LUXEMBOURG CITY

20th - 23rd MAY 2004

Luxembourg City is a World Heritage Site because of its splendid fortifications. The city lies at the confluence of the rivers Alzette and the Petrusse, which have formed gorges round a natural strongpoint. As Luxembourg has been at the centre of Western Europe, for centuries it has been fought over and each succeeding invader fortified these natural defences of the city. Eventually, in 1867, the country was declared to be neutral and some of the walls were demolished, but still wars raged over its lands. Luckily, today we can still admire what remains of the formidable defences, as well as the superb views from the citadel.

Our City Safari will also explore the valleys of the Alzette and Petrusse, where the townsfolk lived close to the defences, and where they pursued their daily lives near the rivers which powered textile mills and tanneries, as well as providing water for breweries. We will see the remains of these industries and admire how the 18^th and 19^th century buildings have recently been restored.

The Old Town and the river

(c) Paul Saulter

Fabulous stained glass window in the Gare Centrale

(c) Sue Hayton

In the 19^th century, the city began to expand outside its walls, when transport became easier with the arrival of the railway. We will see the fabulous Gare Centrale, dating to 1912, with its associated waiting room for the Royal Family, and with not one, but two, 19^th century round houses close by. In the station quarter are a number of interesting early 20^th century buildings, including several impressive offices, banks and hotels, including our own hotel with its colourful art deco glass. The small banking museum in the splendid headquarters of the National Bank will reflect the more recent history of the city as a centre of banking and its position in the European Community. The old city centre, too, has its fair share of beautiful public buildings, including the Royal Palace, as well as many banks and shops. The mixture of ages of buildings from the mediaeval to the 20s art deco, in such a small area, is most unusual.

Public utilities, of course, will feature in our Safari, from the old gasworks close under the city walls, to the modern facility on the outskirts, from the water works on high ground in the northern suburb of Limpertsberg to the former tram depot in the same area. We will also visit the Tramway Museum recently opened by the city in a brand new building. An unusual item here is an old Ford truck converted into a tram way maintenance vehicle. There are no trams now in the city.

Not forgetting street furniture too!

(c) Paul Saulter

A view from the top of the fortifications

(C) Paul Saulter

Perhaps some of the unsung glories of the city are its many bridges, at high and low level, which cross the gorges. We can marvel at the skill of the railway engineers who pushed their lines though tunnels and over viaducts in the city, as well as the civil engineers who facilitated road traffic. We will cross the so-called ‘Viaduc’ from the new to the old city on a stone arch bridge some 30m above the river below, an amazing bridge crossing what is little more than a stream!

So our Safari in one of Europe’s smallest capitals will have the familiar mix of city centre and working suburbs with a little extra - the magnificent military engineering and bridge building, never mind the splendid food!