Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is located in Western Europe, bordering Belgium, France and Germany. The title of its ruler occupies an intermediate position between a “simple” duke and a king, hence the pompous name of this small state with a population of just over 500 thousand people.
Luxembourg originates from the small fortification of Lutzeburg, which was built during the times of the ancient Romans. It was then captured by the Franks and became part of Charlemagne's empire. In 963, Count Siegfried bought these lands and built a castle on the site of the fortification, later named Luxembourg. In 1354 the county was transformed into a duchy.
In a series of endless wars Duchy of Luxembourg there was no way the neighbors could divide it. It was part of the Holy Roman Empire, was captured by Spain, France, and was part of the German Confederation. And finally, in 1867, following the results of the London Conference, it finally became an independent state.
Luxembourg - walled city
Luxembourg It was no coincidence that it aroused great interest in the German Confederation: after Gibraltar it was the most powerful European fortress. It was possible to evict the Prussian garrison only in 1866 at the request of France, but during both World Wars Germany invariably captured the duchy, despite its neutral status. Therefore the main Luxembourg attractions– these are his fortresses and castles.
The capital of the duchy itself was one large fortress, the remains of which are preserved in its historical center - the Upper Town. Defensive power emanates from the casemates, which are many kilometers of corridors and tunnels in the La Bocque rock. Their construction began during the period of Spanish rule in 1644, when the first bastions rose over the Pétrusse River.
The Three Acorns fortress, which received such a unique name because of the gilded figurines of acorns placed on its towers, also managed to partially survive.
|
|
This fortification was erected in 1732; a deep ditch was dug around its walls, and it was possible to get inside only through a 170-meter tunnel. After the demolition of the fortress walls in 1867, only three towers with acorns remained, which stood abandoned for a long time. In 1990, they were reconstructed and access to the museums located there was opened.
What's behind the fortress walls?
The Upper Town is an open-air museum, which presents all history of Luxembourg. Its heart is the square named after Grand Duke Willem II (aka William II and Guillaume II). During his reign, reforms began that pulled Luxembourg out of a protracted crisis. In memory of these achievements, an equestrian statue of Willem II was erected here.
|
|
The second, “popular” name of the square is Knüdler (a knot on the Franciscan’s belt). In the Middle Ages, there was a monastery on this site, in the church of which, for some reason, gunpowder was stored. In 1554, it was struck by lightning and a huge fire broke out, destroying almost the entire Upper City. It was necessary to rebuild not only the temple, but also the City Hall, which in 1890 became the Palace of the Grand Dukes.
It was rebuilt several times, so its architecture is a mixture of Flemish style and French Renaissance. During World War II, the Germans plundered the Palace and turned it into an entertainment venue. Then Duchess Charlotte, who returned from exile, had to restore her residence.
|
|
Now in this rather modest building, with a guard standing alone at the entrance, official receptions and negotiations are held. And every year from the Yellow Room of the Palace country Luxembourg receives Merry Christmas greetings from his Grand Duke.
Notre Dame Cathedral and the "Golden Frau"
Next to Place Willem II is the main church of the Catholic diocese - the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Luxembourg. It was built in 1613-1621 by the Jesuit order, but the brotherhood did not have a chance to admire its elegant beauty for long: after 150 years they were deported from the country.
The church was first renamed in honor of St. Nicholas, then St. Teresa. And in 1870, after the visit of Pope Pius IX, it became the Cathedral, at which time the image of the Virgin Comforter appeared in it, whom Luxembourg city considers her to be her heavenly patroness. In 1935-1939, the temple was restored and is now considered one of the best examples of late Gothic architecture.
The composition is dedicated to the memory of Luxembourgers who fought during the First World War against the German occupiers. In 1940, the “Golden Frau” was dismantled by the Nazis, and it disappeared without a trace. It was discovered many years later under the stadium's stands, and in 1984 the monument was returned to its place.
One of the symbols of the capital of Luxembourg is the Adolphe Bridge, connecting the Upper and Lower Towns.
|
|
Built at the beginning of the 20th century in just 3 years, it was named after the Grand Duke, who laid the first stone in its foundation. At that time, it was the largest arch bridge in the world, until in 1905 this title passed to its “brother” in Germany.
Luxembourg - the land of castles
What to see in Luxembourg, except its capital? These are, of course, castles scattered throughout the duchy.
The main one is Berg Castle in the city of Colmar-Berg, since 1848 the official residence of the King of the Netherlands, since 1890 - the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. Willem II bought it from the wealthy Pasquier family, then Grand Duke Adolf moved into it with his family.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the old castle was demolished and a new one was erected. When the economic crisis began in the 1930s, Berg and the capital's Palace were transferred by His Royal Highness to the treasury for compensation of 40 million francs. During the Second World War, the castle was abandoned, then it was restored, and in 1964 the ducal family returned there.
No less famous is Vianden Castle, located in the city of the same name, 40 km from the capital. It was built for the counts of Vianden in the 11th-14th centuries on the remains of a Roman fortress, and in 1407 it became the property of the Orange-Nassau family. At the end of the 19th century, Vianden became unaffordable for the owners, and they began to sell it for building materials. In 1977, at the direction of the Duke, the castle was transferred to the state, restored and became a monument of European significance.
The 10th-century castle in the city of Mamer was also destroyed to the ground, but on the site of its ruins, the chief of the city police in 1830 built a new one, fenced with 2-meter walls. Until 1995, the owners of the castle and surrounding lands changed, until it was bought by the administration of the local commune. In 2002, after restoration work was completed, the castle became the Town Hall, where the administration moved.
Bourscheid Castle, the largest in the duchy, was also founded in the 10th century. Throughout the Middle Ages, it was constantly completed and expanded.
|
|
In 1512, after the death of Lord Bourscheid, the castle was divided by 3 “indirect” heirs, after which it fell into disrepair, and at the beginning of the 19th century it completely collapsed. In 1936 it was recognized as a national treasure, but restoration was prevented by the war. Only in 1972 did reconstruction begin in Burscheid, which continues to this day, but the castle is already open to the public.
Holy Trinity Abbey
30 km from Luxembourg is the Abbey of the Holy Trinity, one of the oldest in the country. It was founded in 698 by the Benedictines, led by Bishop Willibrord, who was canonized after his death. The abbey flourished until the end of the 18th century, when revolutionary French soldiers invaded it, dispersed the monks, requisitioned the book collection, and converted the basilica into a pottery workshop. After 100 years, the temple was bought by the residents of Echternach, and services were resumed there. In 1944, the basilica was blown up by the retreating Nazis, but 9 years later it was completely restored.
Little Luxembourg performed a great miracle by preserving its language and statehood. He deserves the atmosphere of serenity and tranquility that reigns on the green and perfectly clean streets of his cities.
The first day in any city is very important. If you have a good action plan, you can see a lot of things, and most importantly, set the right mode for your further trip. Not to mention situations when you only have one day in the city. This is exactly what happened to me with Luxemburg - all the readers vied with each other, and I, a fool, listened. In the end, I liked the city, and I would willingly spend another day there.
“You will see portraits like this in all the businesses in the city,” the attendant assured me during registration. However, during my stay in Luxembourg, I did not notice another such portrait.
Not quite sure how to spend a day in the city, I asked my friends, who contacted their friend, Olga. She sent me a tip on this excellent route. I quote it almost verbatim as a good way to summarize this entire post into one paragraph:
We start from Constitution Square, where there is a gorgeous view of the main attraction - the Adolf Bridge (this is the first Duke, if that). Then we go to Notre Dame, and from there to the Corniche street - this is “balcony” in French - along the entire street there is a gorgeous view of Luxembourg, considered one of the most beautiful views in Europe. Along it we come to the ruins of the castle from which Luxembourg began and the Bock casemates. This is in the rock of a cave where garrisons used to be located. It costs 6 euros to go inside. From the casemates we go to the center of the old city, to the palace of the Grand Duke, we walk there in zigzags, and then to the Perscatore foundation. There is a very beautiful building there - it is a nursing home. And next to it is a new elevator. We go down on it to the lower city. We are walking along the Alzette River. We've been walking for a long time. We pass by the abbey, but on the other side of the river. We go up and we are at the starting point.
2. So, let's start with Constitution Square (Place de la Constitution). The square can be recognized by the golden statue of a woman placed on a granite obelisk. (The monument is called “Golden Aunt”; it is a monument to those who fell in the world wars.)
3. The square offers a beautiful view of the Adolfo Bridge. This beautiful bridge over the Petrus River was built at the very beginning of the 20th century. He was named after the first Grand Duke of Luxembourg.
Despite its more than thousand-year history (we'll talk about it a little later), Luxembourg acquired Grand Dukes relatively recently, in 1890. Throughout most of the 19th century, the territory of the duchy, being a formally independent state, was subordinate to the king of the Netherlands. That is, one person concurrently ruled both Holland and Luxembourg, while they remained different states. (Also, for a hundred years, England and Scotland shared the king, but not the sovereignty. This situation ended after.)
So, in 1890, the King of the Netherlands, Willem III, died, leaving only a daughter as his heirs. According to Dutch law, she became queen, but Luxembourg did not recognize female monarchs at that time, and Willem’s closest relative, Adolf, became the ruler of the tiny territory.
4. The bridge named after him is currently being repaired.
By the way, the Petrus River, over which this bridge is thrown, looks like this:
I'll have some pictures of the trains on this bridge. Don't think it's just luck. Each time, seeing it from a new angle, I stood for ten minutes, aiming, waiting for the next train.
13. The Corniche takes us to the point where the Alzette loop creates a high natural cliff above the valley. This place is called Bok. It was here in the 10th century that Count Siegfried built the first castle, calling it Lisilinburg (Small Fortress). From this moment Luxembourg traces its history. Later, one of the most impregnable fortresses in Europe stood on this site. At the end of the 18th century, the French army besieged Luxembourg for seven months before taking it. After this, they declared the Luxembourg fortress second after Gibraltar. After this, the city began to be called “northern Gibraltar”.
14. At the end of the 18th century, the Austrians built a bridge like this, which connected the elevated cliff with the rest of the city. Interestingly, the bridge provides as many as four options to cross from one cliff to another! There is a wide road along its top; there is also a passage under the upper series of arches, it can be seen in the photograph; there is also a special staircase crossing the main arch inside the bridge; and finally, under the bridge there is a narrow underground tunnel connecting both sides!
15. But the most interesting thing is inside the cliff. After all, it was all dug with tunnels to create an even more effective defense. In the dungeons of Bok there are Casemates, available to tourists for six euros. Walking through these artificial caves is very interesting, especially since they are the only thing left of the once powerful fortress.
The fact is that in the 19th century, the French tried to buy Luxembourg from the Dutch crown. Prussia, whose authorities were then in the process of reunifying the German Empire, also encroached on the territory. But none of the great powers could allow the most powerful fortress in northern Europe to fall to someone else. As a result, a compromise was reached: Luxembourg would remain neutral, and to ensure this neutrality, Bock's fortifications would have to be destroyed. After signing this agreement, the above-ground buildings were dismantled for 16 years!
16. Well, the underground ones are left to us, the tourists. Here you can still stumble upon military weapons of bygone times. The coolest thing is that in many places these caves abut “windows” hollowed out in the cliff.
17. The casemates were dug at many levels, often the tunnels being raised and lowered by spiral staircases.
18. And here is a well, with the help of which the garrison could get water from the river below. According to legend, there is a mermaid at its bottom!
19. Through one of the "windows" in the walls one can see the roof of the Church of St. John, in Neumünster Abbey.
20. After the casemates we will head to the old “high city”. It is at the top of the cliff. There are many shops and cafes here.
21. The Grand Duke's Palace is also located here. He is guarded by an honor guard with machine guns.
22. The flag of Luxembourg is similar to the Dutch one - an echo of the time when both countries were ruled by the same person.
23. The old building of the Central Bank of Luxembourg.
24. Next to it there is a new building - on its facade there is a public service announcement about the new 50 euro banknotes, which were put into circulation in early April.
25. And this is behind the bank. The Iron Egg is another work of contemporary art. In general, there are a lot of such things in Luxembourg, there is something to look at.
26. This beautiful building is the Pescatore Foundation, named after a famous businessman of the first half of the 19th century. After his death, he left a huge amount of money to the city to build a nursing home.
27. His will was carried out, and today this palace belongs to grandparents who proudly walk around its territory, leaning on sticks and walkers.
29. There is also a “lower city” there. How to get there?
30. Fortunately, there is a free street elevator.
Let's go down!
31. The lower town is also old. There are also stone turrets, walls, and houses, just like in fairy tales!
32. We continue our walk along the banks of the Alzette River, going around the Bock cliff, from which we just descended.
33. It's beautiful here. Sometimes there are dams.
34. The banks of the river are covered with greenery.
35. We pass under the high supports of the railway bridge. Or is this another bridge? There seem to be several of these in Luxembourg.
36. There is also an embankment - you have to walk along the river for quite a long time.
37. And so, we come to the place that we had previously seen from the Corniche street-balcony.
38. To our left is the abbey, to our right is the Bock cliff. We have already seen all this from above!
39. At this point, an old fortress bridge spans the river.
40. Along it you can go straight to the abbey itself, and climb to the other side of the river valley.
41. A view back to the cliffs cut by casemates. Just an hour ago I was looking out of these holes and looking at where I am standing now!
42. Here you can climb to the Ram plateau, where there is also a half-destroyed fortress. However, now it looks like it is being restored. I hope this does not jeopardize Luxembourg's neutrality!
43. The railway tracks run through the towers and fortifications of this fortress.
44. It is from here that trains leave for the beautiful bridge! Here, too, it’s worth keeping watch for the red train.
45. But let's go back across the river. Between Corniche Street and its shore there are several more roads in the middle, from where you can clearly see the valley and the old city in it.
46. This area is called Grund. Oh, there's a train again!
47. While I was walking, I constantly noticed how low the planes were landing. Luxembourg Airport is located very close to the city.
48. We will continue to walk along the Alzette River. Here is the lower city, and there on the cliff is the upper one, where we started.
49. But here I am again back at the Adolphe Bridge. From below it looks even more impressive. For some reason, from here it reminded me of a fairy tale. It's hard to believe that such a steep bridge spans such a tiny stream.
Next to the Adolphe Bridge there are stairs that you can climb back to the Place de la Constitución, where we started our walk.
How did you like the excursion? After it, I regretted that I only had one day in Luxembourg, because I wanted to spend more time in many of these places, and I hadn’t even seen the new areas of the city yet. I'll definitely come back here someday.
Many thanks to Olga for this route. By the way, she's leading Instagram, @rhythmofs, which talks about Luxembourg, and other places in northern Europe. Subscribe to it if you like old spiky cities! (Well and subscribe to my Instagram at the same time. This is the best way to keep track of me while traveling).
The ancient city, with a history of more than a thousand years, resembles an illustration from an old children's fairy tale, in which green hills, moss-covered gorges, the Petrus and Alzette rivers, framed by an openwork lace of bridges, harmoniously fit into the panorama of ancient architecture. Centuries-old castles with mysterious towers, soaring spiers of cathedrals and churches - all this allows you to plunge into the amazing atmosphere of medieval Europe.
Luxembourg is located on a rocky hill, surrounded on three sides by a seventy-meter gorge. This geographical location in ancient times was of decisive importance - the impregnable castle built on this incredibly beautiful place played an important strategic role in the history of Europe. This is where the name of the city comes from, because the word “Lucilinburhuc” translates as “small fortress”.
The founders of the city, without a doubt, had excellent aesthetic taste. It is difficult to believe that they were guided solely by security considerations, as even the modern appearance of steep stone walls with destroyed ancient fortifications can tell.
Sights of Luxembourg: photos and descriptions
The city of Luxembourg, despite its small size by our standards, is rich in attractions. The visiting card of Luxembourg and one of the main objects of attention of tourists is the Grand Ducal Palace - the Grand Duke's Palace, which is currently the current residence of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, where he performs his duties as head of state.
The residence of the ruler of Luxembourg is easy to distinguish from other ancient mansions thanks to one characteristic feature - the central entrance to the building is guarded by a guard. In order to save the guards from the too intrusive attention of tourists who want to pat on the shoulder, hug or take a photo with the guardsman, the Duke ordered the installation of a fence that would not allow a familiar attitude towards the representatives of the guard of honor.
Tourists who go on an excursion in July - August will be incredibly lucky. At this time, for only six weeks, when the Duke and his family go on vacation, there is an opportunity to visit the palace itself - not only a status, but also a very beautiful place. On the ground floor there are state halls and offices intended for meetings and audiences. The Ballroom is used for receptions and banquets in honor of high-ranking guests. You can also see the country-famous Yellow Room, from which the Grand Duke every Christmas Eve congratulates all residents of the small state on the upcoming Christmas.
Palace coordinates: 17, Rue du Marché-aux-Herbes; tel.: +352 4748 74
1. Group tours (about 40 people per group), led by guides, last approximately 45 minutes and are very inexpensive - 7 euros for an adult and 3.5 euros for a child. Tickets for them can be purchased at Place Guillaume II, at the tourist office. Experienced tourists recommend doing this in advance, since the interest of visitors in this attraction is quite high, and not everyone is able to get into the residence.
Another significant attraction of Luxembourg, undoubtedly, is the Cathedral of Notre Dame of Luxembourg - Notre Dame Cathedral - a building of amazing beauty and elegance, located in the southern part of the capital. Its three spiers have become an integral part of the city's panorama.
The exterior of the cathedral has Gothic features, despite the fact that both the interior and exterior decoration contain quite a lot of decorative elements characteristic of the Renaissance era. Initially, the cathedral building belonged to the Jesuit order, and the temple acquired its modern name only in 1870 with the formation of the local archbishopric.
The entrance portal with columns, richly decorated with stucco and sculptures, is extremely beautiful and majestic.
The interior is decorated with magnificent stained glass windows, tapestries, large and small organs, choirs in the Moorish style, as well as bronze lions that tirelessly guard the entrance to the crypt - the tomb of the Grand Dukes. The most revered relic is kept in the temple - the miraculous image of the Mother of God - the patroness of the city.
It is noteworthy that the cathedral, owned by the Catholic Church, is active, so you can always meet crowds of pilgrims from Rome and other places here. A special time for pilgrims is the third, fourth and fifth Sundays after Easter, when the cathedral is filled with thousands of people who want to venerate the Holy Virgin - the Comforter - the patroness of Luxembourg.
You can admire the beauty of the temple, immerse yourself in its special atmosphere, letting peace into your heart and mind, on any day, however, in order not to disturb the parishioners, it is better to plan your visit before or after the end of the mass.
Location: Cathedrale Notre-Dame, Rue Notre-Dame, L-2240 Luxemburg
Cathedral opening hours: Monday - Saturday - 10:00 - 12:00 and 14:00 - 17:30, Sunday - 14:00 - 17:30.
The entrance is free.
The most elegant symbol of Luxembourg
Luxembourg received one of its names – “City of Bridges” – not by chance. Located on a picturesque hilly area, divided by rivers into the Upper and Lower cities, Luxembourg could not do without various bridges and footbridges, of which there are as many as 111! They not only help you get from one area of the city to another, but also historically connect modern Luxembourg with its past. If you are interested in bridges, then you can admire their diversity in, or Hamburg.
The most significant and famous bridges in Luxembourg are the Old Bridge and the Pont Adolphe. The famous Luxembourg arch bridge is named after Duke Adolphe of Luxembourg and is the national symbol of the Grand Duchy. At the time of its construction, the Adolf Bridge was the largest bridge made of stone in the world. Despite its very respectable age - more than a hundred years - it still continues to be called New. From the Adolphe Bridge there is a magnificent view of the park complex located in the valley of the Petrus River.
The Old Viaduct, built in 1859, as well as the Charlotte Bridge, named after Duchess Charlotte and connecting the center of the capital and the modern district of Kirchberg, are also noteworthy.
From the bridges it is convenient to observe the daily life of the Lower and Upper cities, in which amazingly beautiful landscapes with majestic gorges and picturesque valleys are harmoniously combined with the architecture of city museums, art galleries, cobbled narrow streets and modern boutiques, expensive restaurants.
In Luxembourg, along with a huge number of pompous palaces, elegant churches and gloomy castle ruins, there is another interesting attraction - the Bock fortress. In fact, the fortress is long gone, it was destroyed, but the underground casemates remained, which is why this name is more common - “Bok casemates”.
From the strongest fortress in Europe, destroyed in 1868, many buildings survived - the Three Acorns tower, the citadel of the Holy Spirit, some walls with loopholes, fortress gates, underground passages and casemates, where the defenders of the fortress hid in the event of its capture. Underground passages connected fortifications located in different parts of the city.
It is noteworthy that many ancient buildings still have underground passages leading to casemates. During World War II, the damp tunnels served as a bomb shelter for local residents. Today, the Bok casemates are one of the most interesting places where curious tourists want to go.
The casemates that appeared in the 17th century stretched 23 km under the then existing Luxembourg Fortress. Later, their length was reduced by 6 km, but the remaining passages and tunnels are more than enough for an exciting excursion full of legends and mysteries. Mysterious corridors and frightening dark chambers can unexpectedly lead the visitor to an “exit” located 100 meters above the ground. But the views that open to tourists from these windows and balconies are simply mesmerizing!
Open from March to October, the rock passages are divided into Petrus casemates and Bock casemates. Entry to the Petrus casemates is allowed every hour and only with a guide.
The entrance ticket costs 3 euros, for a group visit of 10 people - 2.80 euros, for a child you will have to pay 2.50 euros.
The Bok casemates are more popular among tourists, since the entrance to them is organized for independent study and viewing. The cost of visiting is 1.75 euros.
Cultural heritage of Luxembourg
The capital, as it should be, is the center of the cultural values of the duchy. Luxembourg has a Municipal Theatre, National Library, and Conservatory. The National Museum is worthy of special attention, as it has collected many amazing historical exhibits and works of art under its arches.
The museum is located in the Upper Town, in a specially built modern building. The entire history of the Duchy of Luxembourg is presented to visitors in the paintings of artists, archaeological finds and everyday objects.
Initially, the museum’s halls featured exhibits related to archeology and natural sciences, but over the years the collection grew, replenished with new items, including an astronomical clock purchased at a sale in 1796, which is carefully stored here to this day.
In addition to exhibitions dedicated to folk artistic crafts, peculiarities of life, and traditions of Luxembourg, the museum regularly hosts unusual and interesting temporary exhibitions and photo exhibitions.
Address: Nationalmusée fir Geschicht a Konscht, Marché-aux-Poissons, L-2345 Luxembourg.
You can visit the museum on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday-Sunday from 10:00 – 18:00, on Thursday from 10:00 – 20:00.
Entrance to the museum is paid, for adults 5 euros, for children, students and pensioners - 3 euros. From 17:00 to 20:00 on Thursday, admission to the museum is free.
In addition to the National Museum, the city is rich in a variety of other museums and art galleries. There are also the Luxembourg City Historical Museum, the Museum of Arms and Fortresses, the Museum of Postal and Telecommunications, the Museum of Urban Transport and the Museum of Ancient Musical Instruments, the Municipal Gallery of Pescatore, the Municipal Art Gallery and others.
The modern National Museum of Natural History is also interesting for a family visit., whose mission is to awaken and develop interest in nature and the environment, to introduce the results of its own research conducted in the field of astrophysics and geophysics, geology, mineralogy, botany, and also to draw attention to the problems of preserving natural resources.
Tourist impressions: pedestrian Luxembourg
It's amazing how many interesting and beautiful things can fit into the territory of a tiny state! Only in the capital of the duchy lies a lot of incredible surprises, which, as experienced tourists say, are best explored on foot. Luxembourg seems to have been created for them - the narrow cobbled streets in the old quarters look completely unsuitable for car traffic. Often this is the case, as special road signs warn about it. But even the absence of a sign does not mean that there will be no obstacles on the way in the form of stairs or a dead end.
Most of the capital's center, where the main attractions of Luxembourg are located, is equipped as a pedestrian zone. Walking around the city, it is impossible to ignore Place Guillaume II, if only because it is the main square of the city, and there is a priori something to see here.
This is a crowded and very important place for Luxembourgers. On the eastern side of the square, the monument to William II on horseback attracts attention. On holidays, the square hosts parades, ceremonial events, and concerts, for which a stage is specially installed. And on Saturdays there are farmers' markets and flower sales.
Here on the square is the City Hall, a two-story building built in 1830 in the classicist style, which now houses the Hotel de Ville.
Another of the many attractions of Luxembourg is the statue of Grand Duchess Charlotte located on Place Clairefontaine. During her reign from 1919 to 1964, the country developed rapidly, becoming one of the richest and most developed countries in Europe. “We love you,” reads the inscription on the base of the monument, which speaks of the gratitude of the citizens of Luxembourg to the duchess.
Not far from the square is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which occupies a building that previously belonged to the Refugium of the Trier Abbey of St. Maximina. Other attractive architectural structures include the Church of Saint-Michel, an ancient Jesuit college, and the Jesuit library, which for a long time remained the only cradle of science in the city.
In addition to cathedrals and palaces, Luxembourg has another pride - wine. And although they are not as widely known as the wines of Chile or Spain, it is definitely worth trying the famous white Mosel wines by booking an excursion and visiting the vineyards of the Moselle Valley. In addition, Luxembourg is famous for its special blackcurrant wine, which can only be tasted here.
A lot can be said about the sights of Luxembourg - the history of the state and the capital itself is full of events reflected in the architecture of the city and its landscapes. But in order to fully experience the charm of this European capital, plunge into the atmosphere of ancient castles and admire the beauty of the local landscapes, it is better to contemplate everything with your own eyes. Luxembourg will not disappoint you!
Don't rush to leave! Here are some more interesting articles:
The Austrian Alps - a breathtaking vacation!
St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna - Gothic fairy tale in reality
The name of this prosperous little country sounds like “little castle” in German. Luxembourg was named this way for a reason. This is due to the history of the country, on whose territory until the 10th century there was only a fort. Later, a small state was formed, which for a long time was dependent on larger neighboring countries. Therefore, in Luxembourg you can hear German, French and Luxembourgish speech.
Despite its modest size, Luxembourg is distinguished by many attractions, among which ancient castles occupy a special place. All photos are supplemented with descriptions.
1. Residence of the Grand Duke
This building was built back in 1574 and only in 1890 began to function as the palace of the Grand Duke. The residence of the monarchs is open for inspection from July to August. At this time, the Grand Duke and his family retire to rest.
2. House-Museum of Victor Hugo
The great French novelist loved to visit Vianden. Here he created, fell in love, participated in putting out fires. In the house where the writer stayed and lived in 1935, the Victor Hugo Museum was created.
3. Bourshed Castle
Construction of this castle began in the 10th century. Over the course of a long period, the castle territory was expanded and the castle was rebuilt. As a result, Bourshed gained fame as one of the largest castles in Luxembourg.
4. Vianden Castle
This most beautiful castle in Europe is located high in the Ardennes, and can only be reached using a ski lift. The castle almost turned into a heap of ruins, but in the twentieth century it was restored and Vianden hospitably opened its doors to all visitors.
5. Chapel Saint-Kieren
The Saint-Kieren Chapel was carved into the rock by the famous knights of the Teutonic Order in the 14th century. For many centuries, this place has been a place of pilgrimage and worship of Faith, Hope and Love.
6. Wine Museum
This museum is located in the town of Ennen in the Moselle Valley - the main wine-growing region not only of Luxembourg, but of the whole world. In the wine museum you can see winemaking equipment that was used back in the 13th century.
7. Adolf Bridge
The Adolf Bridge was built in 1903 and named after the then ruler. At the beginning of the twentieth century, this bridge held the palm among all arch bridges in the world.
8. Fort Tüngen
This defensive fortress is named after its commandant, Baron von Thüngen. Built in 1732, the fortress was impregnable. Not many people knew about the 170-meter tunnel through which one could get to Tüngen.
9. Golden Frau
The Golden Frau is rightfully considered the symbol of the capital of Luxembourg. This monument is dedicated to the victims of the First World War.
10. Wine trail
The wine trail starts from the village of Schengen and extends along the Moselle River for 42 km. Along the trail there are famous vineyards, wineries and wine cellars where you can taste different types of wine.
11. Wolf Mouth Canyon
There were once wolves here, but they have long been gone from these places. But the name of the area has been preserved. This nature reserve is also called “little Switzerland” due to its extraordinary beauty and diversity of landscapes.
12. Parc de Ville
It’s hard to believe that an ancient fortress once existed on the site of the modern park. This park is a favorite recreation spot for locals of all ages.
13. Casemates Petrus
This system of underground passages was created in the 17th century. Spaniards. Later, the casemates were improved by the Austrians. During the Second World War, the population hid from the Nazis in the Petrus Casemates.
14. Upper Sur
The creation of this National Park in 1999 pursued many goals: the preservation of the fauna and flora of Luxembourg, the development of tourism and forestry, as well as the ancient architectural complexes of the principality.
.Luxembourg is a fabulous country, a kingdom with its own characteristics. The convenient location between the Moselle and Meuse rivers, picturesque natural landscapes, and ancient architecture attract lovers of hiking and medieval history. The Grand Duchy is a place where the atmosphere of old and new is organically combined. Chic boutiques, restaurants, numerous high-rise buildings of business centers and banks contrast with narrow cobbled streets, bridges, viaducts and castles. The small territory of the country contains enough attractions to keep tourists “busy” both on short day trips and during week-long tours.
Description of the country
Luxembourg is a small independent European state with a preserved monarchy. Luxembourg has always been and remains an influential region of Europe economically and strategically. Today it is a major financial center of international importance.
The flag of Luxembourg is similar to the Dutch one, but differs from it in a lighter shade of the lower stripe
Official full name
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is the official name of the state. The name "Lucilinburhuk" translated from Old German means "small fortress" or "small castle". The name "Luxembourg" appeared during the annexation of the Duchy to France under Louis XIV.
Geographical location, capital
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is located in the center of Western Europe, forming a “triangle” between Germany and France and Belgium. The country's territory consists of two main geographical zones:
- Eslinga in the north;
- Gutland, the eastern part of which is occupied by the Moselle Valley.
The country's area is 2,586 km2. The capital of the Grand Duchy is the city of Luxembourg.
Luxembourg borders Belgium, France and Germany Language
Luxembourg has three official languages:
- German,
- French,
- Luxembourgish.
In government agencies, French is more often used, in business circles German predominates, and in everyday situations they speak Luxembourgish.
Interesting fact: in Luxembourg, all official languages coexist harmoniously thanks to the education system. The Luxembourgish language is used in primary schools, German is taught in secondary schools, and French is taught in the final level of education.
Currency
Since 2002, Luxembourg has had a single European currency - the euro. You can exchange currency in banks and specialized points. It is most profitable to do this at a bank, but you must take into account that they do not work on weekends and holidays.
Note: dollars can be exchanged at a favorable rate in souvenir shops. Of course, this requires making a purchase. Change will be given in euros.
In Luxembourg there are no problems with cashless payments, even in remote parts of the country.
In Luxembourg there are no problems with cashless payments, even in remote parts of the country Religion
The predominant religion in the country is Roman Catholic (97%). There are Protestant and Jewish communities in big cities.
Local time
The entire territory of the state is in the same time zone: UTC+02:00. The difference with Moscow is +2 hours.
The most tourist regions and cities
Despite its small area, tourism in Luxembourg has many faces, and destinations largely depend on the area:
The region of Oesling is a wooded region in the north of Luxembourg that is particularly attractive to travellers. Here is the highest point in the country - Kneiff Hill (560 m). On the slopes of the hills there are picturesque villages, rivers and lakes. The climate in this area is harsher than in other parts of the country. The main cities of the region - Wiltz, Vianden - are famous for their castles.
The northern part of Luxembourg is home to picturesque villages, rivers and lakes The region of Gutland is located in the south and center of the Duchy. Together with the capital, the region occupies most of the country's territory. This area includes the following tourist cities and territories:
- Luxembourg is a beautiful and lively city with a thousand-year history. Churches, bridges, palaces, parks - all these are the main attributes of the Upper City. Beyond the Petrus River, the Lower City begins. There are neighborhoods with modern buildings and industrial structures;
Luxembourg is a beautiful city with a rich history - The Moselle Valley is impressive in size and variety of landscapes. Tourists are attracted by the region's wine-making traditions. The valley is located 40 km north of the village of Schengen, from which the territory of the famous Mosel vineyards begins, where the Riesling, Riwaner, and Traminer varieties grow. In the valley there is a quiet provincial town of Remich;
Luxembourg is famous for its white wines - north of the Moselle Valley is the Müllertal region - "Luxembourg's Little Switzerland" (La Petite Suisse). The territory acquired this name due to its colorful landscape: deep gorges, oddly shaped stones, covered with moss and lichens. The main city, Echternach, is one of the oldest cities in Luxembourg.
In Müllerthal, tourists are impressed by the colorful landscapes
The most famous attractions of Luxembourg
The territory of the duchy contains many architectural, cultural, historical and natural attractions. Both in the center of the country and in remote corners there are interesting places to visit. A significant number of architectural objects are located in the capital of the Duchy:
- Casemates du Bock are a labyrinth of underground corridors that were built by the Spaniards under a cliff in 1644. Over the years, slaughterhouses and bakeries were located here, and during wartime the casemates were used as a bomb shelter. Today these unique buildings are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visiting is possible from April to October. Ticket price: 4 € adults, 2 € children.
The Bock casemates stretched deep into the Le Boc rock under the once existing Luxembourg Fortress for 23 km
The obelisk of Gëlle Fra rises above Place de la Constitution. This monument, known as the "Golden Lady", was built in memory of the Luxembourg volunteers who died in battle during the First World War.
The 21-meter-high Helle Fra obelisk is crowned with a gilded bronze statue of a woman with an elongated laurel wreath.
On Roosevelt Boulevard is the Cathedral Notre-Dame, whose architecture combines 17th-century Gothic style with Renaissance elements added during reconstruction and restoration. The building houses a miraculous statue of the city's patroness - Our Lady. Every year, pilgrims from different parts of the country come to the cathedral to celebrate Easter.
Notre Dame Cathedral contains many sculptures and the crypt-tomb of the Grand Dukes of Luxembourg
The Palace of the Grand Dukes (Palais Grand Ducal) is the official residence of the ruling dynasty. Heads of state visiting Luxembourg stay here and numerous receptions are held. The palace is open to tourists in the summer from July 17 to August. Entrance fee: 7 € for adults, 3.50 € for children.
During the German occupation in World War II, the Grand Ducal Palace was used by the Nazis as a music hall and tavern
The exhibition at the National Museum of History and Art covers the history of Luxembourg from the 13th century to the present. Here you can see archaeological artifacts, ancient coins, maps of fortifications, and paintings by local artists. Entrance fee: 5 € adults, 3 € pensioners, children under 18 years old - free.
The National Museum of History and Art is housed in a purpose-built modernist building
At the Museum of the History of the City of Luxembourg (Musée d’Histoire de la Ville de Luxembourg) you can learn in detail about the history of the city’s development using reconstruction models. There are also temporary exhibitions illustrating the daily life of city residents both in ancient times and in modern times. Entry price: 5 € for adults, 3 € for children.
The Luxembourg City History Museum has a powerful multimedia network with thousands of video and audio documents available
Casino Luxembourg - exhibition space for contemporary art is located in the city center (opposite the Gelle Fras obelisk). The exhibitions occupy two floors. The ground floor houses a library and computers with access to an electronic database. Above are the artists' studios. The repertoire of exhibitions is constantly changing. Free admission.
Once upon a time, the famous Casino Bourgeois was located in the building of the Luxembourg casino
In the Moselle Valley, the following places are popular with tourists:
- St. Martin is the main wine cellar in the city of Remich. On the excursion you can learn a lot of interesting things about the traditions of local winemaking, in particular about the production of sparkling wines. Visiting is possible from April to October. Tour cost: from 4.90 €.
During a tour of the St. Martin cellar you can taste the famous sparkling wine - The Museum of Folklore and Viticulture (MuséeFolklorique et Vincole) attracts tourists to the village of Bech-Kleinmacher (2 km south of Remich). This small stone building, known as A Possen, belonged to local winemakers named Post.
You can immerse yourself in the daily life of a family of winemakers in the 18th and 19th centuries at the Museum of Folklore and Viticulture (MuséeFolklorique et Vincole) - The State Wine Museum (Musée du Vin) is located 15 km south of Remich, in the picturesque village of Henin. Visiting is possible from April to October. At other times - on request.
The Wine Museum (Musée du Vin) displays a large amount of equipment for artisanal wine production. - The village of Schengen is the gateway to Europe. Schengen used to be called the gateway to the Moselle Wine Road. Now the area is associated with an important historical event - the signing of the Schengen agreements on June 14, 1985. The countries participating in the agreement (Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) thus contributed to the gradual elimination of controls at their internal borders. Now there is a monument and a museum.
Commemorative plaques on the Place de la Concorde in the village of Schengen attract tourists: many seek to take photos in this historical place
If your trip is focused on the Müllerthal area, visit the following attractions:
- The city of Echternach is home to the Benedictine Abbey, a large architectural complex of the 18th century. The construction starts from the market square (place du Marché) and stretches almost to the banks of the Sauer. Now there is a city lyceum and abbey museum (Musée de l’Abbaye) with a collection of Roman mosaics, stone fragments of an ancient abbey of the 7th century and medieval manuscripts.
In the Basilica of St. Willibrord (Basilika Iechternach) you can see frescoes from the 14th century - In the city of Vianden there is the famous castle of the same name (Château de Vianden). It was built on the site of a Roman fortification from the 4th century. The oldest part of the castle dates back to the 11th century. It was periodically completed, so the architecture contains elements of the Renaissance and Romanesque style. In the castle you can explore rooms decorated in a medieval spirit, including the Ducal and Banqueting halls. The dungeons where the prisoners were kept are also open to the public. Numerous interactive entertainment programs are held on the territory of the Castle, a visit to which costs 7 € for an adult and 2 € for children. The schedule can be found on the official website.
Vianden Castle and the surrounding area can be photographed from the cable car as you climb the nearby hill - While in Vianden, you can visit the Victor Hugo Literary Museum (Musée Littéraire Victor Hugo). The museum is located in a small house on the river bank. Opposite, on the parapet of the bridge stands a beautiful bust of Victor Hugo. Free admission. The museum exists on membership fees, which are 15 € for adults, 8 € for schoolchildren and students. In the museum and on its official website you can purchase books by Victor Hugo and various souvenirs with the image of the writer.
The 7 rooms of the Victor Hugo House Museum in Vianden recreate the environment in which the French novelist lived and worked. - The ancient castle of Bourscheid (Château de Bourscheid) is located near the village of Bourscheid in the north-eastern part of Luxembourg. The structure stands on a sheer rock ledge overlooking the surrounding farmland and the Sur (Sauer) River. The central part of the castle is the oldest, and the entire complex is surrounded by a wall with round towers (XIV century). Ticket price: 5 € for adults, 4 € for students and pensioners, children under 5 years old - free.
Bourscheid Castle is located on a hill whose height is 380 meters above sea level - To the west of Ashe is Lake Haute-Sûre (Lac de la Haute Sûre) - the main reservoir of the country and the Haute-Sûre Natural Park (Parc Naturel de la Haute Sûre). There are many leisure options for park visitors: walking, visiting cultural monuments, and water sports. On the territory there is a building of a former textile factory, where several weaving looms are preserved in working order. The oldest machine dates back to 1851.
The area of the Haute-Sur National Park is 28,000 hectares
When is the best time to go to Luxembourg?
The tourist season in Luxembourg lasts from April to August. It is during this period that museums and castles are open to the public. In other months, many objects are either completely unavailable to tourists, or a request must be made. When planning your trip, also consider the calendar of events. Many interesting festivals and holidays are held annually in the country:
- On the Tuesday after Trinity Day, a dance procession in honor of St. Willibrord takes place in Echternach. This unique procession is included in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
St. Willibrord's Day is celebrated on the Tuesday after Trinity Day - In the spring (March-April) the Musical Spring festival is held. At this time, musicians from all over the world come to Luxembourg.
- Emeshen - an original folklore and pottery festival takes place on Easter Monday. This is one of the most fun holidays, accompanied by noisy fairs and exhibitions and sales of traditional crafts.
- June 23 is the birthday of the Grand Duke, a magnificent national holiday. The event includes a torchlight procession in front of the Grand Ducal Palace, fireworks and festivities.
- At the beginning of August the Medieval Festival takes place in Vianden .
Processions, festivals, tournaments and street performances take place here.
The medieval festival in Vianden takes place at the beginning of August - At the end of August and beginning of September, it is worth visiting the Schobermesse fair with interesting rides, entertainment and food stalls.
- In August, the capital of the duchy hosts the amusing Schueberführer festival. This is a kind of march of sheep, when shepherds in wide-brimmed hats lead decorated rams right along the central streets to music.
The Sheep March fountain in Luxembourg is dedicated to the national festival - At the end of summer, the wine festival season begins in the Moselle Valley.
- In November-December, the vibrant Winter Lights festival takes place, during which a Christmas market opens on the Place d'Armes in Luxembourg.
Luxembourg cities are beautifully decorated for Christmas
For lovers of gastronomic tourism, you can take advantage of the “Resto Days” promotion, which allows you to try popular dishes at one price both in a cozy little-known cafe and in a restaurant of the “highest guild”. In 2018, “Resto Days” are scheduled for July 7–18. To participate, you must register on the site.
Short-term travel options
For short trips, it is important to determine the desired places and think through the route. At the main tourist office of the capital (place Guillaume II, 30) you can get free maps and brochures with descriptions of attractions, as well as a program of events for the week.
Depending on the travel time, you can choose one of the following travel options:
- In one day's stay it is worth seeing the main attractions of the city of Luxembourg. This option is relevant if the visit is in transit. To save money, purchase one of the tourist discount cards. There are special cards with a one-day validity period. Thus, with Stater Museekart you can visit the main attractions for free: city museums and Bock Casemates.
- Three days in the Duchy provide an opportunity not only to admire ancient buildings and castles, but also to take a “wine journey” through the Moselle Valley.
- Over 5 days of traveling around the country, explore the unique nature by hiking in the Müllerthal region. Spectacular cliffs, valleys with streams and panoramas create an amazing atmosphere. Depending on the chosen route, the path may run past a medieval fortress or past the city of Echternach.
- A week-long tour of Luxembourg is a good opportunity to combine a hiking trip, visiting ancient castles and local restaurants. For history buffs, there are special excursion programs: “The Battle of the Bulge” at the Castle of Clevreux, “Resistance to the Nazi Occupation” (a tour of memorable places in Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg and Wiltz) and others.
Video: walking route around Luxembourg
What to see when traveling with a child
In every corner of Luxembourg you will find a large number of places and activities suitable for visiting with children. The Grand Duchy has an impressive number of indoor and outdoor playgrounds and areas for both relaxing relaxation and exciting adventures.
Those who want to combine a trip with a visit to the zoo can head to Parc Merveilleux in Bettembourg. The picturesque Gaalgebierg Park, located next to large playgrounds and the beautiful municipal park in Esch-sur-Alzette, is also definitely worth a visit with children.
Little travelers of all ages can have a great time exploring the old mines of southern Luxembourg or the underground labyrinths of the Casemates. Those who want to reach the sky will be delighted to try the Vianden chairlift. Many castles and museums offer special activities for children.
More fun activities await children and their parents at Vitarium in Roost, a magical world dedicated to milk. Here you can try 45 interactive zones, 3-D attractions, and take part in culinary master classes.
Video: Pirate ship in a municipal park
Photo gallery: tourist maps
Forests, mostly beech and oak, occupy more than a third of Luxembourg's territory. The picturesque town of Vianden is surrounded by green wooded hills in the valley of the Ur River Luxembourg is located at an altitude of 316 meters above sea level
