Page 231 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

BEL GIUM AND L UXEMBOURG  229

6 Luxembourg Vianden
* 1,600. @ n 1a Rue du Vieux
One of Europe’s smallest sovereign states, the Grand Duchy of Marché (83 42 57). Château de
Luxembourg is often overlooked by travelers in Europe. The Vianden: Tel 83 41 08 1. Open Apr–
capital, Luxembourg City, is well known as a world center of Sep: 10am–6pm; Oct, Mar:
international finance, but behind the modern face of the city 10am–5pm; Nov–Feb: 10am–4pm.
Closed Jan 1, Dec 25. & 8
lies a rich history stretching back more than 1,000 years. The
northern half of the country boasts some spectacular scenery, Surrounded by medieval
especially the Ardennes, a region of dense forests, deep ramparts, Vianden, in the
valleys, and hilltop castles. Historic towns such as Vianden and Luxembourg Ardennes, is a
Echternach are good bases for exploring the countryside and popular tourist destination. The
main attraction is the 11th-
offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities.
century Château de Vianden.
Its rooms feature a range of
architectural styles, from the
Romanesque to the Renaissance.
A cable car takes visitors to
the top of a nearby hill, giving
superb views of the castle.
Echternach
* 4,000. @ n 9–10 Parvis de la
Basilique (72 02 30). Abbey Basilica:
Open daily. Abbey Museum: Open
Apr, May & Oct: 10am–noon, 2–5pm
daily; Jun & Sep: 10am–noon, 2–6pm
daily; Jul & Aug: 10am–6pm daily. &
∑ echternach-tourist.lu
Luxembourg City, with its aqueduct and hilltop historic center Located in Petite Suisse (Little
Switzerland), a picturesque
Luxembourg City Ducal has been the official royal region of wooded hills north-
residence since 1890. The oldest east of the capital, Echternach
* 92,000. k 6 km (4 miles) E. £
@ n 30 Place Guillaume II (22 28 parts of the building, which is dotted with fine medieval
09). ∑ lcto.lu used to be the town hall, date buildings, including the 15th-
from the latter half of the 16th century turreted town hall. The
Luxembourg City enjoys a century. Nearby, the Cathédrale star sight, however, is the
dramatic location, set atop Notre-Dame was begun in Benedictine abbey, founded by
hills and cliffs rising above the 1613. Inside is a fine Baroque St. Willibrord in the 7th century.
Alzette and Pétrusse valleys. The organ gallery by Daniel Muller. The crypt of the abbey basilica
town grew up around a castle Two museums worth visiting (c.900) contains some glorious
built on a rocky promontory, are the Musée National frescoes. There are good walks
known as the Rocher du Bock, d’Histoire et d’Art, which has and cycle routes in the
in AD 963. The castle was a good archaeological section surrounding countryside.
destroyed in the late 19th and a collection of ancient
century by the city’s inhabitants, and modern sculpture and
but some of the fortifications paintings, and the Musée de
have been preserved, most l’Histoire de la Ville de
famously the Bock and Pétrusse Luxembourg, which focuses
Casemates. These huge on the city’s historical past.
networks of underground
defensive galleries, which date + Casemates
back to the 17th century, not Bock Casemates: Montée de Clausen.
only provided shelter for Open Mar–Oct: 10am–5pm. &
thousands of soldiers, but also Pétrusse Casemates: Place de la
housed workshops, kitchens, Constitution. Open Easter, Whitsun, &
bakeries, and slaughterhouses. end May–mid-Sep: 11am–4pm. &
The Crypte Archéologique du E Musée National d’Histoire
Bock has displays and an et d’Art
audiovisual presentation on the Place Marché aux Poissons. Tel 47 93
history of the city’s fortifications. 301. Open 10am–6pm Tue–Sun. & Medieval town hall in the Place du
Luxembourg City’s Palais Grand 8 7 Marché, Echternach

228-229_EW_Europe.indd 229 14/07/16 10:14 am