About 2-3 hours from Brussels by train is Luxembourg City, the capital of the tiny grand duchy of Luxembourg. Although it is often overlooked by tourists, Luxembourg plays an important role in the global economy and is known as the world centre of international finance. Although I would have liked to have explored the small historic towns in the northern part of the country (forests, valleys and hilltop castles!), I only had enough time to visit the capital. I stayed one night and left the next day at 1:30, so not a lot of time! Fortunately, you can explore most of the sites in half a day.
On a ridge surrounded on three sides by the River Alzette are the ruins of a castle built in 963 AD, which was mostly destroyed by the city's own citizens in the 19th century as part of the Treaty of London. What remains are the Bock Casemates, a huge network of underground tunnels and galleries, with windows in the side of the cliffs for cannons that would have protected the city below.
One of the features that makes this city so beautiful are the incredible valleys that criss-cross the city.
One of the most interesting things I learned about Luxembourg was that although they score very well on quality of life rankings, only about half of high school students graduate. This is partly because of the requirement that they are proficient in French, German and Luxembourgish (a mix of French and German). They start primary school learning Luxembourgish, then switch to German, then French, but to graduate they have to have a good knowledge of all three. This is particularly challenging for the 37% of the population that are immigrants. The largest immigrant group are the Portuguese, which make up about 10% of the population. Each of the national languages is used in a particular area: Luxembourgish is spoken between Luxembourgers (it is rarely written), French is used in business and in writing (street signs and store signs are mainly in French as well) and German is used in the media and in the Church. English is also taught in school.
On a ridge surrounded on three sides by the River Alzette are the ruins of a castle built in 963 AD, which was mostly destroyed by the city's own citizens in the 19th century as part of the Treaty of London. What remains are the Bock Casemates, a huge network of underground tunnels and galleries, with windows in the side of the cliffs for cannons that would have protected the city below.
One of the few remaining defensive towers from he old castle. A foggy morning in Luxembourg.
Part of the defensive galleries in the Bock Casemates.
Tunnels in the Casemates.
The Casemates were built into the cliffs overlooking the River Alzette.
View from the Casemates. In the distance is the new financial district.
Beautiful gardens at the base of the Casemates. The spire belongs to the Abbaye Neumünster. Traditionally, the Upper Town on top of the hill was the wealthier quarter, while the poorer people lived down in the valley.
The abbey, and the River Alzette.
The abbey.
Beautiful house on the way down the hill to the Lower Town.
Houses built into the hill. Fortunately there is a free public elevator to get you from the Lower Town to the Upper town on top of the cliffs.
The Upper Town.
At the heart of the Upper Town is the Grand Ducal Palace. This palace, built in the 16th century, is straight out of a fairytale! I particularly loved the textured facade - there are 3-D designs engraved into the walls, a relief also seen in the majestic Cathédrale Notre-Dame, which was built around the same time.
The Grand Ducal Palace.
Place d'Armes.
One of the features that makes this city so beautiful are the incredible valleys that criss-cross the city.
Great view of the River Alzette, the Cathedral is just out of view on the left.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame (right), the National Library (left)
The National Library (Bibliothéque Nationale).
Inside the Cathédrale. The motif carved into the columns is the same as on the outside of the Royal Palace.
One of the most interesting things I learned about Luxembourg was that although they score very well on quality of life rankings, only about half of high school students graduate. This is partly because of the requirement that they are proficient in French, German and Luxembourgish (a mix of French and German). They start primary school learning Luxembourgish, then switch to German, then French, but to graduate they have to have a good knowledge of all three. This is particularly challenging for the 37% of the population that are immigrants. The largest immigrant group are the Portuguese, which make up about 10% of the population. Each of the national languages is used in a particular area: Luxembourgish is spoken between Luxembourgers (it is rarely written), French is used in business and in writing (street signs and store signs are mainly in French as well) and German is used in the media and in the Church. English is also taught in school.
One of the more common architectural embellishments are metal ornaments on outside walls, like the ones on the building above. Usually they are in an "S" shape.
I really enjoyed my visit to Luxembourg, and would definitely like to have time to explore more of the country. The city felt pretty laid back, with very few tourists.
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