MILITARY ARCHITECTURE

In the Middle Ages the Counts, then the Dukes of Luxembourg fortified the towns depending on their strategic importance. In view of its proximity to the French and German borders, Luxembourg occupied a strategic position on the chess-board of international politics.. From 1443 to 1839, like the Belgian provinces, it came under the rule of six foreign powers. The Burgundians, Spanish, French, Austrians, Dutch and Prussians gradually transformed the city of Luxembourg into one of the most important fortresses in the world, known as the "Gibraltar of the North".

Rocher du Bock, Luxembourg

The defence of the city was guaranteed by three fortified belts with 24 forts and 16 other strong fortifications and an extraordinary underground network of 23 km of casemates which could house not only thousands of soldiers with their equipment and horses, but also workshops, kitchens, bakeries and slaughterhouses. In parallel with the technological development of weapons, the fortifications were adapted to the new conditions, extended and preceded by new separate defences.

On 11 May 1867, the Treaty of London declared the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg "perpetually neutral" and the fortress of Luxembourg was dismantled.

Classification as UNESCO World Heritage Site The modern and cosmopolitan capital of Luxemburg is a definitely human-sized city. The traces left by history fuse with the effervescence of current life. This valuable mix is one of the pillars of the city's identity, a melting pot of cultures with a rich history. According to the description of a French author in the early years of the 19th Century, Luxemburg was an impressive fortress comparable to the site of "Gibraltar", which had the reputation to be unseizable. Its strategic position between the French Kingdom and the German Empire explains why the citadel of Luxembourg was one of the major strongholds in Europe, from the 16th Century all through its dismantlement in 1867. The citadel grew stronger and greater with the comings and goings of the European powers (the Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, the House of Burgundy, the Habsburgers, the Kings of France and of Spain, and finally the Prussians). The greatest fortress engineers from all over Europe, including Vauban, left their marks. Today, the stronghold of Luxemburg embodies this common European history. Both the military and civil buildings, bathing in surprisingly natural surroundings, determine the architectural outlook of the old city. The admiration it compels resulted in 1994 in the classification as UNESCO Since 1992 the association « Frënn vun der Festungsgeschicht Lëtzebuerg a.s.b.l. » (Friends of the History of the Luxemburg Stronghold) devotes itself to the promotion of the major national historical monument of the country, the stronghold of Luxemburg city, through the organisation of guided visits. Internet: www.ffgl.lu E-mail: contact@ffgl.lu P.O. Box 711 L-2017 Luxembourg

ECHTERNACH

The town walls dating back to the 12th century were 2km long and were reinforced by 14 towers and 6 gates. After the partial demolition of the wall around 1850 to facilitate the expansion of the town, there are only five towers and the ruins of the former moat remaining. Certain towers have been restored and are rented out to tourists.

ESCH-SUR-SÛRE

The only remains of the town walls of Esch-sur-Sûre, dating from the start of the 15th century, are a few rare ruins and a former watch-tower. The old town walls were partly incorporated into the construction of non-military buildings. Nowadays, the line of the town wall of Esch-sur-Sûre clearly delineates the distinction between the old town and the new districts.

Thematic circuit with "audio-guide" "The Mysteries of Esch-sur-Sûre". Rental in the House of the Nature Park.

GREVENMACHER

The Moselle valley town still has several remains of its town walls, dating back to the 13th century. A 13th century watch-tower was incorporated as a belfry in the classical style parish church.

There are promenades along all the remaining parts of the town walls. Special leaflet from the Tourist Office.

10 route du Vin
L-6701 Grevenmacher
Tel. +352 75 82 75
Fax +352 75 86 66

E-mail: sitg@pt.lu
Website: www.grevenmacher.lu

LUXEMBOURG

The Three Towers (1050), ruins of the second town wall.

The Wenceslas wall, with its semi-circular towers.

Wenceslas wall

The 'Rocher du Bock' citadel. In 963, the Ardennes count Sigefroi chose the 'rocher du Bock' rock on which to built his citadel. The site played a significant role for the military in strategic terms. Surrounded on three sides by the Alzette valley, the site was only accessible from the west and was thus easy to defend. Sheltered by this rock is the archaeological crypt and casemates of the Bock.

• The Bock Casemates

The renown of Bock as an extraordinary fortification was established under the reign of the Austrians in the 18th century. Underground works were done from 1737 to 1746 in order to house 50 canons and a garrison of 1,200 men. The superstructure of Bock, a very important structure, was razed to the ground in 1875 save for one tower. It also contains the archaeological crypt that testifies to the first constructions of the castle by the first Counts of Luxembourg.

The underground fortifications are daily opened from 30.05 to 31.10 from 10 AM to 5 PM. Guided visits on request, Tel. +352 4796-2709.

• Casemates of the Pétrusse

Their origins date back to 1644, when the Spanish modernised the mediaeval fortifications and built large bastions, like the Beck bastion, whose platform is now occupied by the Place de la Constitution and which, once reinforced, is one of the rare fortifications still largely intact. Maréchal de Vauban gave the Pétrusse Casemates their current form, and the Austrians set up the Pétrusse Battery in 1746.

Open: Easter, Whitsun and during school holidays from 11 AM to 4 PM.

• Citadel of the Holy Spirit

• The Way of the Corniche

• Spanish Watch Towers

The name of these towers recalls the long period (16th and 17th century) when the Spanish carried out large amounts of work on the fortifications. The watch towers completed the fortification works above deep ravines.

• The State Archives

This building was built in the 19th century during the period of the Germanic Confederation, to serve as a military hospital for the Prussian garrison. In 1968, the building became the headquarters of the National Archives, which stages temporary exhibitions there on subjects of a historic character.

Internet: http://anlux.lu

VIANDEN

The upper town of Vianden has retained a large proportion of its town walls with 24 towers and 5 gates. One tower has been completely restored and converted into a home. Promenades run along part of this town wall built of local slate. None of the town's gates now exist.

Thematic visits in Luxembourg city • Wencelas walk, "1000 years in 100 minutes". This cultural and sightseeing circuit starts from the Bock and the Corniche, runs along the rue Sosthène Weis, crosses the Wenceslas wall and culminates at the Tour Jacob. In the first storey of this tower, which offers a superb panoramic view, an audiovisual presentation gives the explanations necessary about all the fortifications and in particular the town walls. Throughout the circuit, explanatory signposts supplement the information about the history of this old part of Luxembourg. • The Vauban itinerary, which bears the name of the famous engineer Sébastien le Prestre de Vauban (1633-1707) runs through part of the fortress city dating from the 17th to 19th centuries, from the Pfaffenthal to the edge of the plateau of Kirchberg. • Mansfeld Walk. Pierre Ernest Mansfeld was governor of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg from 1540 to 1604. A 4.7 km route will take you to the ruins of his former chateau, and will lead you to the fortifications of modern times. Departure from the car park of the Mousel Brewery in Clausen. Luxembourg City Tourist Office, Place Guillaume II, P.O. Box 181, L-2011 Luxembourg. Tel. +352 22 28 09 or +352 4796-2709, Internet: www.lcto.lu, E-mail: guides@lcto.lu • The touristic train "Pétrusse Express" runs daily from March to October from 10 AM to 6 PM (every thirty minutes, except at 1 PM). Departure at the 'Place de la Constitution'. Groups by prior arrangement. Sales-Lentz, Tel. +352 26 65 11, Internet: www.sightseeing.lu The fortress in the Museums The National Museum of History and Art (www.mnha.lu) contains a copper scale model from 1903 showing the appearance of the fortress in 1867, the year when it was decided to demolish it after the Treaty of London. The City of Luxembourg Museum of History (www.musee-hist.lu) presents the urban development within the fortifications. The Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art (www.mudam.lu), designed by I.M.Pei and the Museum "Dräi Eechelen" (under construction), designed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, are located in the ancient Thüngen Fort. Musée Dräi Eechelen 26 rue Münster Tel. +352 478 6650 Fax +352 46 17 79 E-mail: monique.becker@ssmn.etat.lu