IFEN Training: Industrial History of the Minett UNESCO Biosphere

Date(s)

Today, the Minett UNESCO Biosphere is an extraordinary cultural landscape where nature and industrial history merge in a unique way. How did a small agricultural country manage to become one of the world's leading steel-producing nations within just a few decades?

This course retraces the history of Luxembourg’s steel industry, which represents a fundamental pillar for understanding the Grand Duchy’s unique identity, economy, and multicultural character. The training is complemented by a visit to the National Mining Museum in Rumelange.

This module is designed for secondary school teachers (cycles 2-4) and explores the history of Luxembourg’s steel industry through four main themes.

Participants will learn how the discovery of Minette iron ore, technological innovations, and the steel industry shaped southern Luxembourg. The guided tour subsequently highlights industrial growth, the social transformations brought about by immigration, and the transition from the steel crisis of the 1970s to the successful redevelopment of former industrial sites such as Belval.

For the excursion, warm clothing and sturdy footwear are recommended, as the temperature inside the Mining Museum remains at around 10°C throughout the year.