The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a constitutional monarchy
located in Western Europe bordering Belgium to the north and
west, France to the south and Germany to the east. (A grand
duchy is defined as a territory with a head of state who is
a Grand Duke or Grand Duchess).
Travel Insurance for Luxembourg:
Area: Europe *
Know Before You Go:
FCO Country Advice for Luxembourg
Luxembourg ’s history began in 963 when Count Siegfried
of the Ardennes built a castle there, which later became a fortress
(known as Gibraltar of the North). It became a grand duchy in
1815 when Luxembourg gained independence under the King of the
Netherlands after the Netherlands gained independence. The country
then gained full independence in 1867. At the time of writing,
Luxembourg is the only existing grand duchy. The Grand Duke and
12 ministers have executive power, while the power to legislate
lies with a Parliament elected by the voting public over 18 years
of age. The country’s size is approx: 50 miles long x 33
miles wide and yet it contains a diversity of terrain, from the
scenic, hilly and forested Ardennes in the north with its medieval
castles and areas of rock formations, to fertile farmland in
the south and the iron-ore basin (site of former steel factories),
and the Moselle wine-producing area to the east. The four main
rivers in the country are the Moselle , the Alzette, the Our,
and the Sure. Some of the oldest parts of Luxembourg city became
a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994.
To protect itself from foreign invasions, Luxembourg built
strong walls with many forts along it, and an underground network
of tunnels and caves, known as Casemates. Much of the fortress
was taken down in the 1860s under the Treaty of London but many
remains of this past era still exist. Luxembourg ’s history
is also evident in many of the landmarks such as Art Nouveau
buildings and Spanish look-outs on the city walls. There are
many cultural attractions, including the building which was used
as both a prison and a convent and now is the venue for cultural
events and exhibitions. The duchy was occupied by Germany during
both WWI and WWII.
The population is comprised mainly of Celtic people with a
French and German mix, Portuguese, Italian, Slavs and other Europeans.
The national language is Lëtzebuergesch ( Luxembourgish
- a French/German dialect), with French and German both being
used for general purposes and French for most administrative
purposes. For most governmental purposes French or German may
be used, depending on the circumstances. The dominant religion
is Roman Catholic with some Protestant and Jewish.
Luxembourgians enjoy a high standard of living and it is also
a highly industrialised country. The country lost its neutral
status after joining NATO in 1949, and then in 1957 it was one
of the founding countries of the EEC (European Union). In 1999
the Euro was introduced as currency to replace the Luxembourg
Franc.
Luxembourg City has plenty of attractions, including the Museums
of Natural History and History and Art. There are the modern
and high-tech offices of hundreds of international banks throughout
the city mixed in with the historical buildings. The Place d’Armes,
formerly used by the military, is now the main square and a popular
gathering place with its restaurants, cafes and bandstand with
live music performances. Luxembourg is known for its sophistication,
world-class restaurants and wonderful cuisine. Not to be missed
is a tour of the Bock Casemates (the underground fortifications).
There is a lot to see in Luxembourg . For a start you might try
the Wenzel Walk which is a good start on your exploration of
the city, and will take you to the old quarter and the Castle
Bridge .
The National Museum of Military History in the Ardennes is
the place for history buffs, where there is plenty to fascinate,
and also some comprehensive information about the Battle of the
Bulge. There are many other military and general museums, as
well as the City Museum and a Bank Museum .
The magnificent Vianden Castle sits overlooking the River Our
in the Ardennes . This 11 th C castle has exhibits of antique
weapons, armour, furniture and tapestries. The town of Vianden
is also worth a walk with its gothic churches. The French writer,
Victor Hugo, spent some time there during his exile and his house
is now a museum. The medieval town of Echternach , north of Luxembourg
City , is worth a visit for its wealth of sights.
Because a large percentage of the country is forested, it is
perfect for backpacking and camping and there are camp sites
throughout the countryside. There are many hiking, cycling and
walking trails and the Ardennes area has unusual rock formations
for climbing. There are approx. six golf courses in Luxembourg
. For water sports enthusiasts there are several lakes, including
the Upper Sure Lake which offers swimming, sailing, windsurfing,
water-skiing, kayaking and canoeing. Fishing is available in
designated rivers and lakes
In the Mullertal, or area known as Little Switzerland, as well
as golfing, castles to explore and a Roman villa
The Moselle wine-growing area, named after the River Moselle,
is on the German border. Wine tasting trips and tours are available,
as well as a Wine Museum , Butterfly Garden , Casino and boat
trips. |
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