Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Luxembourg Echternach The Crypt of Saint Willibrord
AO Edited

The Crypt of Saint Willibrord

Below the altar in Saint-Willibrord Basilica rests the mortal remains of Luxembourg's patron saint.

Echternach, Luxembourg

Added By
R Rivers
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Entrance to the crypt, accessed from inside the Saint-Willibrord Basillica.   rebeqarivers / Atlas Obscura User
The visitors book by the saint’s tomb features prayers and messages left by pilgrims and tourists alike.   rebeqarivers / Atlas Obscura User
Preserved frescoes in the crypt.   rebeqarivers / Atlas Obscura User
The chapel in the crypt.   rebeqarivers / Atlas Obscura User
The Willibrord Fountain in the crypt,   rebeqarivers / Atlas Obscura User
The marble sarcophagus of Saint Willibrord.   rebeqarivers / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

In a crypt in the east of Luxembourg stands a white marble sarcophagus that houses the remains of Luxembourg's patron saint. Saint Willibrord was an Anglo-Saxon, Irish Benedictine monk who became the first bishop of Utrecht in what is now the Netherlands. In 698, he went on to establish the Abbey of Echternach on the site of a Roman villa in modern-day Luxembourg. Willibrord died on 7 November, 739 at the age of 81, and according to his wish, was buried in Echternach. He was venerated as a saint soon after his death.

The crypt dates from the Merovingian period and still features beautifully preserved frescoes. Be sure to visit the Willibrord Fountain, also located in the crypt, which is painted with a fresco of the saint and the Latin inscription, “Haurietis aquas in gaudio de fontibus salvatoris” or “You will draw waters in joy from the fountains of the Savior.” This spring is one of many Willibrord Wells or Willibrord Fountains, which skirted his missionary routes, and were visited by the faithful to solicit the healing of various nervous diseases, especially for children.

Since at least 1100, faithful pilgrims have honored Saint Willibrord with the dancing procession of Echternach, an annual Roman Catholic dancing procession that ends with a service in the basilica above the crypt. Echternach is the last traditional dancing procession in Europe. The procession is held every Whit Tuesday and draws many thousands of tourists and pilgrims from around the world. In 2010, the Echternacht procession was added to the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Related Tags

Fresco Churches

Know Before You Go

The church is open to the public Monday through Saturday.

Community Contributors

Added By

rebeqarivers

Published

May 17, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://web.cathol.lu/2/mouvements/oeuvre-saint-willibrord/st-willibrord-website-english-version/saint-willibrord/the-life-of-saint-willibrord.html
  • https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/hopping-procession-of-echternach-00392
  • https://web.archive.org/web/20140814070111/http://www.willibrord.lu/rubrique4/Saint-Willibrord/The-life-of-Saint-Willibrord
  • https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/hopping-procession-of-echternach-00392
  • https://web.archive.org/web/20140814070111/http://www.willibrord.lu/rubrique4/Saint-Willibrord/The-life-of-Saint-Willibrord
  • https://web.cathol.lu/2/mouvements/oeuvre-saint-willibrord/st-willibrord-website-english-version/saint-willibrord/the-life-of-saint-willibrord.html
The Crypt of Saint Willibrord
L-6460
Echternach
Luxembourg
49.812849, 6.420134
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Wollefsschlucht (Wolf Gorge)

Echternach, Luxembourg

miles away

Hohllay Cave

Berdorf, Luxembourg

miles away

Schiessentümpel

Beidweiler, Luxembourg

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Echternach

Echternach

Luxembourg

Places 2

Nearby Places

Wollefsschlucht (Wolf Gorge)

Echternach, Luxembourg

miles away

Hohllay Cave

Berdorf, Luxembourg

miles away

Schiessentümpel

Beidweiler, Luxembourg

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Echternach

Echternach

Luxembourg

Places 2

Related Places

  • Ruins of the church in Dvorine from above.

    Banja, Serbia

    Dvorine

    The remains of a luxurious 14th-century church built by the last despot of Serbia.

  • Mioglia, Church of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Facade

    Mioglia, Italy

    Church of Saint Andrew the Apostle

    Some say this small Italian church holds a gate to Heaven.

  • Altar and murals.

    Akhtala, Armenia

    Akhtala Monastery

    This often-missed monastery, set in a scenic mountain landscape, features unique frescoes, fortifications and legends.

  • Pavia, Italy

    The Views of Pavia

    These 500-year-old frescoes depict the city in its glory days.

  • The nave of St. Ignatius Mission Church.

    Saint Ignatius, Montana

    St. Ignatius Mission

    This landmark church at the Flathead Reservation mission features 58 ceiling and wall frescoes painted by the mission's cook.

  • Paintings on the outside of Suceviţa Monastery

    Sucevița, Romania

    Suceviţa Monastery

    This fortress-like monastery is covered with intricate frescoes.

  • The Pickering Parish Church

    Pickering, England

    Church of St. Peter & St. Paul

    Remarkable medieval wall paintings decorate this 12th-century, dog-friendly church.

  • The exterior of the church.

    Gorno Nerezi, North Macedonia

    Church of St. Panteleimon

    See gorgeous frescoes at this modest Byzantine place of worship.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.