Luxembourg, Gibraltar of the north

Monday, 13 December 2010 - 04:44 am (CET/MEZ) Berlin | Author/Destination:
Category/Kategorie: General, European Union, European Capital of Culture
Reading Time:  6 minutes

Luxembourg Fortress from Adolphe Bridge © Cayambe

Luxembourg Fortress from Adolphe Bridge © Cayambe

Whilst the Luxembourg fortress was a true textbook example of European military architecture, it has changed hands many times over its existence. Italian, Spanish, Belgian, French, Austrian, Dutch and Prussian engineers have been involved in progressively extending the fortifications of this stronghold. Traces of their work remain, and what traces! Since 1994, the fortifications and the old city have been classed as a UNESCO world heritage site.

An extraordinary network of 23km of underground galleries, the famous casemates, which were carved from the city’s rocks constitute the city’s main attraction. The corridors were created on different levels, ranging down to 40 meters in depth. Because of these fortifications Luxembourg is also known as “Gibraltar of the North”. Parts of the casemates still exists today. Some houses have direct access to the casemates in the basements.

The Grand-Duke’s residence, the Grand-Ducal palace, has an exceptionally beautiful facade in Flemish Rennaissance style (16th century), and a majestic interior and ceremonial rooms open to the public during the summer only. In the Notre-Dame Cathedral, 17th century rood screen contrasts with the 20th century windows.

The medieval houses in the outlying areas harmoniously blend with the avant-garde architecture of the Kirchberg plateau, the European institution area.

European Court of Justice © Anders Gardebring

European Court of Justice © Anders Gardebring

European capital
Luxembourg has always held a privileged position in the process of European integration. Since the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1952, several European institutions have set up in the capital. The birthplace of one of the fathers of Europe, Robert Schuman, Luxembourg has the vocation of playing the role of one of the European capitals not only due to its geographical situation right in the heart of Europe, but also due to its multilingualism. Cosmopolitan and welcoming, with a population made up of almost 150 different nationalities, the city is a real economic, social and cultural melting-pot.

Juggler Statue © E.peiffer@gmx.net

Juggler Statue © E.peiffer@gmx.net

Thriving cultural center
In Luxembourg, the museums appear in ceremonial garb. The Luxembourg City History Museum retraces the high points of the over one thousand years of history of a European city with human dimensions whilst the National Museum of History and Art hosts one of the most beautiful Roman mosaics north of the Alps. The permanent and temporary exhibitions of the National Museum of Natural History “natur musée” fascinate adults anc children whilst modern art-lovers should head to the Casino Luxembourg – Forum of Contemporary Art.

Musée de la Forteresse - Fort Thüngen © Jean-Noël Lafargue

Musée de la Forteresse – Fort Thüngen © Jean-Noël Lafargue

The Museum of Modern Art Grand-Duc Jean MUDAM is one of the most ambitious architectural and cultural projects ever undertaken in the Grand Duchy. The Chinese American architect Ieoh Ming Pei came up with, designed then transformed the Thüngen fort, a highly strategic military location at the time in a strategic location for artistic creation. Close to the MUDAM is the Philharmonie, another architectural gem on the Kirchberg plateau which hosts some of the most prestigious musical groups.

The city’s “Grand Théâtre” hosts and coproduces operas, musical, dance shows and plays in French, German and English. Throughout the seasons, the city of Luxembourg offers a range of colourful concerts and festicals, from “Printemps musical” (music in the springtime), via the festival for unity “Summer in the City” and the Indian summer “Live at Vauban” to “Winterlights”, whilst “Schueberfouer”, one of the biggest funfairs in Europe attracts over 2 million visitors every year.

Place d'Armes © Wolfgang Stuck

Place d’Armes © Wolfgang Stuck

The art of living
There are plenty of opportunities to celebrate in Luxembourg, which are always enhanced by culinary art. The many restaurants offer refined cuisine and excellent service. The vast green spaces in the Pétrusse Valley, the public parks and thepicturesque banks of the Alzette are the ideal setting for relaxation whilst the pedestrian area is a true shopping thoroughfare which includes a wide choice of boutiques and high street shops.

To inform you about latest news most of the city, town or tourism websites offer a newsletter service and/or operate Facepage pages/Twitter accounts. Read more on City of Luxembourg, VisitLuxembourg.com, Luxembourg City Tourism, Wikivoyage Luxembourg and Wikipedia Luxembourg. Learn more about the use of photos.




Recommended posts:

Share this post: (Please note data protection regulations before using buttons)

Research vessel RRS Sir David Attenborough

Research vessel RRS Sir David Attenborough

[caption id="attachment_240808" align="aligncenter" width="590"] RRS Sir David Attenborough at Liverpool Cruise Terminal © Rodhullandemu/cc-by-sa-4.0[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]RRS Sir David Attenborough is a research vessel owned by ...

[ read more ]

Arby’s

Arby’s

[caption id="attachment_244091" align="aligncenter" width="590"] © flickr.com - Mike Mozart/cc-by-2.0[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]Arby's is an American fast food sandwich restaurant chain with more than 3,300 restaurants. The flagship ...

[ read more ]

Martha’s Vineyard on the Atlantic

Martha’s Vineyard on the Atlantic

[caption id="attachment_27934" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Dock on Martha's Vineyard © flickr.com - m01229/cc-by-2.0[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]Martha's Vineyard is an island located south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, known for ...

[ read more ]

Bethlehem in Pennsylvania

Bethlehem in Pennsylvania

[caption id="attachment_185709" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Main Street © Tim Kiser/cc-by-sa-2.5[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]Bethlehem is a city in Lehigh and Northampton counties in the Lehigh Valley region of the eastern portion...

[ read more ]

Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds

Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds

[caption id="attachment_235287" align="aligncenter" width="590"] High Street © geograph.org.uk - John H Darch/cc-by-sa-2.0[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]Chipping Campden is a market town in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, Engla...

[ read more ]

Antakya in Turkey

Antakya in Turkey

[caption id="attachment_220849" align="aligncenter" width="590"] © flickr.com - maarten sepp2011/cc-by-sa-2.0[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]Antakya, historically known as Antioch, is the capital of Hatay Province, the southernmost provin...

[ read more ]

Theme Week Greenland - Qeqertarsuaq

Theme Week Greenland - Qeqertarsuaq

[caption id="attachment_229779" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Waiting for winter © flickr.com - Göran Ingman/cc-by-2.0[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]Qeqertarsuaq is a port and town in Qeqertalik municipality, located on the south coa...

[ read more ]

Guilin in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China

Guilin in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China

[caption id="attachment_223679" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Guilin © Jakub Halun/cc-by-sa-3.0[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]Guilin is a prefecture-level city in the northeast of China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It is situat...

[ read more ]

Wawel, former seat of the Polish monarchy

Wawel, former seat of the Polish monarchy

[caption id="attachment_24919" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Wawel from the Vistula river © Sharx/cc-by-sa-2.5[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]Wawel is a fortified architectural complex erected over many centuries atop a limestone outcr...

[ read more ]

Theme Week Emilia-Romagna - Ravenna

Theme Week Emilia-Romagna - Ravenna

[caption id="attachment_152601" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Garibaldi statue © flickr.com - currybet[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]Ravenna is the capital city of the Province of Ravenna. It was the capital city of the Western Roman ...

[ read more ]

The United States: Bon voyage!

The United States: Bon voyage!

[caption id="attachment_169489" align="aligncenter" width="590"] © Lipton sale/cc-by-sa-3.0[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]Tourism in the United States is a large industry that serves millions of international and domestic tourists yearly...

[ read more ]

Damascus, capital of Syria

Damascus, capital of Syria

[caption id="attachment_26726" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Saladin mouselum tomb © flickr.com - Jan Smith/cc-by-2.0[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]Damascus is the capital and largest city of Syria. Aleppo comes in second. It is commo...

[ read more ]

Return to TopReturn to Top