Alzette

Alzette is a river in western Luxembourg, with a minor portion crossing into Belgium. It rises near the Belgian border and flows generally south through the western Luxembourg countryside, passing through the industrial valley around Esch-sur-Alzette and other towns before reaching the Sûre, of which it is a tributary. The Sûre then flows into the Moselle and on to the Rhine, making the Alzette part of the larger Rhine river basin.

Historically, the Alzette valley played a key role in Luxembourg’s early industrialization. Water power from the river supported mills and later iron and steel works in towns such as Differdange and Esch-sur-Alzette, contributing to regional growth. In the 20th century the river’s banks became the focus of urban redevelopment as heavy industry declined.

Today the Alzette is used for recreation and habitat conservation as well as water management. Restoration projects aim to improve water quality, reconnect riverbanks with urban areas, and restore riparian habitats. Several bridges and embankments mark its course, and the river remains a defining geographic feature of the Esch-sur-Alzette region.

The name Alzette exists in Luxembourgish as Alzëtt and in French as Alzette. The etymology is uncertain, but the river’s name has been established for centuries as a landmark of the region.