Centenary of the town of Esch-sur-Alzette Referred to as early
as 1128 by the name of “Asch” in a bull of Pope Honorius II,
Esch-sur-Alzette acquired the status of “free town” on the
initiative of John the Blind in 1328. As a result of enemy
incursions, repeated fires, and destruction of its
fortifications, the city eventually lost its Town status during
the French Revolution in July 1830 (the “July Revolution”). It
was necessary to wait until 1841 to see the village of Esch-sur-
Alzette rise from the ashes to become the capital of the canton
of Esch. Mining development in the 19th century gave the city
its nickname “Métropole du fer” (“Iron metropolis”). This
renewal of activity allowed Esch to regain its Town status on 29
May 1906 on the initiative of Grand Duke William IV. Industrial
activity was brutally halted during World War I. After World War
II, the Town developed rapidly before being severely affected by
the progressive downturn in the iron and steel industry in the
1970s. Once more, Esch-sur-Alzette