The creation of Luxembourg dates back to 963 and it became a fortified place that never ceased to gain in power and wealth. Over the centuries and through the various hardships, the city was handed down and coveted, conquered and annexed, and mysteriously reappeared at the head of a sovereign state, while so many other entities were absorbed by greedy neighbours.

02. Gëlle Fra

Declared neutral and stripped of its defences, the city was easy prey during the two world wars. Although quickly overwhelmed, its fighters continued the war with the Allies. The Monument of Remembrance pays homage to those who perished and is the site of many patriotic ceremonies, under the gaze of the golden woman, Gëlle Fra, symbolising Victory.

03. Grand Ducal Palace

The foundations of the palace date back to the 16th century, it was restructured in the 18th century and modernised in the 1990s. The palace is mainly used for official receptions while the grand-ducal family lives outside the city. In front of the gate, a modest guard of honour entertains tourists, and the palace can also be visited during the summer months.

04. Cathedral

Originally a Jesuit church in 1621, it was not until the 19th century that the diocese was created and a cathedral status conferred. In a region where the Reformation raged, Luxembourg has always promoted Catholicism, associating it with many public events. Several former sovereigns are buried in the crypt.

05. Arbed

Luxembourg has by far the highest GDP per capita in the European Union. Its modern wealth was formed at the end of the 19th century with the iron and steel industry, then the basic sector of the Industrial Revolution. Arbed became a dominant international group before merging into Arcelor and being taken over by Mittal in 2006. At this point, for a long time, wealth had come from elsewhere.

06. Spuerkeess

Finance now generates almost half of the national income, with 150 international banks operating in the country. The Caisse d’Epargne, founded in 1856, is still owned by the State, which uses its financial power to guide its economic policies. It is also involved in social and cultural activities and is a patron of many initiatives.

07. Adolphe Bridge

The city centre of Luxembourg is surrounded by deep valleys, which once ensured its defence but became a limit to its expansion. Large spectacular bridges were therefore built, such as the Adolphe Bridge in 1903, named after the Grand Duke of the time. Its recent renovation allowed the passage of the tramway and the creation of a pedestrian and bicycle suspended platform under the bridge.

08. Grund

Seen from above, the old Grund district looks like an aerial postcard with its neat little houses and the Neumünster abbey, which became a hospice for the poor and then a prison in a smelly tanners’ district. Today it is a fashionable place with restaurants and cultural centres, where it is possible to stroll peacefully along the Alzette River.

09. Kirchberg

On the outskirts of Luxembourg, this vast agricultural plateau has become the playground of contemporary architects. European institutions and banks have built futuristic headquarters here, along the Avenue JF Kennedy, which has been humanised by the arrival of the tramway. Housing and leisure activities now complete this modern urban landscape.

10. European institutions

Luxembourg is one of the three statutory seats of the European institutions, along with Strasbourg and Brussels. It is home to the Secretariat of the Parliament and of judicial authorities. Given its small size, this influx of qualified and well-educated civil servants has contributed to raising the cultural level of the city, further increasing its international opening.