Pfaffenthal, Vauban

Luxembourg is full of life. With its international flair and the many languages that echo through its streets, it is a modern, vibrant city. Yet at the same time Luxembourg is a place in which history is very much a sensory experience. The remains of the old fortress, the “Gibraltar of the North”, from which the city and country were defended in times gone by, are to be found everywhere. A view of the mighty walls from the leafy Grund district, while strolling along the Alzette past the Neumünster Abbey, is especially beautiful. From this vantage point one can look up at the impressive Bock cliffs, one of the most important UNESCO sights. The subterranean casemates are the longest in the world, with windows carved out of the stone at regular intervals. Nowadays, the structural witnesses of this defensive past blend harmoniously with the cityscape. Many of them have undergone a metamorphosis. For example, you need to take a closer look and explore the interior to discover the fortress walls beneath the Villa Vauban built in the classical style in 1873. Today’s art museum is surrounded by a lavishly laid out magnificent park, which invites you to stroll and breathe deeply. A visit to the Dräi Eechelen Museum in the vicinity of the Mudam Contemporary Art Museum is a trip into both past and present at once. In turn, the latter building is a symbiosis of past and present. Surrounded by fortress walls, the museum itself is a modern and impressive edifice by star architect Pei, with exhibition rooms bathed in light, showcasing contemporary art. One thing is evident in Luxembourg: the UNESCO World Heritage remains are not redolent of a museum but rub shoulders with modernity. A city characterised by tolerance and conviviality, it is a city that is “Naturally Europe”. Experience UNESCO in the Visitor Center At the heart of the world heritage site is the “UNESCO Visitor Center” in the Lëtzebuerg City Museum, a place for immersing oneself in UNESCO world cultural heritage history, its significance and distinctive features. Displays, some of them interactive, show the protected Old Town and Fortifications. Anyone looking out of the window can compare models and drawings directly with reality. And anyone completing the 2.5 km long UNESCO Old Town and fortress walking tour can experience the world heritage site in less than 90 minutes. UNESCO programme and up-to-date information

The circuit bears the name of the famous French military engineer, active during the reign of Louis XIV, Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban (1633-1707). Appointed commissioner for fortifications at the age of just twenty-two, Vauban built or enlarged more than 160 fortresses in total. When he arrived in Luxembourg with the French enemy troops, the Spanish held sovereignty over the fortified city, which from the Middle Ages onward had been ruled by a number of foreign powers in turn. Following the traces of Vauban (General Commissioner for Fortifications), you will discover sites that bear witness to Luxembourg’s military past, experience the medieval charm of the old Lower Town of Pfaffenthal and, from the fortified heights, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Developed into a federal fortified city during the Prussian era, Luxembourg was deemed impregnable right up until its demolition.

The Wenzel circular route takes you through the 1000-year history of the city of Luxembourg. During the route, you will discover the oldest districts of the capital as well as preserved fortifications, which were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. Among other things, this route takes you to the Bock Rock (the cradle of the city of Luxembourg), the castle bridge built in 1735, and the Corniche panorama path, known as "the most beautiful balcony in Europe." The route was named in memory of Wenzel II, Duke of Luxembourg between 1383 and 1419. During his reign, part of the third ring wall, the so-called Wenzel Wall, was built to protect the residents of the valley. It is possible to book this route as a guided tour with a guide.

Also called “the most beautiful balcony of Europe” (according to the Luxembourg writer Batty Weber), it runs along the Alzette valley on the ramparts - built by the Spaniards and the French in the 17th century - from the Bock Promontory up to the lower part of the Holy Ghost Citadel, the so-called “Rondellen”. Up to the year 1870 the Corniche had staircases in steep parts which were levelled off only after the dismantling of the fortress. Moreover the greatest part of the protecting wall with its loopholes was cleared away so as to disclose a superb panorama on the valley of the Alzette, the city district of Grund and the Rham Plateau.