The city of Echternach was already inhabited in Roman times with a large Roman villa.
The abbey and church were founded by the English monk Saint Willibrord (658-739). The first church was rebuilt around 800 in a larger Carolingian church. After it burned down in 1016, a greater basilica was constructed in 1031 in Romanesque style. The Crypt, which is still from the Carolingian church, contains the grave of Saint Willibrord. The abbey was rebuilt in 1737, and currently houses a college.