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Before theRoman conquests ofGaul, the territory of Arlon and a vast area to the southeast were settled by theTreveri, aCeltic tribe. The local population adapted relatively easily to Roman culture. The number and quality of sculpted stones and monuments that have been unearthed in the area demonstrate that thevicus ofOrolaunum quickly became a commercial and administrative centre of Roman civilization. The Germanic invasions of the 3rd century destroyed most of these early advances, despite the defensive walls that had been built on the Knipchen hill to protect thevicus.
During most of theMiddle Ages, the population still used the earlier buildings such as thethermae. In 1060,Waleran I of Limburg, Count ofArlon, built a castle on the Knipchen hill in the centre of the town.
A dynasty of counts of Arlon began with Waleran I, Duke of Limburg. On the death of Duke Waleran III in 1226, Arlon passed to his son from the second marriage, Henry V the Fair, Count of Luxembourg, and became part of the county of Luxembourg. Thus, in the Tournament of Chauvency, his son Henry the Lion bore the title of Marquis of Arlon.
In the 17th century,Capuchin friars built a convent on the ruins of the castle and the French strengthened the defensive walls according toVauban's designs. An accidental fire destroyed a large part of the city again in 1785.
On 9 June 1793 theFrench Revolutionary troops opposed theAustrians just outside Arlon. The French emerged victorious and took over the city from Austrian rule. They expelled the Capuchin friars and used their convent as a hospital.
In June 1815, after the defeat ofNapoleon in theBattle of Waterloo, Arlon went back to government of the Grand Duchy. By theTreaty of London in 1839, the Grand Duchy became fully sovereign and in turn geographically larger western part of the duchy, i.e. theprovince de Luxembourg including Arlon city was given to newly created Kingdom of Belgium.
Arlon was one of the first victims of theGerman invasion in 1914 as 121 inhabitants were executed on 26 August, on the orders of ColonelRichard Karl von Tessmar.
Its territory was again among the first to be invaded at the onset ofWorld War II. Allies moved into Belgium on 10 May 1940 and Arlon was defended by French troops, but they were not able to stop the German invasion.
Being situated very close to the border with theGrand Duchy of Luxembourg, Arlon has continued to expand with new residential areas and commercial development zones, and many people cross the border everyday to work in the Grand Duchy. All international express trains make a stop in Arlon, as it is the last station on the main Brussels—Luxembourg City railway line.[2]
Arlon is best known for holding one of the richest archeological museums in Belgium. It houses numerous examples ofRoman sculpture andMerovingianfunerary art.
A fragment of theGallo-Roman defensive wall that was built in the 3rd century still stands in Arlon.
Thecarnival of Arlon takes place at mid-Lent. It includes the traditional handing of the city keys to the carnival prince and a colourful parade composed of various folk dance groups.
TheMaitrank (German for "drink of May") is the city's most popular refreshment. It is made of white wine in which a local flower, theAsperula odorata, has macerated. Some recipes also add cognac or substitutewoodruff for theAsperula. TheMaitrank festivities take place in the city every fourth Sunday of May.
The town of Arlon is the most populated of the municipalities in the province of Luxembourg, ahead of Marche-en-Famenne and Aubange. On the other hand, it is the least populated of the country's ten provinces.On 31 December 2019, the city of Arlon had a total population of 30,047 inhabitants.
The nearest airport isLuxembourg Airport, which is located 47 km (29 mi) south east of Arlon. Other nearby major airports includeCharleroi Airport, located 161 km (100 mi) north west andBrussels Airport, located 190 km (118 mi) north west both serving as convenient options for travel to and from the region.
