Durbuy

Durbuy (French pronunciation: [dyʁ.bɥi] ⓘ; Walloon: Derbu) is a city and municipality of Wallonia located in the province of Luxembourg, Belgium.

Durbuy
Derbu (Walloon)
Municipality
Coat of arms of Durbuy
Coat of arms
Location of Durbuy
Durbuy is located in Belgium
Durbuy
Durbuy
Location in Belgium
Location of Durbuy in Luxembourg province
Coordinates: 50°21.13′N 05°27.38′E
Country Belgium
CommunityFrench Community
RegionWallonia
ProvinceLuxembourg
ArrondissementMarche-en-Famenne
Government
 • MayorPhilippe Bontemps (cdH, Liste du bourgmestre)
 • Governing party/iesListe du bourgmestre
Area
 • Total157.08 km2 (60.65 sq mi)
Population
 (2021-12-01)[1]
 • Total11,637
 • Density74/km2 (190/sq mi)
Postal codes
6940, 6941
NIS code
83012
Area codes086
Websitewww.durbuy.be

The total area is 156.61 km², consisting of the following districts: Barvaux, Bende, Bomal, Borlon, Durbuy, 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. Durbuy, for commercial reasons, often calls itself the world's smallest city, although Belgium's official smallest city, since 2006, is Mesen.

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 represented, by itself and by tourism promoters, as 'the smallest city of the world'.

  • Castle of the Ursel family.
    Castle of the Ursel family.
  • City limit sign representing Durbuy as the smallest city in the world
    City limit sign representing Durbuy as the smallest city in the world
  • Rue des Récollets in Durbuy
    Rue des Récollets in Durbuy
  • Topiary park in Durbuy
    Topiary park in Durbuy

See also

References
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  2. Population figures 2018
  3. Histoire, contes, légendes du Pays de Durbuy
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