The Land of the Red Rocks Fostering the industrial past to build the future

Travelling through time via a unique industrial heritage

With a visit of the Minett Park Fond-de-Gras, you can travel through Luxembourg's industrial history and discover the narrative of miners who worked tirelessly. The Fond-de-Gras is a small valley whose hillsides were pierced by numerous mining galleries. This valley was a major industrial site and largely contributed to Luxembourg's economic development from the 19th century to the 1960s. Today, it is a green and peaceful valley.

Fans of old trains and children will have a great deal of fun in the park: the steam train known as the Train 1900 travels between Pétange and the Fond-de-Gras. The mining train known as the Minièresbunn takes visitors through old mining galleries in order to reach Lasauvage, a village where miners used to live. The museum not only tells the story of the village, but also that of a group of young Luxembourgers who took shelter in a mine to avoid having to wear the Wehrmacht uniform during the Second World War.

The Cockerill Mine Museum in Ellergronn is a unique place of preservation and enhancement of an exceptional mining heritage. It is not only about drills and machinery, but first and foremost about the story of the men who contributed to Luxembourg's economic success. The former Katzenberg mine is falling apart after it was operated for many decades, but it has not fallen into oblivion. A group of former miners who were passionate about their work and wanted to share their experience to future generations decided to take control of the site. Following renovations, this museum that is nested in the Ellergronn nature reserve is a great site to explore!

Culture and innovation - the core of society's development

The industrial past of Esch-sur-Alzette, the capital of the Land of the Red Rocks, also builds a  cultural future  for the region. In fact,  the culture, innovation  and rehabilitation of its heritage are intrinsically linked. As a result, cultural life  is  very vibrant and  there are modern  and alternative places that  encourage  participation and  discovery.

The  Kulturfabrik for  example, is a former slaughterhouse that has been converted into a transcultural  space. Artists in residence develop or perfect artistic creations across borders and open to all forms of art. The Kulturfabrik's team offers an annual programme with over 200 events covering - among others - cinema, literature, music, exhibitions and dance.

The  Rockhal  is Luxembourg's not- to- be-missed concert venue, where you can see famous music bands every year. It's the  perfect venue for fans of rock, metal,  pop, rap or electro.

Several  buildings  located on the  terrace of the blast furnaces in  Belval  are being rehabilitated to host performances, exhibitions and events in the context  of Esch2022, European Capital of Culture. In these new places,  culture is  rethought, reformulated and seen as  a core element of society's development.

The  theatre known  as Escher Theater is the modern classic of the region. Since it was inaugurated in 1962, it takes a cross-border and multicultural stand through a multilingual programme. Since 2018, the plays aimed at a  young audience have embodied one of the main lines of the theatre's project.

Science and research in focus

Over the last  few  years, Belval  has turned into  Luxembourg's knowledge  hub.

The area's history  across time is truly fascinating. It is probably a reflection of the country's dynamic characteristic and the fact that it's always seeking innovation. In 1850, Belval was a leisure area, before becoming home to the first steelworks in the early 20th century. In 1913, over 3,000 workers produced a total of 400,000 tons of cast-iron, 360,000 tons of steel and 297,000 tons of rolled products! Curiosity for history buffs: the area also witnessed the building of the European Union. In fact, on 30 April  1953, Jean Monnet, one of the founding fathers of the European Coal and Steel Community, carried out the first casting of European steel, a symbolic  moment that took  place in Belval.

In the  60s and 70s, the steelworks and blast furnaces were entirely converted and modernised. Bit by bit, the blast furnaces were brought to a halt in the 90s. Today, the district welcomes the University of Luxembourg. The young campus of the University in Belval  attracts, in particular, scientific institutes and research centres, such as in the fields of biomedicine and IT.

While Belval goes hand in hand with cutting- edge research, Differdange  is synonymous with  education  and  knowledge for all. The  Luxembourg Science Center  invites you in a fun and interactive environment of discovery. It will amaze children,  and, who knows, perhaps tomorrow's great scientists! 

A UNESCO-labelled landscape

In October 2020, Minett UNESCO Biosphere was officially integrated into the World Network of Biosphere Reserves of the UNESCO 'Man and the Biosphere' programme. This natural area has become a learning ground for sustainable development, rich in biodiversity and a site of historical significance. With a surface area of 200km2, the region has had protected natural areas at national and communal level since the 1990s. It is a genuine gift for lovers of nature and industrial history.

How to enjoy this unique natural heritage?

Mountain bike lovers are in for a great adrenaline rush all along the RedRock MTB Trail. The circuits are rated difficult and the trails are demanding and varied. Visitors who would like to relax while keeping fit can use one of many hiking trails. For all tastes and audiences!

Looking for an activity with the little ones? The Escher Déierepark animal park and the Escher Bamhaiser, guesthouses perched in the trees and nestled in the heart of the park, are not to be missed!