Cathedral Notre-Dame

Around a bend in the road, a stone's throw from the city centre, Notre Dame Cathedral rises into the capital's skyline. With its three towers, two of which are 40 metres high, this architectural jewel is rightly one of the most visited monuments. Every year, thousands of visitors pass through the gates of this edifice.

The cathedral was originally a Jesuit church, the plans for which were drawn up by the Jesuit Brother Jean du Blocq (1583-1656). The foundation stone was laid in 1613. Construction of the church building was spread over several years, and was finally completed in 1621, as indicated by the date on the entrance portal.  

Following the suppression of the Jesuit order in 1773, the missionaries left the city and handed over the running of the church to the state-run college. In 1778, Empress Maria Theresa of Austria donated the church to the City of Luxembourg, and since 1844 it has been known as Notre Dame Church. After the creation of the Diocese of Luxembourg in 1870, it was elevated to the rank of cathedral by Pope Pius IX. 

Over the centuries, the cathedral has expanded to accommodate its ever-growing congregation. Between 1935 and 1937, Notre-Dame cathedral was extended on its south side with the addition of a transept, a new choir and a crypt, which can also be visited.  

The cathedral and its two entrances

Notre-Dame cathedral is predominantly Gothic in style, but also features several Baroque and Renaissance elements, such as the bronze portals by the Luxembourg artist Auguste Trémont, which are located at the western entrance to the building. There is also a large forecourt with a small wall, trees and steps leading up to the cathedral.

The main entrance, on the Rue Notre-Dame side, opens onto a portal created in 1613 by the sculptor Daniel Müller. Above the portal are statues of the Virgin Mary and Saints Peter and Paul.

Several architectural styles inside

The cathedral's interior is not only resplendent, but also a fine example of the blending of different architectural styles. Late Gothic and Renaissance styles stand side by side.

The nave, divided into four bays, is flanked by two side aisles. It is followed by a wide transept, onto which the cathedral's choir opens. Ten impressive columns with Italian neo-Romanesque motifs rise high to support the rib vaults.

All the stained-glass windows dating from the 19th and 20th centuries, created by the Frenchman Louis Barillet and the Luxembourger Emile Probst, among others, illuminate the building in the most brilliant and varied colours. They celebrate the Virgin Mary and represent saints particularly venerated in Luxembourg. 

The artistic decoration includes paintings, murals, and sculptures by a number of well-known artists. Various coats of arms on the right-side aisle precede the choir with its altar decorated with precious alabaster statues.

Virgin Mary and crypt

The jewel of the building is at the back of the choir, the wooden statue of the Virgin Mary, comforter of the afflicted, patron saint of Luxembourg City (since 1666) and of the Grand Duchy (since 1678). Its veneration dates back to 1624. During the annual Octave pilgrimage (April-May), the most important religious festival in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the 70-centimetre-high statue of the Virgin Mary is carried in procession through the streets of the city.

In the crypt, a forest of twelve columns supports the upper church. At the entrance is the funerary monument to John the Blind, King of Bohemia and Count of Luxembourg, who died at the Battle of Crécy in 1346. But the crypt, decorated with stained glass windows by Anton Wendling (1891-1965), is also the resting place of deceased members of the Grand Ducal family and the Luxembourg clergy. The two lions guarding the entrance to the vault are also the work of Auguste Trémont.