Durbuy | |
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Municipality | |
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)  Durbuy Location in Belgium Location of Durbuy in Luxembourg province ) | |
| Coordinates: 50°21.13′N 05°27.38′E / 50.35217°N 5.45633°E | |
| Country | Belgium |
| Community | French Community |
| Region | Wallonia |
| Province | Luxembourg |
| Arrondissement | Marche-en-Famenne |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Philippe Bontemps (CDH) |
| • Governing party/ies | CDH, PS |
| Area | |
| • Total | 156.61 km2 (60.47 sq mi) |
| Population (2018-01-01)[1] | |
| • Total | 11,374 |
| • Density | 73/km2 (190/sq mi) |
| Postal codes | 6940, 6941 |
| Area codes | 086 |
| Website | www.durbuy.be |
Durbuy (French pronunciation: [dyʁ.bɥi]) is a Walloon city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Luxembourg. The total area is 156.61 km², consisting of the following sub-municipalities: Durbuy proper, Barvaux, Bende, Bomal, Borlon, Grandhan, Heyd, Izier, Septon, Tohogne, Villers-Sainte-Gertrude, and Wéris. On 1 January 2018 the municipality had 11,374 inhabitants[2] with the most populous town of the municipality being Barvaux not Durbuy itself which is known in Belgium as the nation's smallest city.
History
In medieval times, Durbuy was an important centre of commerce and industry. In 1331, the town was elevated to the rank of city by John I, Count of Luxemburg, and King of Bohemia.
In 1628 Anthonie II Schetz obtains the Seigneurie of Durbuy, by permission of Felipe IV of Spain. One of the people connected to the city was the son of Lancelot II: Charles Hubert Augustin Schetz, (1662-1726), Count of Durbuy. In 1756 the descendants of the House of Schetz obtain the Castle. Since then the House of Ursel resides in the Castle. The current castle was built in 1880.[3]
The Ourthe river flows through the municipality.
Tourism and recreation are its main activities nowadays. Durbuy is often presented and promoted as 'the smallest city of the world.'
Gallery
Castle of the Ursel family.
City limit sign describing Durbuy as the smallest city in the world
Rue des Récollets in Durbuy
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Topiary park in Durbuy
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See also
- List of protected heritage sites in Durbuy
References
- ^ "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
- ^ Population figures 2018
- ^ Histoire, contes, légendes du Pays de Durbuy
External links
Media related to Durbuy at Wikimedia Commons- Durbuy municipality, official site: tourism section available in English
- (in French and Dutch) Town of Durbuy, official site
- Awarded "EDEN - European Destinations of Excellence" non traditional tourist destination 2007
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