Luxembourg, Gibraltar of the North

For a thousand years, Luxembourg was a fortress city until being dismantled in 1867. Its nickname “Gibraltar of the North” compared the city to the impregnable rock of Gibraltar. From the south, to the east and the north-east was surrounded by the deep valleys of River Petrusse and River Alzette. Mighty remparts were a barrier to access on the west and north-west side.

Luxembourg originated from the word “Lucilinburhuc”. Why is it synonymous with a small fortress? Sigfried, the count of the Ardennes, acquired a rocky promontory from the St. Maximin Abbey in Trier in 963 AD. “Lucilinburhuc” was a small stronghold situated there. It was elevated to the status of Duchy in 1354, and did not succumb until Philip the Good seized it in 1443.

A new era began when Luxembourg was integrated into the territory of the Netherlands, and drawn with them into the duel between Valois-Bourbons and Habsburgs indulged from 16th to 18th centuries. For example, the city changed hands four times in the strife between Francis I and Charles V, before it rested in those of the Habsburgs at last.

A war almost broke out between Napoleon III and Bismarck in 1867. Thanks to the Treaty of London, the Grand Duchy was declared a neutral state, and the fortifications of the Capital were ordered to be dismantled. The conflict between Bourbons and Habsburgs had Luxembourg at the very front line between France and Germany, yet it was avoided at the last moment.

Today, Luxembourg has a population of 100,000 with the world’s top GDP per capita rankings. Jean Monnet, one of the founding fathers of the EU, described “the small city has become a cross-roads of Europe”. Coupled with Strasbourg and Brussels, they are the 3 EU headquarters. Firms and enterprises emerged, and contributed to this second biggest European financial center.

The remains reflect the modern traffic issue. Adolphe Bridge, aka New Bridge, was erected between 1900 and 1903, during the rule of Grand Duke Adolphe. The double arch spans  over 85 m across the Pétrusse valley, making it the world's biggest stone arch. On the other side, the Passerelle, aka Old Bridge, is currently carrying road traffic across the Pétrusse valley.

While this scenic capital has a Unesco-listed old core, there are much more hidden gems to be discovered. The “Winterlights” market takes place every Christmas in Kinnekswiss, where it was designed by the Parisian landscape architect Edouard André. Besides, William Square was reconstructed in the 18th century, featuring open air concerts and feasts in a modern way.

Fun Fact:

The legendary mermaid Melusina married Count Siegfried in one condition: she wanted to be alone in absolute privacy every Saturday. However, jealousy led this first count of Luxembourg to break his promise. When he secretly observed her taking a bath, he discovered a fishtail of her bottom half. Soon after, Melusina disappeared into the depths of the river Alzette.