A commune has different definitions depending on the period as well as geography. Some mean a kind of lifestyle in which a group of people, a commune share everything. The word also meant a kind of self-governing town in Western Europe during the Medieval period. Today, the word mostly means the smallest administrative district of a country. Here are some of the most enchanting communes in Europe.
Esch-sur-Sûre Commune in Luxemburg
Esch-sur-Sûre is a commune by the river Sauer in north-western Luxembourg. According to the records of 2005, the commune has a population of 314 people. The most prominent structure of the commune is the ruins of a feudal castle dating from 927 AD.
Vianden In Luxemburg
The origins of Vianden go back to Roman times during which the commune was famous for its vineyards. The fascinating castle of Vianden was built between the 11th and 14th centuries over the ruins of the old Roman castle. The commune also saw several battles in its long history. In fact, it was the last place in Luxembourg to be freed from the Germans after the Second World War.
Saint-Émilion in Southwestern France
Saint-Émilion is a medieval commune famous for its vineyards in the heart of the Bordeaux wine area which made the commune a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. It takes its name from a hermit who allegedly performed a few miracles in the area in the 8th century. Nevertheless, the history of wine production in Saint-Émilion goes back to the 2nd century AD. Along with its famous wine industry, the commune also attracts attention with its Romanesque churches.
Bourscheid Commune in Luxemburg
Bourscheid is a commune or a small town in north-eastern Luxembourg with a population of 466 according to 2021 records. Probably built in the 10th century, the Bourscheid Castle is the largest in the country.
Santuario della Madonna del Sangue in the Commune of Re, Italy
Re is a commune and a village in the region of Piedmont, Italy. Probably the most famous part of Re is the Santuario della Madonna del Sangue. It was built in 1627 on a site where a miracle occurred in 1494. According to the miracle, a stone hit the fresco of the Nursing Madonna which then started to bleed.
Mont-Saint Michael in Normandy, France
