Attractions
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The mighty fortress started by Count Siegfried atop
the Rock of Bock in 963 eventually became a citadel with three
girdles of battlements, the inner one fortified with bastions, and
the other two containing a total of 24 forts along their length. As
the centuries passed the stone cliff foundations underneath the
castle were excavated to form a network of 14 miles (23km) of
underground tunnels, called casemates, where thousands of soldiers
could shelter and workshops for artillery and arms, kitchens,
bakeries and slaughter-houses could be housed. The fortress saw
many sieges and battles, until 1867 when the Treaty of London
declared that it be demolished. Despite this, several sections of
the fortress still remain, and the subterranean casements are open
for viewing. Visitors can also enjoy a sound and light tour on the
history of the castle. The best way to view the remaining parts of
the fortifications is on foot, strolling through the cobbled
streets of the old town, armed with a map from the tourist office
(on the Place d'Armes).
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The city residence of the Grand Ducal family is right
in the heart of the old town, and is surprisingly unpretentious,
recognisable more by the fact that there are sentry boxes outside.
The building features ochre yellow stone decorated with spires and
railings, overlooking a paved pedestrian square. It was originally
the site of a medieval town hall that was destroyed by a gunpowder
explosion in 1554, and rebuilt 20 years later. An annex to the
building was built in 1859 and is the seat of the Chamber of
Deputies. Guided tours are available in July and August by
arrangement with the Luxembourg City Tourist Office.
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This museum was recently substantially refurbished and
contains some major archaeological finds from the Gallo-Roman
period, which are displayed in underground galleries. Collections
of fine arts, medieval artefacts, coins, medals and arms are also
on display.
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In a silent forest clearing near the village of Hamm,
a few miles east of Luxembourg city, lie the graves of more than
5,000 American soldiers killed during World War II, when the Grand
Duchy of Luxembourg became a battleground in the Allies' last bid
for victory on the Western Front. One of the graves is that of the
legendary commander, General George Patton, who died in a traffic
accident just after the war. The cemetery has become a place of
pilgrimage and homage, and is immaculately maintained by members of
the American Battle Monuments' Commission. Not far away, at the
village of Sandwieler, is a German war cemetery with some 10,000
graves.
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The picturesque village of Vianden, situated on the
banks of the Our River and guarded by a magnificent restored
medieval castle, makes a pleasant day trip about 25 miles (40km)
north of the city of Luxembourg. The castle dates back to the 9th
century and was originally the home of the counts of Vianden,
powerful nobles between the 11th and 13th centuries. The ruined
castle was restored in the 1980s and now houses a museum that
recaptures life in the Middle Ages and recounts the area's troubled
history. In the small town below visitors can sip tangy Moselle
wines beside the stream and the cobblestone streets, while enjoying
the view of the green hills.
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In the heart of the Ardennes Mountain region about 30
miles (50km) north of Luxembourg City, the village of Clervaux is
overlooked by a 15th-century castle, a Romanesque church with twin
spires, and a large Benedictine monastery. The castle houses three
small museums, including one that features a collection of World
War II memorabilia from the Battle of the Bulge that was fought in
the region. Another room is dedicated to the Luxembourg Holocaust
victims, its walls lined with mementoes of Luxembourgers who died
in concentration camps. Behind the castle a road leads uphill to
the monastery, where the monks sometimes hold Gregorian chant
concerts. The town itself has numerous appealing restaurants and
cafes.
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The beautiful town of Echternach lies on the border
between Germany and Luxembourg on the banks of the Sûre River. It
boasts a famed abbey, founded in the 7th century by St Willibrord,
whose remains are contained in a magnificent white marble
sarcophagus in the crypt of the Basilica. There are also three
museums in the town, one dedicated to the history of the abbey,
another showcasing ancient artefacts and a third detailing rural
architecture. Echternach also has its own unique event: a
centuries' old traditional dancing procession takes place each Whit
Tuesday, attracting thousands of pilgrims and spectators. The town
is also a jumping-off point for hikers wishing to explore the area
known as the Mullerthal, a fascinating landscape of curious
sandstone rock formations, waterfalls, creeks, springs and forests.
Also known as 'Little Switzerland', this region is criss-crossed
with hiking trails and dotted with picturesque
villages.
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The principal town of Luxembourg's Moselle wine
growing region is linked to the German bank of the river by a
bridge. Grevenmacher is an old town with narrow streets, the
remains of medieval fortifications, and a 13th-century Belfry. The
town's claim to fame is the wine cellars of Caves Bernard-Massard,
whose sparkling wines are internationally acclaimed. The cellars
are open daily for tastings from April to October from 9.30am to
6pm. There is a small museum in the town, and an exotic butterfly
garden. Grevenmacher is also an embarkation point for regular
scenic river cruises on the Moselle, which call at other quaint
villages in the region.
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