LUXEMBOURG

Luxembourg is one of the world’s smallest countries, tucked in between Belgium, France and Germany.  Luxembourg is a Grand Duchy, the only one in the world. There are three official languages: French, German, and Luxembourgish. Nearly 90% of Luxembourgers are Roman Catholic.  We visited the capital, Luxembourg City and the nearby American Military Cemetery.

LUXEMBOURG CITY

The city of Luxembourg is known as the landlocked “Gibraltar of the North” because of its once-fortified position.  It is set above the cliffs that flank the canyon-like valleys of the Alzette and Petrusse rivers.  Today the city is more fairy tale than fortress, but its elegant towers, spires and turrets and its attractive walls of golden sandstone helped the city win designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We started our walking tour at the Place de la Constitution, which offers a nice view of the Perusse Valley and the impressive bridge that spans it.  The tall Monument du Souvenir in the center of the square is a memorial to those who have perished in wars.

 

The great cliffs of the Petrusse and Alzette valleys are honeycombed with tunnels, stairways, and chambers called the Casemates, hollowed out of rock during the 17^th and 18^th centuries.  Originally, the network of Casemates measured over 14 miles and accommodated thousands of soldiers, as well as their horses and supplies.  Today, only about 10 miles survive.

The Cathedral de Notre Dame (Cathedral of Our Lady) was built between 1613 and 1621; its steeples form a striking part of the city’s skyline.  It is gothic in design, but has a Renaissance-style entrance.  It holds the royal family vault and has a beautifully painted ceiling. 

 

Near the cathedral is a bronze statue of Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg from 1911-1964.

The Grand Ducal Palace is home to Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg.  The building is a much-renovated and extended replacement of a medieval town hall that was destroyed by fire in 1554.   The oldest part of the building dates back to 1572, while the “new” right wing was built in 1741. 

Luxembourg City’s Old Town lies between the Grand Duke’s Palace and the high cliff of the Alzette River.  The area is small, lying within narrow streets and squares, with the feeling of medieval times.  It once was the heart of the community outside the castle walls.   

The Place Guillaume II is the town square in the heart of the old city.  It is home to the City Hall and an equestrian statue of the former Grand Duke William II.

The Place d’Armes is a second square in the old town, originally used as a parade ground for troops defending the city.  Today, it’s a pedestrian zone, surrounded by cafes and restaurants.  We visited one of these for a delicious lunch of quiche, salad and crème brulee.  Yum. 

We also stopped at the U.S. Military Cemetery, just outside of the city.  It was established in December 1944 by the U.S. Third Army while Allied Forces were stemming the enemy's desperate Ardennes Offensive, one of the critical battles of World War II. The city of Luxembourg served as headquarters for Gen. George S. Patton's U.S. Third Army.  

 

The Cemetery is the final resting place for over 5,000 of the 10,000 Americans who fell in Luxembourg during World War II.  Many of these lost their lives in the Battle of the Bulge and in the advance to the Rhine River. There are 101 graves of unknown soldiers and airmen, and 22 sets of brothers buried side by side.  General George Patton also is buried here.