, including the 11 members of Contern Municipal Council.^[86] Following the 2017 Municipal Election, the Christian Social People's Party held the largest number of seats in the Municipal Council with 5, 2 of the 3 Aldermen were also affiliated with CSV.^[87]

Four parties ran in the election, each putting forward 11 candidates.

In the aftermath of the election, DP, LSAP and Déi Gréng formed a coalition government excluding CSV, the party with the most votes and seats. This resulted in unrest and protests against the then current electoral system.^[91]