City in Wallonia, Belgium

Houffalize

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In 38 languages
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Key facts

population5,244

area167km²

instance ofmunicipality of Belgium, Belgian municipality with the title of city

countryBelgium

capitalHouffalize

head of governmentMarc Caprasse

All data from the card 14

Country: Belgium
Community: French Community
Region: Wallonia
Province: Luxembourg
Arrondissement: Bastogne
• Mayor: Marc Caprasse (cdH, G&S)
• Governing parties: Gestion & Service (G&S)
• Total: 167.41 km2 (64.64 sq mi)
• Total: 5,244
• Density: 31.32/km2 (81.13/sq mi)
Postal codes: 6660, 6661, 6662, 6663, 6666
NIS code: 82014
Area codes: 061
Website: houffalize.be

Houffalize (French pronunciation:; German: Hohenfels; Walloon: Oufalijhe) is a city and municipality of Wallonia located in the province of Luxembourg, Belgium.

On 1 January 2007 the municipality, which covers 166.58 square kilometres (64.32 sq mi), had 4,802 inhabitants, giving a population density of 28.8 inhabitants per km².

The municipality consists of the following districts: Houffalize, Mabompré, Mont, Nadrin, Tailles, Tavigny, and Wibrin. Other population centers include Achouffe, Alboumont, Boeur, Bonnerue, Buret, Cetturu, Chabrehez, Cowan, Dinez, Engreux, Filly, Fontenaille, Mormont, Ollomont, Pisserotte, Sommerain, Taverneux, Vellereux, Vissoûle, Wandebourcy, and Wilogne.

History

Houffalize was a strategic location during the Battle of the Bulge of World War II. Specifically, Generals Montgomery and Patton met up here, Montgomery coming from the north and Patton from the south, in their counter-attack against the German forces remaining in the area. The town was flattened on the night of 5–6 January 1945 by ninety RAF Lancasters of Bomber Command to block the key crossroads for German supply columns and the escape route for German forces. Patton wrote a poem in his diary about the bombing.

International relations

Twin towns - Sister cities

Houffalize is a founding member of the Douzelage, a unique town twinning association of 24 towns across the European Union. This active town twinning began in 1991 and there are regular events, such as a produce market from each of the other countries and festivals. Discussions regarding membership are also in hand with three further towns (Agros in Cyprus, Škofja Loka in Slovenia, and Tryavna in Bulgaria).