Walk through the upper city in Luxembourg photo story. Luxembourg: a small but rich duchy. When is the best time to go to Luxembourg?

The first day in any city is very important. If you have a good action plan, you can see a lot of things, and most importantly, set the right mode for your further trip. Not to mention situations when you only have one day in the city. This is exactly what happened to me with Luxemburg - all the readers vied with each other, and I, a fool, listened. In the end, I liked the city, and I would willingly spend another day there.

“You will see portraits like this in all the businesses in the city,” the attendant assured me during registration. However, during my stay in Luxembourg, I did not notice another such portrait.

Not quite sure how to spend a day in the city, I asked my friends, who contacted their friend, Olga. She sent me a tip on this excellent route. I quote it almost verbatim as a good way to summarize this entire post into one paragraph:

We start from Constitution Square, where there is a gorgeous view of the main attraction - the Adolf Bridge (this is the first Duke, if that). Then we go to Notre Dame, and from there to the Corniche street - this is “balcony” in French - along the entire street there is a gorgeous view of Luxembourg, considered one of the most beautiful views in Europe. Along it we come to the ruins of the castle from which Luxembourg began and the Bock casemates. This is in the rock of a cave where garrisons used to be located. It costs 6 euros to go inside. From the casemates we go to the center of the old city, to the palace of the Grand Duke, we walk there in zigzags, and then to the Perscatore foundation. There is very beautiful building- This is a nursing home. And next to it is a new elevator. We go down on it to the lower city. We are walking along the Alzette River. We've been walking for a long time. We pass by the abbey, but on the other side of the river. We go up and we are at the starting point.

2. So, let's start with Constitution Square (Place de la Constitution). The square can be recognized by the golden statue of a woman placed on a granite obelisk. (The monument is called “Golden Aunt”; it is a monument to those who fell in the world wars.)

3. The square offers a beautiful view of the Adolfo Bridge. This beautiful bridge over the Petrus River was built at the very beginning of the 20th century. He was named after the first Grand Duke of Luxembourg.

Despite its more than thousand-year history(we'll talk about it a little more), Luxembourg acquired Grand Dukes relatively recently, in 1890. Throughout most of the 19th century, the territory of the duchy, being a formally independent state, was subordinate to the king of the Netherlands. That is, one person concurrently ruled both Holland and Luxembourg, while they remained different states. (Also, for a hundred years, England and Scotland shared the king, but not the sovereignty. This situation ended after.)

So, in 1890, the King of the Netherlands, Willem III, died, leaving only a daughter as his heirs. According to Dutch law, she became queen, but Luxembourg did not recognize female monarchs at that time, and Willem’s closest relative, Adolf, became the ruler of the tiny territory.

4. The bridge named after him is currently being repaired.

By the way, the Petrus River, over which this bridge is thrown, looks like this:

I'll have some pictures of the trains on this bridge. Don't think it's just luck. Each time, seeing it from a new angle, I stood for ten minutes, aiming, waiting for the next train.

13. The Corniche takes us to the point where the Alzette loop creates a high natural cliff above the valley. This place is called Bok. It was here in the 10th century that Count Siegfried built the first castle, calling it Lisilinburg (Small Fortress). From this moment Luxembourg traces its history. Later, in this place stood one of the most impregnable fortresses Europe. At the end of the 18th century, the French army besieged Luxembourg for seven months before taking it. After this, they declared the Luxembourg fortress second after Gibraltar. After this, the city began to be called “northern Gibraltar”.

14. At the end of the 18th century, the Austrians built a bridge like this, which connected the elevated cliff with the rest of the city. Interestingly, the bridge provides as many as four options to cross from one cliff to another! There is a wide road along its top; there is also a passage under the upper series of arches, it can be seen in the photograph; there is also a special staircase crossing the main arch inside the bridge; and finally, under the bridge there is a narrow underground tunnel connecting both sides!

15. But the most interesting thing is inside the cliff. After all, it was all dug with tunnels to create an even more effective defense. In the dungeons of Bok there are Casemates, available to tourists for six euros. Walking through these artificial caves is very interesting, especially since they are the only thing left of the once powerful fortress.

The fact is that in the 19th century, the French tried to buy Luxembourg from the Dutch crown. Prussia, whose authorities were then in the process of reunifying the German Empire, also encroached on the territory. But none of the great powers could allow the most powerful fortress in northern Europe to fall to someone else. As a result, a compromise was reached: Luxembourg would remain neutral, and to ensure this neutrality, Bock's fortifications would have to be destroyed. After signing this agreement, the above-ground buildings were dismantled for 16 years!

16. Well, the underground ones are left to us, the tourists. Here you can still stumble upon military weapons of bygone times. The coolest thing is that in many places these caves abut “windows” hollowed out in the cliff.

17. The casemates were dug at many levels, often the tunnels being raised and lowered by spiral staircases.

18. And here is a well, with the help of which the garrison could get water from the river below. According to legend, there is a mermaid at its bottom!

19. Through one of the "windows" in the walls one can see the roof of the Church of St. John, in Neumünster Abbey.

20. After the casemates we will head to the old " high city". It is located at the top of the cliff. There are many shops and cafes here.

21. The Grand Duke's Palace is also located here. He is guarded by an honor guard with machine guns.

22. The flag of Luxembourg is similar to the Dutch one - an echo of the time when both countries were ruled by the same person.

23. The old building of the Central Bank of Luxembourg.

24. Next to it there is a new building - on its facade there is a public service announcement about the new 50 euro banknotes, which were put into circulation in early April.

25. And this is behind the bank. The Iron Egg is another work of contemporary art. In general, there are a lot of such things in Luxembourg, there is something to look at.

26. This beautiful building is the Pescatore Foundation, named after a famous businessman of the first half of the 19th century. After his death, he left a huge amount of money to the city to build a nursing home.

27. His will was carried out, and today this palace belongs to grandparents who proudly walk around its territory, leaning on sticks and walkers.

29. There is also a “lower city” there. How to get there?

30. Fortunately, there is a free street elevator.

Let's go down!

31. The lower town is also old. There are also stone turrets, walls, and houses, just like in fairy tales!

32. We continue our walk along the banks of the Alzette River, going around the Bock cliff, from which we just descended.

33. It's beautiful here. Sometimes there are dams.

34. The banks of the river are covered with greenery.

35. We pass under the high supports of the railway bridge. Or is this another bridge? There seem to be several of these in Luxembourg.

36. There is also an embankment - you have to walk along the river for quite a long time.

37. And so, we come to the place that we had previously seen from the Corniche street-balcony.

38. To our left is the abbey, to our right is the Bock cliff. We have already seen all this from above!

39. At this point, an old fortress bridge spans the river.

40. Along it you can go straight to the abbey itself, and climb to the other side of the river valley.

41. A view back to the cliffs cut by casemates. Just an hour ago I was looking out of these holes and looking at where I am standing now!

42. Here you can climb to the Ram plateau, where there is also a half-destroyed fortress. However, now it looks like it is being restored. I hope this does not jeopardize Luxembourg's neutrality!

43. The railway tracks run through the towers and fortifications of this fortress.

44. It is from here that trains leave for the beautiful bridge! Here, too, it’s worth keeping watch for the red train.

45. But let's go back across the river. Between Corniche Street and its shore there are several more roads in the middle, from where you can clearly see the valley and the old city in it.

46. This area is called Grund. Oh, there's a train again!

47. While I was walking, I constantly noticed how low the planes were landing. Luxembourg Airport is located very close to the city.

48. We will continue to walk along the Alzette River. Here is the lower city, and there on the cliff is the upper one, where we started.

49. But here I am again back at the Adolphe Bridge. From below it looks even more impressive. For some reason, from here it reminded me of a fairy tale. It's hard to believe that such a steep bridge spans such a tiny stream.

Next to the Adolphe Bridge there are stairs that you can climb back to the Place de la Constitución, where we started our walk.

How did you like the excursion? After it, I regretted that I only had one day in Luxembourg, because I wanted to spend more time in many of these places, and I hadn’t even seen the new areas of the city yet. I'll definitely come back here someday.

Many thanks to Olga for this route. By the way, she's leading Instagram, @rhythmofs, which talks about Luxembourg and other places northern Europe. Subscribe to it if you like old spiky cities! (Well and subscribe to my Instagram at the same time. This The best way keep an eye on me while traveling).

Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is in Western Europe, borders Belgium, France and Germany. The title of its ruler occupies an intermediate position between a “simple” duke and a king, hence the pompous name of this small state with a population of just over 500 thousand people.

Luxembourg originates from the small fortification of Lutzeburg, which was built during the times of the ancient Romans. It was then captured by the Franks and became part of Charlemagne's empire. In 963, Count Siegfried bought these lands and built a castle on the site of the fortification, later named Luxembourg. In 1354 the county was transformed into a duchy.

In a series of endless wars Duchy of Luxembourg there was no way the neighbors could share it. It was part of the Holy Roman Empire, was captured by Spain, France, and was part of the German Confederation. And finally, in 1867, following the results of the London Conference, it finally became an independent state.

Luxembourg - walled city

Luxembourg It was no coincidence that it aroused great interest in the German Confederation: after Gibraltar it was the most powerful European fortress. It was possible to evict the Prussian garrison only in 1866 at the request of France, but during both World Wars Germany invariably captured the duchy, despite its neutral status. Therefore the main Luxembourg attractions– these are his fortresses and castles.

The capital of the duchy itself was one large fortress, the remains of which are preserved in its historical center - the Upper Town. Defensive power emanates from the casemates, which are many kilometers of corridors and tunnels in the La Bocque rock. Their construction began during the period of Spanish rule in 1644, when the first bastions rose over the Pétrusse River.

The Three Acorns fortress, which received such a unique name because of the gilded figurines of acorns placed on its towers, also managed to partially survive.

This fortification was erected in 1732; a deep ditch was dug around its walls, and it was possible to get inside only through a 170-meter tunnel. After the demolition of the fortress walls in 1867, only three towers with acorns remained, which stood abandoned for a long time. In 1990, they were reconstructed and access to the museums located there was opened.

What's behind the fortress walls?

The Upper Town is a museum under open air, which presents all history of Luxembourg. Its heart is the square named after Grand Duke Willem II (aka William II and Guillaume II). During his reign, reforms began that pulled Luxembourg out of a protracted crisis. In memory of these achievements, an equestrian statue of Willem II was erected here.

The second, “popular” name of the square is Knüdler (a knot on the Franciscan’s belt). In the Middle Ages, there was a monastery on this site, in the church of which, for some reason, gunpowder was stored. In 1554, it was struck by lightning and a huge fire broke out, destroying almost the entire Upper City. It was necessary to rebuild not only the temple, but also City Hall, which became the Palace of the Grand Dukes in 1890.

It was rebuilt several times, so its architecture is a mixture of Flemish style and French Renaissance. During World War II, the Germans plundered the Palace and turned it into an entertainment venue. Then Duchess Charlotte, who returned from exile, had to restore her residence.

Now in this rather modest building, with a guard standing alone at the entrance, official receptions and negotiations are held. And every year from the Yellow Room of the Palace country Luxembourg receives Merry Christmas greetings from his Grand Duke.

Notre Dame Cathedral and the "Golden Frau"

Next to Place Willem II is the main church of the Catholic diocese - the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Luxembourg. It was built in 1613-1621 by the Jesuit order, but the brotherhood did not have a chance to admire its elegant beauty for long: after 150 years they were deported from the country.

The church was first renamed in honor of St. Nicholas, then St. Teresa. And in 1870, after the visit of Pope Pius IX, it became the Cathedral, at which time the image of the Virgin Comforter appeared in it, whom Luxembourg city considers her to be her heavenly patroness. In 1935-1939, the temple was restored and is now considered one of the best examples of late Gothic architecture.

The composition is dedicated to the memory of Luxembourgers who fought during the First World War against the German occupiers. In 1940, the “Golden Frau” was dismantled by the Nazis, and it disappeared without a trace. It was discovered many years later under the stadium's stands, and in 1984 the monument was returned to its place.

One of the symbols of the capital of Luxembourg is the Adolphe Bridge, connecting the Upper and Lower Towns.

Built at the beginning of the 20th century in just 3 years, it was named after the Grand Duke, who laid the first stone in its foundation. At that time, it was the largest arch bridge in the world, until in 1905 this title passed to its “brother” in Germany.

Luxembourg - the land of castles

What to see in Luxembourg, except its capital? These are, of course, castles scattered throughout the duchy.

The main one is Berg Castle in the city of Colmar-Berg, since 1848 the official residence of the King of the Netherlands, since 1890 - the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. Willem II bought it from the wealthy Pasquier family, then Grand Duke Adolf moved into it with his family.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the old castle was demolished and a new one was erected. When the economic crisis began in the 1930s, Berg and the capital's Palace were transferred by His Royal Highness to the treasury for compensation of 40 million francs. During the Second World War, the castle was abandoned, then it was restored, and in 1964 the ducal family returned there.

No less famous is Vianden Castle, located in the city of the same name, 40 km from the capital. It was built for the counts of Vianden in the 11th-14th centuries on the remains of a Roman fortress, and in 1407 it became the property of the Orange-Nassau family. At the end of the 19th century, Vianden became unaffordable for the owners, and they began to sell it for building materials. In 1977, at the direction of the Duke, the castle was transferred to the state, restored and became a monument of European significance.

The 10th-century castle in the city of Mamer was also destroyed to the ground, but on the site of its ruins, the chief of the city police in 1830 built a new one, fenced with 2-meter walls. Until 1995, the owners of the castle and surrounding lands changed, until it was bought by the administration of the local commune. In 2002, after restoration work was completed, the castle became the Town Hall, where the administration moved.

Bourscheid Castle, the largest in the duchy, was also founded in the 10th century. Throughout the Middle Ages, it was constantly completed and expanded.

In 1512, after the death of Lord Bourscheid, the castle was divided by 3 “indirect” heirs, after which it fell into disrepair, and at the beginning of the 19th century it completely collapsed. In 1936 it was recognized as a national treasure, but restoration was prevented by the war. Only in 1972 did reconstruction begin in Burscheid, which continues to this day, but the castle is already open to the public.

Holy Trinity Abbey

30 km from Luxembourg is the Abbey of the Holy Trinity, one of the oldest in the country. It was founded in 698 by the Benedictines, led by Bishop Willibrord, who was canonized after his death. The abbey flourished until the end of the 18th century, when revolutionary French soldiers invaded it, dispersed the monks, requisitioned the book collection, and converted the basilica into a pottery workshop. After 100 years, the temple was bought by the residents of Echternach, and services were resumed there. In 1944, the basilica was blown up by the retreating Nazis, but 9 years later it was completely restored.

Little Luxembourg performed a great miracle by preserving its language and statehood. He deserves the atmosphere of serenity and tranquility that reigns on the green and perfectly clean streets of his cities.

Paradise in miniature, where no one is in a hurry, and the streets and houses breathe bourgeois quality. The small but strikingly interesting county of Luxembourg, despite its size, is very attractive. It is not easy to see it on the map. This is the largest among small European states and the smallest among large ones. For your information, in 2008 the most rich country Luxembourg was recognized by Europe.

The average annual income per person is about 44.5 thousand US dollars, and this is only from a population of 500 thousand. The minimum wage is 1200 euros. The phenomenon of this is the result of the post-war government policy regarding taxation and the preservation of banking secrecy, as a result of which rivers of capital flowed into inconspicuous Luxembourg from all over the world.

Let's go back to history

Translated from Old German, Luxembourg means a small castle or fortress. Situated on steep cliffs that rise above the river, this castle was truly impregnable. It existed until 1867. The important strategic position of this city in the very center of Europe, which changed hands more than once, belonged to Spain, France, Austria and other hunters to take possession of profitable territory.

In the eighteenth century, the Grand Duchy was created in the territories adjacent to the city of Luxembourg, which began to be considered an independent state. Gaining independence contributed to accelerated economic growth. Metallurgy began to develop especially quickly. Energy consumed, including oil, gas, coal, is imported. That's why local residents are turning to alternative heating methods - solar panels, heat pumps.

Boundless spaces in a small state

Since 1995, Luxembourg City has become the cultural capital of Europe. And a year before that, the old part of the city was declared cultural heritage humanity. Two rivers divide Luxembourg into an upper and lower city. In the upper part you can see houses in the Gothic style, spiers and towers on the edge of cliffs, which nature skillfully depicted in the form of romantic scenes.

Due to its special location, a large role in architectural ensemble cities play bridges. There are more than a hundred of them in Luxembourg. Each of them is built according to an individual project. Two of them - the Adolphe Bridge and the Duchess Charlotte Bridge - connect the two parts of the city.

Whatever will be will be

The Burgundians, Spaniards, French, Austrians, Prussians came and went, but the Luxembourgers had no say in their fortress. The Sentinel of Luxembourg's Little Army is the latest reminder of the city's military past, the oldest part of which was built in the Spanish Renaissance style. The Grand Ducal Palace symbolizes Luxembourg's independence and is one of the country's most significant landmarks. Today it serves for representative purposes. Walking along the old fortress walls is a journey into the past.

The country, which was played like a ball by powerful powers, has turned into a great power, which is now rightly called the cradle of Europe.

Residence of the Grand Duke

In the center of the upper city, not far from Place Guillaume, is the residence of the Grand Duke. The palace with sophisticated towers and an ornate façade, made in the Mauritanian style, is in perfect harmony with the parliament building and the city hall. Local residents consider the Federal Cathedral of Notre Dame, built at the beginning of the seventeenth century, to be a source of pride for the main city square. There are always a lot of tourists admiring the cathedral.

"Golden Frau"

Sights that Luxembourgers treasure:

• Notre Dame Cathedral of Luxembourg;
• monument "Golden Frau";
• Beaufort Castle;
• wine trail;
• Bok casemates;
• Chapel Saint-Kieren;
• Place Guillaume;
• Fort Thüngen;
• Palace of the Grand Dukes.

The casemates were built in the form of labyrinths back in 1644 during Spanish rule; in the eighteenth century, the Austrians reconstructed the catacombs, which are about 40 meters deep. At the end of the nineteenth century most of The catacombs were destroyed, but seventeen kilometers of tunnels were preserved. The casemates are open to tourists and are one of the attractions reminiscent of war times.

Museums of Luxembourg

The most famous museums Luxembourg, which are important attractions of the duchy:

• National Museum of History and Art.
• Museum of fortifications and weapons.
• Telecommunications Museum.
• Casino Luxembourg.
• Museum of Ancient Musical Instruments.
• Palace of the Grand Dukes of Luxembourg.

Public Transport Museum

This is a museum where no one meets you or tells you anything. In it you can find trams, drivers' caps, printing presses, and stamps. Small, high-quality trams and their updated counterparts, buses - all small in size, for ease of travel along small streets. Another exhibit of the museum is a model of a bus stop.

High-tech in a medieval body

The medieval capital is being reborn beyond recognition. Modern high-tech fills part of its center, surprising with its cold, fantastic forms. One of these buildings houses the conservatory, where the most important cultural events take place. Luxembourgers are proud of the fact that they built cosmic forms into the medieval body of the city, which they proudly call their landmarks.

Bizarre Monuments of the Duchy

The monument to a bank office worker is a reminder that the duchy became a banking state, home to the largest investment funds.
The direct opposite of the previous monument is the monument to the very first Luxembourger.

Luxury state

The small territory of Luxembourg contains vineyards and castles, real mountain gorges and river valleys, quiet small towns and a cosmopolitan capital city. The population of this country speaks four languages, but their native language is Luxembourgish, which unites them into one nation.

Sights of Vianden

The great Victor Hugo lived in the city of Vianden, this fact is the pride of the town. And the second pride is the castle that towers over the city. This is not only the pride of Luxembourgers, but also the most epoch-making castle in the history of the state. This stone giant survived for several centuries. The portraits on the walls of the castle represent the entire history of the ruling dynasties. The Russian Embassy is another attraction of this town. On a hill in a quiet green park corner there is a castle in which our embassy has been located for more than fifty years. The former owner of the castle was the founder of a metallurgical dynasty.

Tourists are not the main source of income

Tourists for Luxembourg are not a profitable part of the country. The state receives its main income from vineyards and banks. And nothing else is needed for quiet, cozy European happiness. But Luxembourgers are always happy to see foreigners in their country. They are attentive, sociable and hospitable.

But in a small country there is always something to see, and one day is not enough to see all the sights. To continue your acquaintance with mini-countries, we advise you to go to those that also deserve your attention.

The name of this prosperous little country sounds like “little castle” in German. Luxembourg was named this way for a reason. This is due to the history of the country, on whose territory until the 10th century there was only a fort. Later formed small state, which has long been dependent on larger neighboring countries. Therefore, in Luxembourg you can hear German, French and Luxembourgish speech.

Despite its modest size, Luxembourg is distinguished by many attractions, among which ancient castles occupy a special place. All photos are supplemented with descriptions.

1. Residence of the Grand Duke

This building was built back in 1574 and only in 1890 began to function as the palace of the Grand Duke. The residence of the monarchs is open for inspection from July to August. At this time, the Grand Duke and his family retire to rest.

2. House-Museum of Victor Hugo

The great French novelist loved to visit Vianden. Here he created, fell in love, participated in putting out fires. In the house where the writer stayed and lived in 1935, the Victor Hugo Museum was created.

3. Bourshed Castle

Construction of this castle began in the 10th century. Over the course of a long period, the castle territory was expanded and the castle was rebuilt. As a result, Bourshed gained fame as one of the largest castles in Luxembourg.

4. Vianden Castle

This beautiful castle Europe is located high in the Ardennes and can only be reached by ski lift. The castle almost turned into a heap of ruins, but in the twentieth century it was restored and Vianden hospitably opened its doors to all visitors.

5. Chapel Saint-Kieren

The Saint-Kieren Chapel was carved into the rock by the famous knights of the Teutonic Order in the 14th century. For many centuries, this place has been a place of pilgrimage and worship of Faith, Hope and Love.

6. Wine Museum

This museum is located in the town of Ennen in the Moselle Valley - the main wine-growing region not only of Luxembourg, but of the whole world. In the wine museum you can see winemaking equipment that was used back in the 13th century.

7. Adolf Bridge

The Adolf Bridge was built in 1903 and named after the then ruler. At the beginning of the twentieth century, this bridge held the palm among all arch bridges in the world.

8. Fort Tüngen

This defensive fortress is named after its commandant, Baron von Thüngen. Built in 1732, the fortress was impregnable. Not many people knew about the 170-meter tunnel through which one could get to Tüngen.

9. Golden Frau

The Golden Frau is rightfully considered the symbol of the capital of Luxembourg. This monument is dedicated to the victims of the First World War.

10. Wine trail

The wine trail starts from the village of Schengen and extends along the Moselle River for 42 km. Famous vineyards stretch along the trail, wineries and wine cellars where you can taste different types of wine.

11. Wolf Mouth Canyon

There were once wolves here, but they have long been gone from these places. But the name of the area has been preserved. This nature reserve Also called “little Switzerland” because of the extraordinary beauty and diversity of landscapes.

12. Parc de Ville

It's hard to believe that it's there modern park There once was an ancient fortress. This park is favorite place recreation for locals of all ages.

13. Casemates Petrus

This system of underground passages was created in the 17th century. Spaniards. Later, the casemates were improved by the Austrians. During the Second World War, the population hid from the Nazis in the Petrus Casemates.

14. Upper Sur

Making this National Park in 1999 pursued many goals: the preservation of the fauna and flora of Luxembourg, the development of tourism and forestry, as well as the ancient architectural complexes of the principality.

Luxembourg is the capital of the same name of one of the smallest independent states in Europe. But this is exactly the case when size does not matter. Despite its compactness (both the main city and the country itself, which can be crossed from north to south in literally an hour to an hour and a half), Luxembourg has a unique architectural “face” and flavor, stands out from its neighboring countries and, most likely, from a tourist point of view vision will give you a lot of pleasure.

Over the centuries, Luxembourg was ruled by one or another conqueror, but the greatest influence on the Grand Duchy came from neighboring Germany and France.

Luxembourg is always included in routes around Europe or the Benelux countries for organized tourists: huge buses stop at a couple of points in the city at observation decks so that people can take pictures against the backdrop of a “Luxembourg postcard”, and then carry travelers tired of the road and the abundance of impressions to the next European country.

In this article you will find a detailed (and not just for show) route around the capital of the Grand Duchy - Luxembourg - for independent tourists. Depending on how much time you have in the city (from a couple of hours to two days), I will tell you how to spend it in the most optimal and interesting way, what you must see and do, and also how to save a little, if relevant.

More than 100 thousand people live in the city of Luxembourg and its suburbs, which is almost a quarter of the population of the entire state. Luxembourg, which first emerged as an independent entity in 963 (then just a small fortified castle on top of the steep Bock cliff), today, thanks to its economic policies, ranks 4th in the world in terms of income of the indigenous population. This very standard of living, when you find yourself in Luxembourg, is immediately visible to the naked eye: a huge number of offices of the largest international banks and companies, an abundance of expensive and ultra-expensive cars on the streets, elegant villas - almost Monaco, only in the very center of Europe and without access to the sea.

Where to stay in Luxembourg

So, you have arrived in the center of Luxembourg (despite the fact that you are not a Chinese tourist, who usually only has 10-15 minutes for a photo).

Details about (in different ways) read here.

Where to go now?

Starting point for walking route in Luxembourg it is traditionally considered Constitution Square. There is also a stop here from where green or red Luxembourg tourist tickets depart around the city. busesHopon, hopoff(in and out). Located in the center of Constitution Square monument entitled "Golden Lady". This is a war monument in honor of the Luxembourger volunteers who went to the front and died during the First World War. “The Golden Lady” is a 21-meter granite obelisk with a gilded statue of a woman on its top, holding a laurel wreath in her hands, at the foot of which there are two figures - a reclining dead person and the one sitting, mourning him. It's nearby Casino Luxembourg, and from the observation deck there is a view of Most Adolf ( built between 1900 and 1903 and named after Grand Duke Adolf), as well as the Petrus River valley that flows through the city. It was at the time when I found myself in Luxembourg that a mobile attraction was installed in the city on Constitution Square - City Skyliner observation deck. Because it's not permanent Observation deck(she will stay in Luxembourg from June 28 to August 6, 2017), unfortunately, I cannot recommend it. But in this article I will show panoramic views of the capital of Luxembourg from a height of 81 meters and a 360-degree view.

Constitution Square

Adolf Bridge

The foot of the obelisk "Golden Lady"

View of Constitution Square from the observation deck

Near Constitution Square there is an impressive Notre Dame Cathedral of Luxembourg is the main Roman Catholic Cathedral city, built on the site of a Jesuit church from the early 17th century. This is a very interesting building from an architectural point of view in the late Gothic style with elements and details of the Renaissance. Be sure to go inside and pay attention to the statue of the Virgin Mary, to whom the temple is dedicated and which is especially revered by the townspeople, as well as the amazing stained glass windows. In the crypt of the cathedral there is a tomb of the rulers of Luxembourg - the Grand Dukes.

Notre Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg

Coming out of the Cathedral, turning left and walking down the wide Roosevelt Boulevard for another 100-150 meters, you will come to the so-called justice quarter. On the square there is Constitutional Court of Luxembourg and other administrative buildings that were built relatively recently, in the early 2000s. They are not particularly interesting, but the observation deck located here overlooking the Old (lower) city is part of Boulevard de la Corniche, the main and most popular attraction of Luxembourg. Almost all guidebooks mention the name of this place as “one of the most beautiful balconies in Europe.” This comparison comes from Batty Weber, a famous Luxembourgish writer and journalist.

The entire Old Town, located at the foot of the Bock rock, through which the Alzette river flows, is listed World Heritage UNESCO. One of the recognizable views of the duchy, which are usually printed on postcards, opens from this part of the pedestrian “balcony”.

In the "Quarter of Justice"

After this, leaving the square in front of the Constitutional Court and turning right, go deeper into the Upper Old city along the street of the Holy Spirit (Rue de Saint Esprit). She will lead you to Palace of the Grand Dukes, which remains the official residence of the head of Luxembourg to this day. The “public” part of the Ducal Palace can be viewed within organized excursion(alas, not held in Russian), and part of the entrance fee goes to a special charitable foundation established by the Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg. Near the entrance to the Palace there is a guard of Luxembourg army soldiers - only one or two people. Luxembourg is considered one of the safest places in Europe, so the security here is purely symbolic.

Palace of the Grand Dukes with its formidable guard

After the Palace, take a walk around the Old Town in the direction you want. The streets are lined with cafes, restaurants and a variety of shops - expensive boutiques and mid-range ones. Surprisingly, there are almost no bakeries or small private grocery stores in this quarter. So if your hotel is located in this part of the city, you will have to look for a croissant for breakfast or food for a snack. Main squares- This Place d'Armes And Place Guiliame II, where the city hall is located and Luxembourg Tourism Office. I personally liked the first square more - the cozy and green Place d'Armes, this is where it is most pleasant to sit in a cafe (even if it is a tourist one).

One of the main shopping streets of the Old Town of Luxembourg

However, the minimum program for Luxembourg will be incomplete if you do not see the Old Lower Town from another viewing point of the “balcony” - the opposite one in front of the Constitutional Court. There is also another major attraction here - Bock rock casemates- a network of underground passages in the rocks under the Luxembourg Fortress, once stretching for 23 kilometers (now “only” about 17). Today it is a popular Luxembourg museum, where weapons and rarities found during the dismantling of the Luxembourg fortress are exhibited. The exact address: Montee de Clausen, 10.

Once out of the dungeons into the fresh air, take a deep breath and enjoy the most beautiful views(for those who are afraid of heights, it’s better not to bend down too much, it’s really scary). At the foot of the Bock rock at the bottom of the gorge, the Alzette River runs and foams; on stone terraces located in tiers below, local residents grow corn, tomatoes, pumpkins and other vegetables; sometimes you can see planes soaring into the sky from Luxembourg airport... Very beautiful!

The route that I described above fits within 2.5-3 hours. If you have a full day from morning to evening, or you are staying overnight in Luxembourg, you can devote the second day museums And parks Luxembourg. The main one is Modern Art MuseumMUDAM, located in the European quarter of the city at a distance of approximately 2-3 kilometers from historical center. You can get there on foot (the modern business quarter is visible from the Old Town), but the most convenient way is by car or local bus (No. 1 and No. 16 & Eurobus, stop - Philharmonie/Mudam). Next to the MUDAM Museum there is a beautiful building of the main concert hall Luxembourg – Philharmonic.

European Quarter and MUDAM Museum of Contemporary Art

Another interesting museum – Villa Vauban– a couple of hundred meters from the Old Town (18, avenue Emile Reuter). The Villa building, in the middle of a large green park stretching across several blocks, houses the collection of the Luxembourg Museum of Art with works from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Helpful information:

If you're traveling by car, keep in mind that many outdoor public parking areas are free on weekends. It is better to park a little further from the Old Town, for example here (Fouerplaatz). In general, there are several such “intercept” parking lots along the perimeter of the historical center.

On weekdays, parking is paid, but there are always enough spaces, and it’s a nice walk to the center in a few minutes.

You can choose a rental car for your trip to Europe using this form:

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This is not particularly mentioned on tourism and official websites, but on Saturdays travel on almost all city buses in Luxembourg is free (from 2015 to the end of 2017, at least as an experiment). This was done to encourage people to leave their cars at home on weekends and go shopping on public transport. Tourists, of course, are also pleased with this city initiative. And since the summer of 2019, all public transport in Luxembourg they promise to make it free.

Entrance to the MUDAM Museum of Contemporary Art was free for us. However, this was rather an exceptional case; on one Sunday, Luxembourgers who knew about this went en masse to the Museum to see the works of contemporary authors. A ticket to MUDAM for adults costs 7 euros, but if you happen to be in Luxembourg on a Wednesday, entry to MUDAM is free from 18.00 to 23.00 on an ongoing basis.

Elena Kurylenko