Luxembourg City

Luxembourg City is the capital of Luxembourg and its largest city. It is located where the Alzette and Pétrusse rivers meet in southern Luxembourg, right in the heart of Western Europe. The city is close to major cities like Brussels and Cologne.

The city has a rich history, beginning with Luxembourg Castle, built by the Franks in the Early Middle Ages. Today, Luxembourg City is home to many people from around the world, with foreigners making up almost 70% of its population.

Luxembourg City is very important for Europe. It is one of the de facto capitals of the European Union, hosting many key institutions and agencies. The city is also known for its safety and high quality of living, and it has one of the highest incomes in the world.

History

See also: Fortress of Luxembourg

Development as a fortress

In ancient times, a tower might have been built to guard where two Roman roads crossed near what is now Luxembourg City, though some historians think no such structure existed there. Some of the first known settlements in the city were created by Frankish people in the Alzette valley around places like Dommeldange, Pfaffenthal, and the Grund. By the year 926, about 73 people lived in the valley between Dommeldange and Clausen.

In 963, a leader named Siegfried I gained control of a small castle called castellum Lucilinburhuc, which was built around the 9th or 10th century on what is now the Fish Market. He then began building a larger castle on the Bock Fiels ("rock"). In 987, an important church leader named Egbert consecrated five altars in a church that is now St. Michael's Church. The Fish Market grew around a Roman road crossing near this church, and the city began to develop from there.

Because of its location, Luxembourg has always been important for defense. The first walls were built in the 10th century. By the mid-1300s, under Countess Ermesinde, the city had grown and new walls were built. In about 1340, under John the Blind, even stronger walls were added and remained until 1867.

The city was taken over by different groups over time, including the Burgundians under Philip the Good. Luxembourg became part of bigger empires like the Burgundian, Spanish, and Austrian empires. The castle was made stronger and by the 1500s, Luxembourg was one of Europe's strongest fortresses. Many groups, including the Burgundians, Spanish, French, Austrians, and Prussians, took control of Luxembourg over the years.

In the 1600s, underground tunnels called casemates were built. First, Spain dug about 23 km (14 mi) of tunnels starting in 1644. Later, under French and Austrian rule, these tunnels were made bigger.

During wars in the late 1700s, the city was taken by France twice. After a long siege, a French leader called it one of the best fortresses in the world. Eventually, the Austrian soldiers surrendered, and Luxembourg became part of France.

Transition to a modern city

After agreements in 1867, Luxembourg had to tear down its walls and defenses. This opened up space for the city to grow. The city had been very small, but in 1920 and 1921, it grew much larger by joining nearby areas like Eich, Hamm, Hollerich, and Rollingergrund. This made Luxembourg City much bigger.

In 1940, Germany occupied Luxembourg again. The city’s streets were given new German names. After World War II, Luxembourg decided not to stay neutral anymore and joined many international groups. Today, Luxembourg City is home to important European offices like the European Parliament's secretariat, the Court of Justice of the European Union, and the European Investment Bank.

Geography

Topography

Luxembourg City is located in the southern part of the Luxembourg plateau, a large Early Jurassic sandstone area that forms the heart of the Gutland, a flat region covering most of southern Luxembourg.

The city centre is set on high cliffs that drop into the narrow valleys of the Alzette and Pétrusse rivers, where they meet. The deep gorges cut by these rivers are crossed by many bridges and viaducts, such as the Adolphe Bridge, the Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge, and the Passerelle. Even though Luxembourg City isn’t very large, its layout is quite complex because it sits on several levels, straddling hills and dropping into the two gorges.

The city covers an area of over 51 km² (20 sq mi), which is about 2% of Luxembourg’s total area. This makes it the fourth-largest commune in Luxembourg and the largest urban area. Luxembourg City isn’t very crowded, with about 2,600 people per km². Many parts of the city are kept as parks, forests, or important historic sites (especially the UNESCO sites), and there are also large areas of farmland within the city limits.

Districts of Luxembourg City

Main article: Districts of Luxembourg City

Luxembourg City is divided into twenty-four districts (called quartiers in French). These districts match the main neighborhoods and suburbs of the city. Some historic areas, like Bonnevoie, are split between two districts.

Climate

Luxembourg City has an oceanic climate (Cfb), with moderate rainfall, cool to cold winters, and warm summers. The sky is cloudy about two-thirds of the year.

Demographics

Government

Local government

See also: Luxembourg communal council and List of mayors of Luxembourg City

In Luxembourg, local government centers around the city's communal council. This council has twenty-seven members who are elected every six years. The council is led by the mayor, who is the leader of the largest party on the council. The Democratic Party has been the leading party and has provided the mayor since 1969.

National government

Luxembourg City is where the Luxembourg Government operates. The Grand Ducal Family lives at Berg Castle in Colmar-Berg.

European institutions

Luxembourg City is home to several important European Union institutions. These include the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Commission, and the European Investment Bank. Most of these institutions are located in the Kirchberg quarter, in the northeast part of the city.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Luxembourg

Luxembourg City, though small, has many interesting places to visit. You can see art and history at museums such as the National Museum of History and Art, the Luxembourg City History Museum, the Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art, and the National Museum of Natural History.

The city also has two main theaters, the Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg and the Théâtre des Capucins, plus a concert hall called the Philharmonie. There is also a music school with a big hall for performances. You can find art in places like the Villa Vauban, the Casino Luxembourg, and Am Tunnel.

Luxembourg City was chosen as a special place for art twice. The first time was in 1995. In 2007, it shared this honor with a city in Romania, Sibiu, to help people from nearby areas share ideas and culture.

The city is also known for its many restaurants, including some that have won top awards.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Main article: Old City of Luxembourg

Luxembourg City is a special place protected by UNESCO because of its old walls and buildings. This special area is mostly in the Ville Haute part of the city.

Sport

The ING Europe Marathon happens every year in Luxembourg City. Many people run and watch this event.

There is also a tennis tournament called the Luxembourg Open that takes place each October.

The biggest sports stadium in the country is the Stade de Luxembourg in Gasperich. It can hold many people for sports like football and rugby, as well as big concerts.

Another big indoor place is d'Coque in Kirchberg. It is used for sports such as basketball, handball, gymnastics, and volleyball. It also has a large swimming pool.

Two football teams from Luxembourg City, Racing FC Union Luxembourg and F.C. Luxembourg City, play in the top leagues of the country. The Stade de Luxembourg is where the Luxembourg national football team plays its home games.

Places of interest

Luxembourg City has many interesting places to see, such as the Cathedral of Notre Dame, old walls, an underground art gallery called Am Tunnel, the Grand Ducal Palace, a statue called the Gëlle Fra that honors people who fought for their country, hidden passages called casemates, a big church named Neimënster Abbey, a main square called the Place d'Armes, the famous Adolphe Bridge, and the city hall. The city is also where the RTL Group is located.

During the Second World War, there is a place called the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial in the area known as Hamm. It honors American soldiers who served during that time, including a well-known leader named George S. Patton. There is also a memorial for Americans whose remains were never found.

Transport

Highways

Luxembourg is located in the middle of Europe, between Frankfurt, Paris, and Amsterdam. It has many highways and international roads.

• A1 (E44): to Grevenmacher and Trier (Germany).
• A3 (E25): to Dudelange and Thionville (France).
• A4: to Esch-sur-Alzette and to A13 to Pétange, Athus (Belgium) and Longwy (France).
• A6 (E25 / E411): to Arlon and Brussels.
• A7 (E421): to Mersch and Ettelbruck.

Public transport

Public transport in Luxembourg City, like in the rest of the country, has been free since 29 February 2020. This includes trains, buses, and trams.

Rail

Luxembourg City has five train stations run by the state rail company, the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois (CFL). The main station, Luxembourg station, is the end point for all train lines in the country. Trains in Luxembourg City are operated by CFL, as well as by German, Belgian, and French companies. Luxembourg station is also connected to the French LGV Est network, offering fast trains to Paris and Strasbourg. There are also trains to Basel and Zürich in Switzerland.

Bus

Luxembourg City has 40 bus routes run by the city's transport authority, Autobus de la Ville de Luxembourg (AVL). Some routes are run by private companies. There is a free bus service for seniors called the "Joker Line" and a night bus service. There is also a "Park & Ride" system with five parking lots connected to the buses. Besides AVL buses, CFL and RGTR run buses to other places in Luxembourg and nearby cities in Germany and France.

Tram

Trams stopped running in the city from 1875 to 1964. In December 2017, trams started running again. The first line, line T1, finished in March 2025 and goes between Luxembourg Airport and the Stade de Luxembourg, through the city centre. The tram network is planned to have 4 lines by 2035.

Air

Luxembourg City has one international airport, Luxembourg Airport (codes: IATA: LUX, ICAO: ELLX). The airport is located in Sandweiler, about 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) from the city centre. Buses and the city tram, line T1, go to the airport. The airport is the main base for Luxembourg's airline, Luxair, and for one of the world's largest cargo airlines, Cargolux.

International relations

Luxembourg is part of a group of cities called the QuattroPole, which includes Trier, Saarbrücken, and Metz. These cities are located in nearby countries such as Germany and France.

The city of Luxembourg has partnerships, known as twin towns or sister cities, with several places around the world. Some of these include Metz in France, Tambov Oblast in Russia, and Prague in the Czech Republic.

Main article: List of twin towns and sister cities in Luxembourg

Image gallery

• Luxembourg City as seen from a Sentinel-2 satellite

• Skyline of the Hollerich quarter

• The Gëlle Fra monument honors people who served in the armed forces of the Entente.

• The gorges and Adolphe Bridge

• View of the Luxembourg center cityscape from Cité Judiciaire

• The Center of Luxembourg City with the Pulvermuhl Viaduct

• Cité Judiciaire in Luxembourg