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Luxembourg Old Town
卢森堡老城 · Luxembourg City (Old Town), Luxembourg
Above ground, the Chemin de la Corniche along the Bock cliff, called "Europe's most beautiful balcony," overlooks the Alzette valley and the Grund quarter; below ground, the stone galleries and gun positions of the Bock Casemates lay the fortress's history before your eyes.
Know before you go
- Do not leave the open route in the casemates
- do not push in low, narrow passages
- do not run on the cobbles in the rain
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
The little castle of 963
In 963 Count Siegfried, with the consent of Emperor Otto I, acquired an old fort on the Bock rock from the Abbey of St. Maximin; the deed calls it Lucilinburhuc. This year is usually taken as the beginning of Luxembourg, and the old name evolved into today's "Luxembourg."
Source: Wikipedia: Bock (Luxembourg); Around the World 4U: Bock Casemates
History
How it became the "Gibraltar of the North"
Strengthened over centuries, the fortress of Luxembourg became famous for being nearly impregnable. The French statesman Lazare Carnot called it "the best in the world, apart from Gibraltar," and the nickname "Gibraltar of the North" spread from there. In 1794 the fortress held out for about seven months under a French siege.
Source: Wikipedia: Bock (Luxembourg); Around the World 4U: Bock Casemates
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Luxembourg's old town lies in the center of Luxembourg City, with the Bock cliff rising above the Alzette valley. The Chemin de la Corniche, built along the cliff, overlooks the valley and the Grund quarter; inside the cliff, the Bock Casemates form a maze of stone galleries where gun positions and lookout openings can still be seen. The old quarters and fortifications of Luxembourg City were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1994. The casemates were dug from the cellars of the medieval castle, expanded from the 17th century under Spanish rule, and further extended by French and Austrian engineers (the Austrian work dating mainly from around 1745); at their height they reportedly totalled about 23 km, and about 17 km remained after the fortress was partly dismantled in 1867. The main gallery is about 110 m long and 7 m wide. Because it was so hard to take, the fortress is often called the "Gibraltar of the North."
Local customs
- In the morning, walk the Chemin de la Corniche for the full valley view, then go down into the Bock Casemates for about an hour
- afterwards, see the exterior of Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Grand Ducal Palace in the upper town, and stroll along the river in the Grund quarter
- if you have the energy, take the Pfaffenthal lift between the upper and lower town.
Etiquette & taboos
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- Do not leave the open route in the casemates
- do not push in low, narrow passages
- do not run on the cobbles in the rain
- the casemates are not advisable for people with severe claustrophobia
Locals appreciate DO
- Follow the indicated direction and stay on the open route
- bring a light jacket into the casemates
- wear non-slip shoes
- keep quiet in churches and memorial sites
- visit the casemates in the morning if you can
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- Tickets for the Bock Casemates are budget-friendly — check the official site for details
- the casemates are open for most of the year, with shorter hours in winter and possible closures on holidays, so check the official schedule. It is cool inside and the ground is uneven with many steps, so wear non-slip shoes and bring a light jacket even in summer.
- The old town sights are within walking distance of the city center
- second-class public transport is free throughout Luxembourg, including buses, trams and trains, buses run into town from the airport, and the railway station has trains to Paris, Brussels and German cities. Spring to autumn is the best time to visit
- summer afternoons are busier, so enter the casemates in the morning
- in autumn the valley is rich in color, ideal for photographs from the walkway.
Photos
Photos
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yeowatzup · CC BY 2.0
FrDr · CC BY-SA 4.0