Luxembourg

Before I get into my impression of Luxembourg and tell y’all about some of it’s history I feel I should mention the most influential part of my stay in Luxembourg. Going into this trip I was warned about two things: a darkness that lives within humanity, those who are composed of dishonesty and prey on the weak to better themselves, and flat tires. Unfortunately, I don’t bike when I’m stationed in cities so it wasn’t the flat tire. As I walked to retrieve my bike from the bike rack I had locked it at, so that I could begin my 90 kilometer ride to Saarbrücken, I noticed something strange. There was nothing there. No bike, no lock, nothing. Fear, confusion, disappointment, despair, anger all rushed into my mind as I dropped everything and crumbled onto the street. After getting in contact with a voice of reason, that being my brother. I was able to pull myself together and file a police report and inevitably book a bus ride to Saarbrücken. Apparently Luxembourg has a very large and organized bike theft problem and the probability of retrieving stolen bikes is slim to none.

As much as those last hours in Luxembourg have consumed my mind for the past 36 hours the rest of my trip to luxembourg was quite lovely. Luxembourg is a unique town in that it is a fortress. Now I know what you’re thinking, weren’t most European cities fortresses at one point in time? Yes, but Luxembourg is the ideal fortress. It’s on a hill surrounded by towns about 50 meters below the core of the city. Many buildings and much of the infrastructure can still be traced back to when Luxembourg was first constructed in the late Middle Ages. To limit Luxembourg to it’s old town however, would be an atrocious mistake. A bridge length away from the city center is essentially another city, the modern city. Boasting buildings such as the Philharmonie and skyscrapers as far as the eye can see this portion of Luxembourg houses the center of the EU and truly establishes the character of the finance center of Europe. Speaking about finances, fun fact coming up, banking is not actually how luxembourg made its fortune. Steel made this little city into the economic power house that it is today. Furthermore, Luxembourg’s willingness to make risky investments when no other country would makes Luxembourg’s economy a strange one. When satellites were first being developed luxembourg back a project with 2/3 of their governments budget because the banks wouldn’t and now they had a large share in the satellite industry. In addition, many entrepreneurs now are flocking to luxembourg because they have established laws making space mining possible. Walking into Luxembourg I certainly did not expect the amount of innovation that is happening there. Luxembourg is a true testament to how cities in Europe are able to grow with the future while maintaining there past and I immensely enjoyed my time there… that is until the last morning.

Museums/landmarks:

Adolphe Bridge

One of many bridges in Luxembourg this bridge connects the inner city with it’s outer, more modern, parts. It’s views, while stunning, are not what set this bridge apart from the rest however. Underneath this bridge there is a walkway for bikers and pedestrians to stop and enjoy their view on their commute, not having to worry about or be disturbed by the traffic above them.

City Skyliner

This may have just been a stroke of luck for me. City Skyliner is a mobile company which transports the largest viewing tower all around Europe. They’ve been to Luxembourg three times however due to the owners love of the city. The video below will take you on the 360 degree journey that I went on 🙂

Contemporary Art Museum

When one tries to go to as many museums as possible in a city, the potential to find strange ones is extremely high. The contemporary art museum in Luxembourg falls into this strange category. With exhibitions that equate artists and human beings to houses and evocatively creepy films this museum is truly an experience. Don’t get me wrong, there were parts of it that made me think more deeply about a certain topic, but I still find myself preferring other styles of art than contemporary.

Golden Lady

This statue was erected after the First World War in honor of those who chose to enroll in the French army (Luxembourg is a neutral state and therefore cannot hold an army). During World War Two however the German army occupied Luxembourg and had plans to destroy the statue, but the night before the statue was set to be destroyed it magically disappeared. While no one really knows what happened that night the theory is that students at the local college took it down in the middle of the night and hid it. The hid it so well in fact that it was only found in the 1960s. The statue now commemorates World War I and II veterans as well as Luxembourg’s spirit of resistance.

Luxembourg City Museum

This 5 story museum takes you through this cities wonderfully complicated and fickle history. Starting with when it was first settled and ending with the future of this city you are really able to see how much change this city has gone through and how many countries have influenced what we now call the city of Luxembourg.

Modern Art Museum

Walking into this museum it is clear that is houses modern art. The building is surrounded by nature and simplistic and smooth in style making simply walking through the museum, regardless of the art, a joy. Housing multiple different artistic mediums and styles this museum encapsulates the European modern art movement.

National Museum of Art and History

This was my favorite museum in Luxembourg. Taking you through the history of the Luxembourg area (before and after it was a city). You are able to see how humanity evolved and in turn how the city evolved into the city it is today. Furthermore, the art collection there, albeit small, is spectacularly diverse.

Notre Dame Cathedral

It’s not the one your thinking of, but it’s still really cool. The Cathedral’s modern and traditional aspects flawlessly integrate making it transcend centuries. Furthermore, the international architecture that it displays is wonderful… you can see Incas etched into the carvings due to Spanish missionaries helping with the construction of the church. Also, architecture students give free tours of the Cathedral which are super insightful, so if they’re there when you go check it out.

Philharmonie

While I was not able to go into this concert hall the outside building is still stunning and a really fun place to check out when you visit.

Saint Michael’s church

This tiny church is the oldest in Luxembourg and has an interesting history attached to it. When the French invaded Luxembourg, the first time, they ended up destroying the church , but King Louis’ wife was catholic, very catholic and scolded him. So the church was rebuilt and no bears the seal of King Louis.

Scenic Lift

I ended up finding this place on my walk over to the modern art museum. It’s an elevator that brings you from the valley onto the hill and vice versa. Connected to it however, is a viewing deck where you can view Luxembourg and stand on glass to look directly down at the valley below.

*Promenade of Luxembourg

While this is not a viewpoint, museum, or building I thought I should mention it. This cheap, two hour tour, takes you through Luxembourg with a fun guide and gives you incites into the entire city. It’s a really good way to both meet people and learn about the cities history while you walk through it.

Restaurants/Food:

Chocolate House Nathalie Bonn

This lovely, little, local shop was the second place I visited when I got to Luxembourg. I wanted to find a cafe of sorts where I could get away from the rain and enjoy some hot chocolate and s found this place on my way over to the cafe I was originally going to go to. With a huge selection of different kinds of hot chocolate, cake, and bonbons this place is a must when you want to unwind.

Colisée

If you want to both eat unhealthily and eat healthy this is the place to go. With a selection of salads and other superfood heavy items as well as a myriad of pastries this place can satisfy your every desire.