I found some incredible places to tour in Luxembourg from ancient fortress remains and city museums.
I first walked the Chemin de Corniche, the old walkway through the city among the old city walls and at one end to the remains of the fortress that used to exist. The underground portions and a few of it in the rocks above still remain. it is called the Bock Casemates.
Poor Luxembourg. In the middle of large powerful countries and with its rocky terrain, it was a perfect place for a fortress and was also under siege numerous times in its history.
The Bock Casemates is over 23 km (about 14 miles) of tunnels, galleries, and chambers that was used to shelter thousands of soldiers, horses, workshops, bakeries, and ammunition stores. It is known as the “Gibraltar of the North” since the fortress was nearly impossible to conquer. After it was dismantled, 17 km still remain as it was interesting grated into the rock below.
- Founded in 963 by Count Siegfried with the purchase of the “Bock” rock and castle.
- Expanded into a fortified city controlled at different times by Burgundians, Spanish, French, Austrians, and Prussians.
- Gained full independence in 1867 and neutrality was guaranteed along with the dismantling of the fortress.
- Joined the EU’s founding members and became a major financial and administrative center.
Letzebuerg City Musem
This museum was pretty cool. starting in the lower floors is the history of Luxembourg and information about the various wars and occupations here. The top floors showed many different ways that the city has been portrayed artistically throughout the centuries. There was one floor devoted entirely to a special issue which was Menstruation. It was really well thought out and covered history, biology, and of course social issues. The discussion of women in the work place (did you know that is was thought that milk curdled, food decayed, and seeds would not grow if a woman in menses was around?). It included interviews of women who have been discriminated and women fighting for more understanding of the reality and many problems that exist. A media room with many clips from shows looped as a video. I actually spent a lot of time here as there was so much to see.
A panorama painted by Antoine Fontaine.
While I was there, it started snowing!
Fort Thüngen and the Dräi Eechelen museum. This fortress was created by the Habsbergs during their occupation and after dismantling during the independence, only three towers remained which are called the three acorns. The museum has some great artifacts and history from the many conflicts the country has endured over the centuries.
Other views around Luxembourg.
