Luxembourg city

Luxembourg (Luxembourgish: Lëtzebuerg; French: Luxembourg; German: Luxemburg), also known as Luxembourg City, is the capital city of Luxembourg and the country’s most populous commune. Standing at the confluence of the Alzette and Pétrusse rivers in southern Luxembourg, the city lies in the center of Western Europe, situated 213 km (132 mi) by road from Brussels and 209 km (130 mi) from Cologne. The city contains Luxembourg Castle, established by the Franks in the Early Middle Ages, around which a settlement developed. As of 31 December 2025, Luxembourg City has a population of 137,696 inhabitants, which is more than three times the population of the country’s second most populous commune (Esch-sur-Alzette). Foreigners represent 69.5% of the city’s population, whilst Luxembourgers represent 30.5% of the population, making it the commune with the highest proportion of foreign residents in Luxembourg. In 2024, Luxembourg was ranked by the IMF as having the highest GDP per capita in the world at $140,310 (PPP), with the city having developed into a banking and administrative centre. In the 2019 Mercer worldwide survey of 231 cities, Luxembourg was placed first for personal safety, while it was ranked 18th for quality of living. Luxembourg is one of the de facto capitals of the European Union (alongside Brussels, Frankfurt and Strasbourg), as it is the seat of several institutions, agencies and bodies, including the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Court of Auditors, the Secretariat of the European Parliament, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, the European Investment Bank, the European Investment Fund, the European Stability Mechanism, Eurostat, as well as other European Commission departments and services. The Council of the European Union meets in the city for three months annually. History In the Roman era, a fortified tower may have been constructed to guard the crossing of two Roman roads that met on the territory of what is now Luxembourg City. Some of the earliest known settlements within modern city boundaries were established by Frankish colonizers in the Alzette valley around what is now Dommeldange, Pfaffenthal and the Grund. As of 926, 73 inhabitants were living in the valley between Dommeldange and Clausen. The city, because of its location and natural geography, has through history been a place of strategic military significance. The first fortifications were built as early as the 10th century. By the mid-13th century and the reign of Countess Ermesinde, who granted the city its charter in 1244, Luxembourg had expanded westward around the new St. Nicholas Church (today the Cathedral of Notre Dame), with new walls built that included an area of 5 hectares (12 acres). In about 1340, under the reign of John the Blind, new fortifications were built that stood until 1867. 18th-19th century The first casemates appeared in the 17th century. Spain began constructing tunnels in 1644, creating 23 kilometers of underground structures. Then, under French rule, Marshal Vauban expanded them. In the 1730s and 1740s, under Austrian rule, the casemates were expanded even further. During the French Revolutionary Wars, Luxembourg was occupied by the French twice. The first time, the city was captured briefly in 1792–1793. Later, after a seven-month siege, Luxembourg fell. Despite its defense, the Austrian garrison eventually capitulated. As a result, Luxembourg was annexed by France and became part of the Forêt department. Luxembourg City itself was granted the status of a prefecture. Under the Treaty of Paris in 1815, which ended the Napoleonic Wars, Luxembourg came under Prussian military control and became part of the German Confederation. However, sovereignty over the city remained with the House of Orange-Nassau, which was in personal union with the Netherlands. Following the Luxembourg Crisis, the 1867 Treaty of London ordered the dismantling of Luxembourg’s fortifications. The city then occupied 127 hectares (310 acres), and the surrounding fortifications covered 177 hectares (440 acres). The Austrians first established a 1-kilometer (0.62 mile) building perimeter in 1749 for security reasons, preventing further expansion. The dismantling of the fortifications, symbolizing the city’s opening, took sixteen years and cost 1.5 million gold francs. During this time, more than 24 kilometers (15 miles) of underground structures and 4 hectares (9.9 acres) of casemates, batteries, and barracks were destroyed. The Prussian garrison was also forced to leave the city. 20th century Despite Luxembourg’s efforts to remain neutral during World War I, the city was occupied by Germany on August 2, 1914. At the end of the occupation, an attempted communist revolution broke out in the city. On November 9, 1918, the communists declared a socialist republic, but it lasted only a few hours. In 1920 and 1921, Luxembourg’s borders expanded significantly. The communes of Eich, Hamm, Hollerich, and Rollingergrund merged with the city, increasing its area to 51.52 km². Luxembourg became the largest commune in the country and retained this status until 1978. In 1940, Germany reoccupied Luxembourg. The Nazis refused to grant autonomy to Luxembourgers and integrated the country into the Third Reich. The capital’s streets received new German names; for example, Avenue de la Liberté became “Adolf-Hitlerstraße.” Luxembourg was liberated on September 10, 1944, and its borders were restored to their pre-war status. In December 1944 and January 1945, the city was bombed by German V-3 cannons. After the war, Luxembourg ended its neutrality, and became a founding member of several inter-governmental and supra-governmental institutions. In 1952, the city became the headquarters of the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community. In 1967, the High Authority was merged with the commissions of the other European institutions. Luxembourg remains the seat of the European Parliament’s secretariat, as well as the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Court of Auditors, and the European Investment Bank. Several departments of the European Commission are also based in Luxembourg. The Council of the EU meets in the city for the months of April, June and October annually. Attractions Old City The Ville Haute was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1994. The origin of the city was a fort built in the 10th century and had to be demolished in most parts in the 19th century. Kathedral Notre Dame Notre Dame Cathedral is the Catholic cathedral of the Archdiocese of Luxembourg, located in southern Luxembourg. It was originally a Jesuit church, and its cornerstone was laid in 1613. It is the only cathedral in Luxembourg. The church is an example of late Gothic architecture; however, it also has many Renaissance elements and adornments. Groussherzogleche Palais The Grand Ducal Palace is the official residence of the grand duke of Luxembourg, and where he performs most of his duties as head of state of the grand duchy, though his principal residence is Berg Castle, in Colmar-Berg. Bockfiels The Bock is a promontory in the north-eastern corner of Luxembourg City’s old historical district. Over the centuries, the Bock and the surrounding defenses were reinforced, attacked, and rebuilt time and time again. Ruins of the old castle and the vast underground system of passages and galleries known as the casemates continue to be a major tourist attraction. Abtei Neimënster Neimënster Abbey, officially known as Neumünster Abbey until 2014, is a public meeting place, cultural centre, and former Benedictine abbey located in the Grund district of Luxembourg City in southern Luxembourg. Plëss d’Arem The Place d’Armes is centrally placed in the old town. It attracts large numbers of locals and visitors, especially in the summer months. It originally served as a parade ground for the troops defending the city. Stadhaus Stad Lëtzebuerg Luxembourg City Hall is the centre of local government. Because of its position in Luxembourg’s capital, it regularly hosts foreign dignitaries. It is located on the southwestern part of Place Guillaume II (nicknamed Knuedler), the main square in the centre of the city. The two-storey building is built in neoclassical style. Ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, commonly referred to as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is a ministry of the government of Luxembourg, which comprises a general secretariat and eight directorates. The ministry is headquartered in the Bâtiment Mansfeld in Luxembourg City. Festung Lëtzebuerg The Fortress of Luxembourg is the former fortifications of Luxembourg City, which were mostly dismantled beginning in 1867. The fortress was of great strategic importance for the control of the Left Bank of the Rhine, the Low Countries, and the border area between France and Germany. Geschichtsmusée vun der Stad Lëtzebuerg The Lëtzebuerg City Museum illustrates the thousand-year history of the City of Luxembourg with both permanent and temporary exhibits. Founded on 22 June 1996, it was designed by Luxembourg architect Conny Lentz. Gëlle Fra The Monument of Remembrance, usually known by the nickname of the ‘Golden Lady’, is a war memorial. It is dedicated to the thousands of Luxembourgers who volunteered for service in the armed forces of the Allied Powers during both World Wars and the Korean War as well as the Luxembourgers who volunteered in the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War. The Gëlle Fra is situated on Place de la Constitution, in the Ville Haute quarter. Spuerkeessgebai The Spuerkeeess Building, designed by architect Jean-Pierre Koenig, was built to house the Luxembourgish bank Spuerkeess. The building was inaugurated on November 15, 1913. It is located on Place de Metz near the Adolphe Bridge and features a French-inspired Neo-Renaissance style with Art Nouveau elements. Transport Public transport in Luxembourg City, like in the rest of country, has been free since 29 February 2020, including rail, bus and tram. Highways Luxembourg is situated in the heart of Europe in the Gold Triangle between Frankfurt, Paris, and Amsterdam. It is therefore connected to several motorways and international routes. In fact, almost all motorway in Luxembourg pass through here. Bus Luxembourg City has a network of 40 bus routes, operated by the municipal transport authority, Autobus de la Ville de Luxembourg (AVL). Rail Luxembourg City’s territory is served by five railway stations operated by the state railway company, the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois (CFL). Stations in Luxembourg City are served by domestic rail services operated by CFL, as well as international rail services, operated by CFL, and German, Belgian, and French service providers. Services to Zürich in Switzerland are available via two daily scheduled international trains. Tram In December 2017, trams were reintroduced to the capital, with the phased opening of a new line, line T1, completed in March 2025, which runs between Luxembourg Airport and the Stade de Luxembourg, via the city centre. The network is expected to have 4 lines by 2035, with future lines currently in the planning stages. Air Luxembourg City is served by the only international airport in the country: Luxembourg Airport (IATA code: LUX, ICAO code: ELLX). You can get to the airport by buses 6, 16, and 29, as well as by tram T1. The airport is the principal hub for Luxembourg’s flag carrier, Luxair, and one of the world’s largest cargo airlines, Cargolux. See also France travel guide Spain travel guide Catalonia travel guide Pyrenees travel guideThe post Luxembourg city first appeared on All PYRENEES.