Willibrord Abbey of Echternach

the modern basilica in echternach.

lying on river sauer, echternach had been site of 1st-century roman villa. 6th century, estate @ echternach had passed hands of see of trier, had constructed small monastery on estate. in 698, irmina of oeren granted northumbrian missionary willibrord, bishop of utrecht, land @ echternach build larger monastery, appointing willibrord abbot. in part, choice due willibrord s reputation talented proselytiser (he known apostle frisians), and, in part, due danger posed see of utrecht pagan frisian raiders. echternach first anglo-saxon monastery in continental europe.

willibrord opened first church @ echternach in 700 financial backing pepin of herstal. continuing connection, pepin s son, charles martel, founder of carolingian dynasty, had son pepin short baptised @ echternach in 714. in addition carolingian support, willibrord s abbey @ echternach had backing of wilfrid, whom had served @ ripon. furthermore, willibrord overcame stridently anti-irish bias of wilfrid, , secured backing of many irish monks, become backbone first settlement @ echternach.

willibrord spent time @ echternach, after sacking of utrecht in 716, , died there in 739. willibrord interred in oratory, became place of pilgrimage, particularly after canonised. in 751, pepin raised abbey of echternach status of royal abbey , , granted immunity. around walls of abbey, town grew become 1 of largest , prosperous in luxembourg.