Basilica of Saint Willibrord
Echternach, Luxembourg
The abbey church of Luxembourg’s oldest town, with the tomb of Saint Willibrord in the crypt. The dancing procession held here on Whit Tuesday is on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list.
The Basilica of Saint Willibrord is the abbey church of Echternach in eastern Luxembourg, on the River Sauer. In 698 Irmina of Oeren granted the missionary Willibrord land at Echternach for a larger monastery; in 700 he dedicated the first church there. Willibrord died in Echternach in 739 and was buried in the oratory, which became a place of pilgrimage. The crypt dates from the 8th century and has survived largely intact.
A Romanesque basilica was consecrated in 1031. After the choir began to crumble, the church was rebuilt in neo-Romanesque style between 1862 and 1868. In 1939 Pope Pius XII gave it the rank of minor basilica. On 26 December 1944 retreating German troops blew up part of the church; it was rebuilt in its original style and reconsecrated in 1953.
Every year on Whit Tuesday the Echternach dancing procession is held in honour of Willibrord. It has been on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2010; according to UNESCO about 8,000 dancers in 45 groups take part, and the event ends with a service in the basilica. If you travel on that day, expect large crowds and plan ahead.
- Nearest town
- Echternach, Luxembourg
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 49.8128, 6.4192
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Luxembourg: No motorway tolls for cars. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Belle-Vue 2000Campsite5 km from Basilica of Saint Willibrord · 380 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- MartbuschCampsite6 km from Basilica of Saint WillibrordTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Wies-NeuCampsite8 km from Basilica of Saint WillibrordTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Campingplatz Alter Bahnhof MetzdorfCampsite9 km from Basilica of Saint WillibrordTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Camping Park BeaufortCampsite10 km from Basilica of Saint WillibrordTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping NeumuhleCampsite14 km from Basilica of Saint Willibrord · 105 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in Luxembourg · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Basilica of Saint Willibrord?
Basilica of Saint Willibrord is in Echternach, Luxembourg, at GPS 49.8128, 6.4192. It is about 12 km from Mullerthal.
Can you camp near Basilica of Saint Willibrord?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Campingpark Freibad Echternacherbrück, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 60 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Basilica of Saint Willibrord?
Basilica of Saint Willibrord is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Mullerthal and the Luxembourg Moselle.
What is there to see near Basilica of Saint Willibrord?
Places worth a stop nearby: Schiessentümpel (7 km), Beaufort Castle (10 km), Larochette Castle (15 km) and Porta Nigra (17 km).
When is the best time to visit Basilica of Saint Willibrord?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)