John I of Luxembourg, better known as John the Blind, King of Bohemia and Count of Luxembourg, founded the Schueberfouer
on 20 October 1340.
The founding document stated: It will begin on the eve of the feast of St Bartholomew and will last for a full eight
days.
Even today, it remains linked to St Bartholomew's day, 24 August, the traditional opening date.
The name Schueberfouer is thought to originate probably from the name of the market place where it was first held: the
Schuedbuerg, today's "Plateau du St Esprit" (in English: Holy Spirit Plateau; in Luxembourgish: Helleggeescht-Plateau),
which serves nowadays as residential location for the highest courts of justice of Luxembourg. ("Fouer" is the
Luxembourgish word for "fair".)
Another unconfirmed theory links the term "Schueber" to the old German word "Schober" (in English: barn), which would
refer to the initial agricultural role of the fair. Indeed, for almost 450 years, the fair was mainly a large and
regionally very important market for everything from agricultural products and livestock to cloth, pottery and other
household items.
After the Limpertsberg wood had been removed to improve the defensive capabilities of the city, the fair moved in 1610
to the Glacis, a huge open space beyond the westward fortifications of Luxembourg City which were destroyed after 1867
and replaced by the City Park.
During the 18th century, shows and games became part of the fair but it was not until the early 20th century that a
Ferris wheel and a rollercoaster first appeared.
From 23 August to 11 September, the Schueberfouer offers 231 fair stands, including 31 games, 16 children's rides and 41 food and drink
outlets. All this makes the Schueberfouer a delightful experience for young and old.
The Schueberfouer is open Monday to Thursday from 14:00 to 01:00, Fridays from 14:00 to 02:00, Saturdays from 12:00 to
02:00 and Sundays from 12:00 to 01:00. The catering establishments are always open for lunch time.