Do not miss the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg! This very small state in the heart of Europe impresses with breathtaking views and a touch of medieval flair. Visit Luxembourg, the capital, but also the European Capital of Culture in 2007. Discover museums, architecture and culture as far as the eye can see. Admire the Grand Ducal Palace, the Petrus Valley, the Bockfelsen, the casemates, the Adolphe Bridge, the Spanish Towers, the Corniche, the Holy Spirit Citadel, the Luxembourg Fortress and other sights that you will remember. You can also experience the panoramic landscape of the Moselle valley with its steep vineyards. A round trip through Luxembourg will be worthwhile!
Luxembourg old town and fortress
The lively and modern capital of Luxembourg is the cultural heart of the country: theaters, event halls and museums all over the city attract tourists and artists of all styles every year. People of more than 170 different nationalities live in the capital of the country Luxembourg. It is they who give the big city its very special charisma: multilingual, multicultural, diverse and creative. The traces of the past mix here with today’s time, which is in constant motion. This extraordinary combination is one of the components that defines the personality of this city: a meeting place for different cultures with an eventful historical past.
A stroll through Luxembourg’s old town
Visitors can easily explore the winding streets of the picturesque old town of Luxembourg on foot and admire the wonderful landscape, the imposing buildings, historic houses and idyllic squares. Luxembourg’s beautiful old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994 and its surroundings have exciting museums such as the National Museum of Art and History and numerous architectural highlights such as St. Michael’s Church with its huge organ. Luxembourg tourists should definitely visit the center of the idyllic old town, the historic fish market.
Luxembourg’s past as a fortress city
Due to its strategically favorable location, the fortress of Luxembourg was one of Europe’s most important fortifications from the 16th century to 1867. The fortress was changed and strengthened by successive European great powers and at that time extended over a total area of 180 hectares. In the capital Luxembourg, the remains of this former fortress can still be seen in many places. Following the Treaty of London, which the major European powers signed in 1867, the military fortifications were destroyed. Only about a tenth of the previous fortress remained. The remains of the fortress, d. H. Bastions, forts and casemates – as well as the historically fascinating old town are known far beyond the borders of the country.
Larochette Castle
a historical jewel in Luxembourg
The ruins of Larochette Castle (Burg Fels) are well worth seeing and are located north of Luxembourg City in the Mullerthal region. The impressive remains of the castle are located on a ledge of the Luxembourg sandstone, at a height of 150 meters above the valley of the White Ernz. A visit to the castle is a must for every traveler to Luxembourg. Larochette Castle is one of the most important sights in Luxembourg.
History of Larochette Castle
The Lords of Fels were first mentioned in the 12th century. It was they who had the castle built and then inhabited it. Due to the powerful position of the castle, a total of 5 noble families lived in it at the end of the 14th century. At the end of the 16th century, an overpowering fire ruined most of the venerable castle. Since then, only the ruins of this once spectacular structure can be visited.
Reconstruction by the state
After the acquisition of the palace by the State of Luxembourg towards the end of the 1970s, extensive restoration work began on Larochett Palace, including the restoration of masterpieces of Luxembourg architecture, such as the Kriechinger House or the Homburg House. Thanks to the extensive restoration, a visit to Fels Castle has now become even more worthwhile for travelers.
As in the past, visitors can now access the main castle via the outer bailey and the curtain wall. Not only the restored buildings, but also the ruins themselves reveal what a splendid building Fels Castle must have been in its time. During the summer months, informative tours are offered to tourists at regular intervals, which allow an even deeper insight into the history and secrets of the castle
Grand Ducal Palace
The Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg is a historical ensemble of buildings on a rocky plateau in the heart of the city, which has been used as the city palace of the ducal family since the end of the 19th century. The central building of the complex is the old town hall, built in 1575 in the Renaissance style, with the characteristic oriel turrets. Before that, the castle Lucilinburhuc stood here. The historic Stadtwaage and the Grand Ducal Guard are other striking buildings of the “Groussherzogleche” palace. This is how the palace is called in Letzeburgisch, the Moselle-Franconian dialect of the Luxembourgers.
Impressive floral ornaments and magnificent halls
In addition to the many different and colorfully designed chimneys, the flower ornaments on the facade are particularly striking. Here visitors discover the flowers of numerous medicinal and useful plants. Because in the immediate vicinity vegetables, fruit and medicinal herbs were traded at the herb market. Potato, lilac and peony blossoms, for example, are clearly recognizable. During guided tours, monumental paintings and artistic ceiling and wall coverings as well as stucco elements can be admired inside. Outstanding rooms are the balance and king rooms on the ground floor of the Palais Grand Ducal Luxembourg. The ballroom on the first floor is also worth seeing. The Luxembourg heads of state or EU representatives still hold official business and international state receptions in the Grand Ducal Palace.
Echternach
where the middle ages live
Visiting the small town of Echternach in the Luxembourg Mullerthal is like walking through history. After all, Echternach is the oldest city in Luxembourg. Every step of the way in the municipality of 5,600 inhabitants, you encounter the medieval ambience that Echternach has retained for centuries. The place on the small river Sauer, on the border with Germany, is the most important center of tourism in the Grand Duchy in the southern Eifel.
A jewel of Luxembourg’s Switzerland
Echternach has given itself a name: the jewel of Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland. The city is surrounded by a wooded landscape with karst rocks and some waterfalls. An Irish monk named Willibrod settled here in 698 and founded a Benedictine abbey. The Willibrordus Basilica became a place of pilgrimage early on, but the place only developed into a cultural center of the region in the time of the Carolingians and thanks to the rulers Pippin and Charlemagne.
Towers, gates and a basilica
The medieval center of Echternach was enclosed by a curtain wall with towers and gates, some of which survived the turmoil of the centuries or were restored. In addition to the mighty basilica, the former court of justice is one of the city’s attractions. It had its roots in the 14th century, burned out several times and today presents itself with a façade that is well worth seeing and a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance styles. A stone sculpture with Celtic elements on the Peter and Paul Church serves as a testimony to the 1,300-year-old history of Echternach.
The Echternach jumping procession
Religious traditions are also reflected in the so-called “Echternach jumping procession”, which is held on the Tuesday after Whitsun and is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. According to legend, the procession goes back to Saint Willibrord and a violinist named Veit. This “St. Vitus Dance” does indeed involve jumping. Two steps to the right and two steps to the left. The procession in Echternach’s streets lasts several hours.
In summer Echternach becomes the musical center of Luxembourg. An international classical music festival takes place in May and June and a jazz festival in September.
Travel to beautiful cities in Luxembourg
Here you will find study trips and round trips through the metropolises of Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Visit Luxembourg, the capital and at the same time the largest city of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Take a study tour through Luxembourg and visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Grand Ducal Palace, the Petruss Valley, the Gelle Fra monument, the Parade Square, St. Michael’s Church, the Place de Metz, the Place d`Armes, the town hall, the Heilig-Geist-Plateau and other sights such as the tomb of the Captain von Köpenick or the Museum of Modern Art. Get to know a new world by booking a tour of Luxembourg.
