Tourist route to attractions online in Luxembourg. The main attractions of Luxembourg. Place d'Armes
Luxembourg– the state is small, compact, and you can get acquainted with all the sights within one day. The main thing is to know what and where to see. Residents of Luxembourg value what they inherited from their ancestors and protect every monument, ensuring that it is in perfect condition.
And not only the monuments are in excellent condition. Walking around the city, you will not see any unkempt lawns or abandoned corners. Everything is in excellent condition! In general, you simply need to visit this country to see with your own eyes the beauty of nature and get acquainted with the most interesting historical monuments.
Tourists who have the opportunity to spend only a few hours in Luxembourg are offered to walk "Walking through the green heart of Europe". This is the name of the tourist route along the street, you will see the main attractions of the city of Luxembourg. Our website also offers you to walk this route, albeit virtually.
The first stop on the way to the main attractions will be the famous stone Adolf Bridge.
Must-sees in Luxembourg
The Adolphe Bridge connects two parts of Luxembourg - the Upper and Lower Towns. This place is considered the most important historical landmark of the capital. It was built back in 1903.
It is noteworthy that the bridge was named after the then-ruling Duke Adolphe of Luxembourg, who personally initiated its construction.
The construction of the bridge was preceded by a quarrel between France and Prussia, as well as the resolution of the dispute over the duchy. The bridge project was created by an outstanding architect named Albert Rodange. A specialist from France provided Albert with all kinds of assistance in construction. Paul Sejournet.
The bridge was 153 meters long, but it was very narrow to accommodate the number of people who used it. In this regard, a verdict was made to widen the famous bridge by 17 meters in order to increase its cross-country ability. Only 2850 cubic meters of sandstone were needed to make the arches, not to mention the rest of the materials!
Today, the magnificent bridge, which was erected over the Pétrusse River, continues to be used by residents and guests of the incomparable Luxembourg. Of course, because it offers a stunning view of the Pétrusse Valley.
Next you need to turn onto Franklin Delano Roosevelt Boulevard, and within a couple of minutes Constitution Square will open up to your eyes. On it is the national symbol of Luxembourg - a monument to those killed in wars.
Golden Frau - in memory of fallen soldiers
This sculpture of a gilded woman, called Golden Frau, is considered a national treasure and is dedicated to the tragically lost people, all those who fell in the Korean War and two World Wars.
Luxembourg took part voluntarily in all wars. Due to the small population, all losses were very painful in the hearts of citizens. After all, the number of people in the state is only 250,000.
The height of the monument is 21 m. At the foot of the pedestal, on which the sculpture rises, there are two bronze male figures. The men represent two warriors: the deceased and the mourner. Above the figures, holding a crown, stands the Golden Frau.
Society still does not know who became the prototypes of the depicted heroes, but the church reacted very sharply to the sculpture of the woman because of her nudity. The light cape on her body emphasizes all the curves of her body. In 1940, they decided to get rid of the monument, but students demonstrated against its demolition. Shortly after these events, the sculpture disappeared. She was found only a few years later by two officers at the city stadium. The Golden Frau was restored and installed back.
The monument to this day is a symbol of the invincibility of the spirit of this small country.
Nearby there is another monument – this time an architectural one. It's about Gothic Notre Dame Church.
Notre Dame
This elegant building, whose appearance echoes the features of three styles - classicism, gothic and renaissance, was built in 1621. Most tourists rush to this temple in order to see the tomb of members of the royal family (John the Blind rests in sarcophagi inside the cathedral), but this is not the main attraction of the ancient temple.
While visiting the cathedral, you can see the statue of the Virgin Mary Comforter of the Offended, a saint whom locals consider the patroness of the city and country. She is considered miraculous, and there is always a line of pilgrims to see her.
From an artistic point of view, the cathedral is also of interest: on one of its walls there is a painting by the great Rubens. "Adoration of the Magi".
Passing by an equestrian statue Grand Duke of Luxembourg, we are heading to the building where one of the richest monarchs on the planet lives today.
The Luxembourg Grand Ducal Palace is today the official residence of the Duke and his family.
The main part of the palace was built towards the end of the 16th century. An architect worked on this part, the left wing of the building Adam Roberti. In 1817, the palace became the residence of the Governor, the official envoy of the Grand Duke of the Netherlands. Since 1890, the building begins to function as a palace. This happened immediately as soon as the dynasty Nassau ascended the throne of Luxembourg.
The reconstruction and construction of a new wing with guest rooms significantly changed the appearance of the palace. Today the facade is decorated with Moorish-Spanish patterns, and the top of the palace is decorated with the flag of the ducal dynasty
These days, the Grand Ducal Palace is the main residence of the Duke.
The palace welcomes delegations from all over the world and holds parliamentary gatherings. On Christmas night, the Duke's address to the residents of the state is broadcast from the Yellow Hall. Sometimes the palace is open to tourists (July and August).
The palace is surrounded by ceremonial guards who stand guard around the clock.
It's time to explore perhaps the most attractive place for tourists in Luxembourg - the casemates.
Casemates Pétrusse
Casemates Pétrusse- a real asset of Luxembourg, which show the strength and power of this small power. Despite the fact that the famous underground passage system was dug in 1644, it has survived to this day.
Since at that time the modern territory of Luxembourg belonged to Spain, it was the Spaniards who built Pétrusse casemates, which many years later served as a shelter for more than 35 thousand people during the difficult period of World War II.
The underground passage system itself consists of various underground passages, corridors and stairs. The structure was transformed several times, as a result of which the depth of the underground structure reached forty meters. The length also reached the same mark.
At the moment the depth is only 23 meters. During the period of their existence, the casemates performed a defensive function, and only since 1990 they officially became a great heritage and object of excursions. Since 1994, UNESCO has taken under the protection of this defensive system.
It is known that previously there was a ducal palace above the casemates, but, unfortunately, contemporaries received only ruins. The “windows” that were pierced in the rocks to mount artillery guns are not inactive today: through them a beautiful view of the valley of the Petrusse River opens up.
And in this one, read about the main attractions of the German Frankfurt am Main.
Fort Thüngen
The citadel was founded in 1732, and Baron von Tüngen became the first commander of the fort. The fort was named in memory of him.
Over the course of 135 years of its history, the entire defensive complex was rebuilt and enlarged many times. The fort was surrounded by defensive ditches filled with water, and a stone corridor 170 meters long served as a connection with the world for everyone who lived in the fortress.
This tunnel led to the fortress Obergrunwald. The impregnable citadel ended its existence in 1867. Then, fulfilling the terms of the London Treaty on non-intervention in military conflicts, in light of the city's complete refusal to subordinate its economy and politics to military interests, Fort Thüngen was destroyed.
Only fragments of the fort's foundation and three towers located above the slope along the edge of the stone platform survived. These towers, which have an unusual roof shape, are called "Three Acorns".
Now on the site of the Tüngen fortress there are two operating museums: modern art and Fortress Museum.
It is impossible to get lost in this miniature city. If you still doubt that you can quickly find the attraction that interests you, pick up a city map at the station or buy it at any bookstore.
Photos of Luxembourg attractions
We offer you a small selection of photos of Luxembourg attractions with descriptions.
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a small state in western Europe. A high level of safety, a pleasant temperate climate, many attractions for every taste, original local cuisine and comfortable hotels - all this can be provided to its guests by Luxembourg.
The ancient quarters of the capital, as well as the ancient castles of the state, such as Vianden, Larochette and Beaufort will appeal to lovers of antiquity. Luxembourg Switzerland and the Haute-Sur National Park offer tourists an active holiday while admiring the amazing natural beauty.
For tourists who prefer organized excursions, it will be interesting to visit historical or art museums. Tours to the Mosel Valley will reveal the secret of the production of world famous wines.
It is also definitely worth trying the national cuisine, the most original dish of which is considered to be roast hare. Something delicious is usually brought as a souvenir from Luxembourg - sweets, Ardennes ham, chocolate or locally produced wine.
The best hotels and inns at affordable prices.
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What to see in Luxembourg?
The most interesting and beautiful places, photographs and brief descriptions.
The Alzette River divides Luxembourg into the Upper and Lower Towns. Ancient quarters and fortifications, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, are located in Haute-Luxembourg. Here you can climb the wall of one of the fortifications, or visit the Bok casemates, which are well preserved and open to tourists.
A popular and lively place in Luxembourg, Place Guillaume II is located on the site of a Franciscan monastery that was destroyed in 1829. In the center of the square, Duke Guillaume II is immortalized on horseback. On weekends there is a market on the square, and on holidays there is a stage for performances.
The main active residence of the Luxembourg Grand Dukes is the Colmar-Berg Castle. This building was the residence of the ruling governors back in the 19th century, but at the end of World War II, the castle had to be restored. Since 1964, the Berg Residence has again become home to the Grand Duke of Luxembourg.
The Moselle River is one of the main rivers in Luxembourg, and its valley is a wine-growing region. World famous wines and liqueurs are produced here. Also in the Moselle River Valley there is a popular tourist route called the Wine Trail, along which you can visit distilleries, wine cellars and tasting rooms.
In the very center of Haute-Luxembourg, on the Place de la Constitution, there is the famous military monument “Golden Lady”, 21 meters high. This structure was erected in 1923 to honor the memory of those brave city residents who volunteered for the Luxembourg armed forces during the First World War.
One of the most beautiful European buildings, Vianden Castle, is located in the picturesque town of the same name. At one time, the city was visited by Victor Hugo and Elizabeth II. The local castle was built between the 11th and 14th centuries, and has experienced many destructions over its long history. In 1977, Vianden Castle was finally restored and opened to tourists.
The most visited place in Luxembourg is the Merveilleux amusement park. It is located near Bettambourg and is open to the public from April to October. There are many children's entertainment attractions and a small zoo. Merveille also hosts various fairy tale performances.
Although Mamer Castle was built back in the 10th century, even today this building is useful. The administrative authorities of the commune of Mamer are located here. The castle is located in the very center of the city on Independence Square and includes four buildings that make up a single architectural ensemble.
In the southwestern part of the city of Luxembourg there is a public transport museum, the first exhibits of which began to be collected back in the 60s. Today the collection consists of restored tram cars, a replica of a horse-drawn carriage and two buses. Samples of service uniforms, travel tickets, documents and photographs are also displayed here.
A small area in the east of the country got its name due to the similarity of the local landscape to the Swiss mountains. The rocks of Luxembourg Switzerland were created from sandstone back in the Ice Age. This area is home to several picturesque rivers and is also home to Luxembourg's oldest city, Echternach.
One of the most elegant bridges in the country, as well as the national symbol of Luxembourg. This structure, the first stone of which was laid in 1900 by Grand Duke Adolf himself, connects the Upper and Lower cities. In the evenings, the arches of the Adolphe Bridge are decorated with illuminations.
The small town of Larochette is surrounded by rocky slopes, on one of which is an ancient castle from the 11th century. Since the 13th century, a large family of von Fels, standard bearers of Luxembourg, lived here. In 1565, the Larochette castle burned down in a big fire and no one lived in it for a long time. After restoration work, the castle was opened to tourists.
The main church of the capital, the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Luxembourg, is located in the southern part of the city. The building was built in the 17th century as a Jesuit church, but a century later the cathedral was transferred to the Luxembourg parish. Externally, the church is made in the Gothic style, and the interior decoration has Renaissance features. The miraculous wooden image of the Mother of God with the baby Jesus in her arms is kept here.
In the town of Walferdange there is a castle of the same name, built in 1824. Grand Duke William I built it as a stud farm for breeding horses, and his son William II turned the structure into a royal residence. Now the castle houses one of the campuses of the University of Luxembourg. In addition to the castle in Walferdange, you can see a Roman villa and an underground conduit.
The Three Acorns fortress is located in the park of the same name in the south-eastern part of the city. Once upon a time, the towers of this fortress were part of a powerful fort built in 1732 to defend the city. In 1867, the fortress was completely destroyed. After restoration, the Tüngen Museum is located within the walls of the fortress, dedicated to the history of this building.
Created in 1999, the Haute-Sur National Park is located northwest of Essling. Plants and animals are protected here, and the cleanliness of the water in the local lake and reservoir is monitored. In Haute-Sur you can engage in water sports, explore local architectural monuments, and stay in comfortable houses for several days.
The tunnels and chambers that make up the Bock casemates, built in the 17th century, are under UNESCO protection. They are located in the very center of Luxembourg, in the thickness of the Le Boc rock under the now destroyed Luxembourg Fortress. A tour of the casemates includes a visit to the archaeological crypt, where the most interesting local finds are exhibited.
The small town of Mondorf-les-Bains, located in the southeast of Luxembourg, has been famous for its thermal springs since the beginning of the 19th century. The mild local climate and healing mineral springs, the temperature of which always remains within 25 degrees, attract many tourists from all over the world. Various diseases of internal organs, as well as rheumatism, are treated here.
19. Palace of the Grand Dukes
The building of the Palace of the Grand Dukes was built in the 16th century, when a large explosion of a gunpowder warehouse destroyed almost the entire Upper City. Initially, the palace was used for administrative purposes, and in 1890, Grand Duke Adolf declared this building his residence. Today the palace is used as a study for official receptions and audiences.
Beaufort Castle is located in the town of the same name in the east of the country. In the 11th century, on the site of the current castle there was a simple defensive fortress, which later turned into a powerful fortification. Today, the Beaufort prison with its equipped torture chamber is offered for inspection, as well as the Main Tower of the castle, which offers an excellent view of the city.
The most ancient city of Luxembourg is famous for its abbey, founded by the Benedictine Willibrord in the 7th century. The retreating Germans in 1944 destroyed the entire monastery complex, after which it was rebuilt. Echternach Abbey is known throughout the world for its annual dance procession.
Luxembourg's largest castle overlooks the Sur River near Ettelbruck. The first mentions of the castle date back to the 10th century. Subsequently, the building was rebuilt more than once, and at the beginning of the 19th century, due to the death of the owner, the castle began to collapse. In 1936, Bourscheid was recognized as state property, and after reconstruction, which began in 1972, the castle was opened to tourists.
The butterfly garden was first opened in 1989. Located in Grevenmacher, the wine region of Luxembourg, this garden covers an area of more than 600 m2 and attracts many tourists from all over the world every year. In addition to butterflies, of which there are more than 50 species, in the garden you can see chameleons, bees and turtles. The garden is open to the public from April to October.
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 such portraits 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 will 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 Boka dungeons 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 balcony street.
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” is translated 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 landmark 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 presented 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!
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All All Architecture Places for walking Religion
- What do many of us know about Luxembourg? That this is a tiny country with a capital of the same name, which is lost in the “patchwork quilt” of Europe. From one German dialect, Luxembourg means “small city”. In principle, this is how it is. Although the residents themselves call it a grand duchy. However, the miniature size of the country does not at all prevent it from being one of the richest in Europe with the highest standard of living, and in terms of income, it ranks 4th in the world.
Although Luxembourg has a large number of attractions, its territory can easily be covered on foot. The state is included in the Benelux union (together with Belgium and the Netherlands), therefore, as a rule, tourists visit the duchy as part of a tour of the allied states.
Here's how to create a route to the main attractions of the Grand Duchy. It would be logical to start your acquaintance with Luxembourg from the capital. It is small in size, and half the country's population lives here.
Luxembourg route
The face of the capital is the Grand Ducal Palace, built in the Spanish Revival style. The history of this building is rich, and not all of its values have been preserved; today it has the status of the home of the head of state and is the venue for official ceremonies, political conferences and audiences. Notre Dame Cathedral or Notre Dame Cathedral of Luxembourg impresses with its Gothic sublimity, this is the place of annual honoring of the Holy Virgin of Luxembourg, within the walls of which there are many shrines.
Next after the capital in terms of attractiveness is the town of Clervaux, located on the banks of the Clerf River. And if there are places that are ideal for filming films from the Middle Ages, then this is it. The architecture is impressive and takes you five hundred years into the past.
If you want to see the places that inspired Victor Hugo, then head to the city of Vianden - it is truly one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities. By the way, now there is a museum dedicated to the great French writer.
The oldest city in the country is Echternach, which is more than a thousand years old. It can be called an open-air museum, in which everything has remained practically untouched since those time immemorial.
Luxembourg Switzerland. Yes, it even has its own Switzerland. How it fit here is beyond comprehension, but the nature of these places really resembles a real land of watches and cheese. Another attraction of Luxembourg is the casemates - a system of fortifications, labyrinths and underground passages up to 40 meters deep, for which the country became famous and thanks to which, perhaps, it still retained its independence.
In general, Luxembourg is a whole collection of ancient castles, abbeys, fortresses and monasteries, caves, chapels, sculptures and ruins of ancient Roman buildings. It seems that this country has remained in a different era, despite the high modern standard of living. There are a huge number of different thematic museums in the capital and on the territory of the principality. They contain cultural and historical objects that were saved after numerous wars in these lands.
Walks around the country
Luxembourg is highlighted as one of the best countries for hiking. The territory is literally riddled with narrow paths: forest, mountain and along rivers - very well-equipped and picturesque, which form many routes. It’s quite difficult to get lost here: at almost every step there are various signs that are printed on special maps, and they can be purchased at any bookstore.
And don’t think that ordinary walks are too boring: the residents have arranged every corner of their miniature cozy country, and the beauty of its surroundings is beyond description.
Children's holiday
Children's recreation is well organized in Luxembourg; almost every town has its own amusement park for children: Wonderland Park in Betembourg, a park in Mondorf-les-Bains, and the tourist center Galdenberg in Esch-Alzette. You can also go to the cinema, but films are usually in English with French subtitles, so they are not suitable for everyone.
Gastronomic attractions
Another pride is Luxembourg wines. They are not as widespread as those from other countries like Chile or Spain, but they are definitely worth a try. Better yet, go on a wine excursion: visit the famous vineyards in the Moselle Valley, cellars, restaurants and factories that produce various types of wines according to unique ancient recipes.
In Luxembourg there is a small town of Mondorf with a population of about 4 thousand people, which is a world famous resort. The reason is the mild climate and healing mineral springs with a water temperature of 25 degrees, which is used in all possible ways and treats many diseases.
Of course, what traveler can do without visiting a cafe or restaurant? The national cuisine of Luxembourg has the motto “French quality in German quantity” and is served in an atmosphere imbued with a medieval spirit. Those who want to party will also find places and company here, but nightlife is mainly represented in the capital.
It would take a very long time to list the sights of Luxembourg: monuments, cathedrals and fortresses are located at every step, and it seems that you can study the history of this country endlessly.
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Palace of the Grand Dukes in Luxembourg
Luxembourg City, Rue du marche-aux-Herbes, 15
The Palace of the Grand Dukes in Luxembourg did not immediately begin to fulfill the honorable mission of the residence of local monarchs. Until this time, or to be more precise, until 1890, the building managed to serve as both the town hall and the residence of the French administration
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Casemates Bock
Luxembourg City, Montee de Clausen, 10
In Luxembourg, despite the huge number of pompous palaces, one of the main attractions since 1933 has been and remains the Bock casemates. Even if you came to the capital of a dwarf state for only half a day and with you a man from 5 to 85 years old, this is a must-visit place.
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Pont Adolphe in Luxembourg
Luxembourg City, Uewerstad
Perhaps the most elegant national symbol that can be found among European countries is the Luxembourg Adolphe Bridge. It is this that can be seen in all sorts of miniature parks scattered around the world, where St. Basil's Cathedral stands for Russia, and the Eiffel Tower stands for Paris.