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BOOKMARK Gastronomic weekends
Gastronomic weekends: 2 days: 160-175 € per person 3 days: 232,50-255 € per person.
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In the Middle Ages the Counts, then the Dukes of Luxembourg fortified the towns depending on their strategic importance. In view of its proximity to the French and German borders, Luxembourg occupied a strategic position on the chess-board of international politics.. From 1443 to 1839, like the Belgian provinces, it came under the rule of six foreign powers. The Burgundians, Spanish, French, Austrians, Dutch and Prussians gradually transformed the city of Luxembourg into one of the most important fortresses in the world, known as the "Gibraltar of the North".
The defence of the city was guaranteed by three fortified belts with 24 forts and 16 other strong fortifications and an extraordinary underground network of 23 km of casemates which could house not only thousands of soldiers with their equipment and horses, but also workshops, kitchens, bakeries and slaughterhouses. In parallel with the technological development of weapons, the fortifications were adapted to the new conditions, extended and preceded by new separate defences. On 11 May 1867, the Treaty of London declared the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg "perpetually neutral" and the fortress of Luxembourg was dismantled.
ECHTERNACH
The town walls dating back to the 12th century were 2km long and were reinforced by 14 towers and 6 gates. After the partial demolition of the wall around 1850 to facilitate the expansion of the town, there are only five towers and the ruins of the former moat remaining. Certain towers have been restored and are rented out to tourists. ESCH-SUR-SÛRE 
The only remains of the town walls of Esch-sur-Sûre, dating from the start of the 15th century, are a few rare ruins and a former watch-tower. The old town walls were partly incorporated into the construction of non-military buildings. Nowadays, the line of the town wall of Esch-sur-Sûre clearly delineates the distinction between the old town and the new districts. Thematic circuit with "audio-guide" "The Mysteries of Esch-sur-Sûre". Rental in the House of the Nature Park. GREVENMACHER The Moselle valley town still has several remains of its town walls, dating back to the 13th century. A 13th century watch-tower was incorporated as a belfry in the classical style parish church. There are promenades along all the remaining parts of the town walls. Special leaflet from the Tourist Office. 10 route du Vin E-mail: sitg@pt.lu LUXEMBOURG The Three Towers (1050), ruins of the second town wall. The Wenceslas wall, with its semi-circular towers.  Wenceslas wall The 'Rocher du Bock' citadel. In 963, the Ardennes count Sigefroi chose the 'rocher du Bock' rock on which to built his citadel. The site played a significant role for the military in strategic terms. Surrounded on three sides by the Alzette valley, the site was only accessible from the west and was thus easy to defend. Sheltered by this rock is the archaeological crypt and casemates of the Bock. • The Bock Casemates  The renown of Bock as an extraordinary fortification was established under the reign of the Austrians in the 18th century. Underground works were done from 1737 to 1746 in order to house 50 canons and a garrison of 1,200 men. The superstructure of Bock, a very important structure, was razed to the ground in 1875 save for one tower. It also contains the archaeological crypt that testifies to the first constructions of the castle by the first Counts of Luxembourg. The underground fortifications are daily opened from 30.05 to 31.10 from 10 AM to 5 PM. Guided visits on request, Tel. +352 4796-2709. • Casemates of the Pétrusse  Their origins date back to 1644, when the Spanish modernised the mediaeval fortifications and built large bastions, like the Beck bastion, whose platform is now occupied by the Place de la Constitution and which, once reinforced, is one of the rare fortifications still largely intact. Maréchal de Vauban gave the Pétrusse Casemates their current form, and the Austrians set up the Pétrusse Battery in 1746. Open: Easter, Whitsun and during school holidays from 11 AM to 4 PM. • Citadel of the Holy Spirit The
building in 1685 of two bastions and a ravelin facing the city cut off
the Plateau du St-Esprit from the urban area, to form a citadel
reinforced on the south side by ramparts. • The Way of the Corniche Built in 1632 by the Spanish, then in 1685
by Vauban, this formidable ramparts, which still tower 35 m above the
lower town, live up to their name of "Balcony of Europe". The Plateau du
Rham has not only retained impressive towers from the Wenceslas wall,
but also the Vauban barracks (1684/85), the ruins of house of du Rham,
the well-digger above Grund. • Spanish Watch Towers  The name of these towers recalls the long period (16th and 17th century) when the Spanish carried out large amounts of work on the fortifications. The watch towers completed the fortification works above deep ravines. • The State Archives This building was built in the 19th century during the period of the Germanic Confederation, to serve as a military hospital for the Prussian garrison. In 1968, the building became the headquarters of the National Archives, which stages temporary exhibitions there on subjects of a historic character. Internet: http://anlux.lu VIANDEN
The upper town of Vianden has retained a large proportion of its town walls with 24 towers and 5 gates. One tower has been completely restored and converted into a home. Promenades run along part of this town wall built of local slate. None of the town's gates now exist. A historic trail "Intra Muros - Extra Muros" (length: 1.4 km) was constructed along the walls. Brochure available at the tourist office, Tel. +352 83 42 57-1, www.vianden-info.lu.
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Both
the military and civil buildings, bathing in surprisingly natural
surroundings, determine the architectural outlook of the old city. The
admiration it compels resulted in 1994 in the classification as 
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