Luxembourg City: the European capital with 1,000 years of history
Luxembourg's capital is the cradle of the European Union, a multicultural city brimming with fascinating contrasts. The upper town is home to the historic and traditional quarter The Kirchberg Plateau on the other side of the Alzette valley is the up-to-date contemporary headquarters of many European, cultural and financial institutions. Luxembourg city is a cosmopolitan town where 167 nationalities live side by side, multilingual culture abounds on every street corner and the green spaces invite you to sit back and relax.
Luxembourg, an international city with a rich history
Visiting Luxembourg City is like time-travelling. The Grand Duchy may be small - 2,586 km2 for almost 672.050 inhabitants -, but it has a particularly rich history and the capital is a real compendium of European history
Luxembourg was founded in 963 when the Ardennes Count Siegfried built a castle ('Lucilinburhuc', literally: small castle) on the Bock cliff, around which a fortified city would grow over the centuries. Modified and reinforced countless times during centuries of foreign domination, the fortress of Luxembourg was once one of the largest in Europe. Were you aware of the fact that, with a reputation of being impregnable, the fortress city became known abroad as the 'Gibraltar of the North'?
In terms of modern history, Luxembourg was one of the founding countries of the current European Union. In 1952, the capital became the temporary headquarters of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) and the first capital of Europe. Luxembourg City is the birthplace of Robert Schuman, and together with Brussels and Strasbourg, it is the third European capital and plays host to most of the European institutions.
Nestled in the heart of Western Europe and now home to 167 different nationalities, Luxembourg City is eminently cosmopolitan and multilingual. It's easy to relax in the Grand Duchy, even if you are only here for a few days.
How to explore the City of Luxembourg
Discover our heritage on foot or by bike
Since 1994, the bastions and the old town have featured on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and there are a number of routes to explore these historical wonders:
- Wenzel circular walk: the route takes its name from Wenceslas II, Duke of Luxembourg from 1383 to 1419. During his reign, several sections of the walls were built. You'll discover 1,000 years of history concentrated in 2.5km in the city's oldest districts. The tour takes 3 hours to complete.
- Vauban circular walk: the route follows in the footsteps of the military engineer Vauban and takes in the strategically important points of the old fortress. It also offers exceptional panoramic views of the city. The trail covers 5.16km and takes 3 hours to complete.
- UNESCO bike tour "Luxembourg, old quarters and fortifications": the route passes through the Pétrusse valley and the lower towns of Clausen and Pfaffenthal, taking in some 80 sites, monuments and attractions. It covers an area of 9.5km and can be completed in 90 minutes. Tip: download the Izi-Travel app and hire an electrically assisted Véloh bicycle.
You can also find out more about the city's history by exploring its underground passageways. With kilometre after kilometre of tunnels, the Bock casemates and the Pétrusse casemates are definitely worth a visit.
The Godchaux circular walk combines industrial history and a forestry walk. It takes you back to the early days of industrialisation in the area surrounding Luxembourg City. The tour covers 3km of the Alzette valley in 2 hours and focuses in particular on the local textile industry.
Lovers of contemporary architecture and art in the public sphere can make the most of an architectural walk around the Kirchberg plateau with up to 60 points of interest to discover in 2 to 3 hours.
Discover history and art in the museums
If the weather is unpredictable, you can always immerse yourself in history and art in one of the capital's museums:
- Step back in time:
- Musée Dräi Eechelen; Its journey began in the Middle Ages and ended in 1903.
- Lëtzebuerg City Museum offers a concise introduction to the history of the city.
- National Natural History Museum - 'natur musée' (MNHM) focuses on the country's natural heritage through its botanical, zoological and mineralogical collections, among others.
- For art lovers:
- Casino Luxembourg - Forum for Contemporary Art showcases contemporary art, and in particular the work of a younger generation of artists.
- Villa Vauban –Art Museum of the City of Luxembourg (Villa Vauban – Musée d’Art de la Ville de Luxembourg) a fine arts museum with collections of ancient and contemporary art.
- Contemporary Art Museum of Luxembourg - Mudam: houses the country's most important collection of contemporary art in an iconic building designed by the Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei.
With its national collections of archaeology, history and art, the Nationalmusée um Fëschmaart presents exhibitions in a building that embodies the value of our heritage and incorporates several underground levels.
Discover music and the performing arts
If you fancy an evening filled with culture, check out the theatres and concert halls, which reflect the capital's cosmopolitan and multilingual character. There are many cultural venues to visit - here is a small selection:
- Philharmonie Luxembourg: a cultural masterpiece, both in terms of its programme of classical and contemporary music and its architecture. Discovery Nights combine guided tours, drinks and concerts!
- Le Grand Théâtre: the home of national and international opera (classical and contemporary), dance and theatre.
- Den Atelier: the city's oldest concert hall, with a programme of contemporary music and international artists throughout the year.
- Rotondes: two old locomotive sheds have been transformed into cultural spaces to showcase performing arts, visual arts and contemporary music. The Congés annulés festival is the highlight of summer and should not be missed!
Explore the markets and discover local products
If you are wandering through town on Wednesday or Saturday morning, the Stater Maart is the place to be! Located on Place Guillaume, in the centre of the upper town, you'll find around 40 stalls selling regional and seasonal produce, organic produce, fruit and vegetables, bakery and pastry products, meat, roast chicken, pasta, cheese and much more!
Also, the Glacismaart is the ideal location for foodies and bargain-hunters on a Sunday. As well as a wide range of food products, you’ll also find flea market stalls and entertainment for the youngest members of the family.
When you've purchased your picnic essentials or tasted the local delicacies and need a moment to unwind, we recommend a stroll around the local parks and gardens.
Relaxing in the parks and gardens
Did you know that one quarter of Luxembourg City's 5,173 hectares are covered by green spaces? The capital's parks and gardens are ideal places to take a break from exploring the city, for example:
- Edouard André Municipal Park: English-style landscaped park, a haven of greenery in the heart of the city.
- Pétrusse Valley: this is not a traditional park as such, but a partially redeveloped green space with trees, hedges, lawns and flowers running along a small stream (the Pétrusse) which, little by little, is regaining its natural beauty.
Furthermore, just a stone's throw from Luxembourg city, Bambësch and Gréngewald make up the largest wooded area in the country. These forests have signposted paths as well as fitness and cross-country trails for joggers and walkers alike. They are easily accessible via public transport.
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