More Luxembourg Prominent Attractions

Grand Ducal Palace

The Grand Ducal Palace is a palace in Luxembourg City. It 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. There were no guards present which means the Grand Duke was not in residence when we were there.

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After walking around for awhile, several passengers were looking for a water closet.   Our guide directed us to the Chocolate House which had a WC downstairs.   The stairs were very narrow and had enough room for only one person at a time.

Casemates

The most prominent attractions include the "casemates" or bunkers, which are among the longest subterranean tunnels in the world. The casemates that once formed an extraordinary network of 23 km were carved into the rocks of the city and are a top attraction in Luxembourg City. Not only did they provide shelter for thousands of defenders with their equipment and horses, but they were also home to workshops of artillery and armaments, kitchens, bakeries, slaughterhouses, etc.


Chemin de la Corniche

Also called “the most beautiful balcony of Europe” (according to the Luxembourg writer Batty Weber), it runs along the Alzette valley on the ramparts - built by the Spaniards and the French in the 17th century - from the Bock Promontory up to the lower part of the Holy Ghost Citadel, the so-called “Rondellen”.

Up to the year 1870 the Corniche had staircases in steep parts which were leveled off only after the dismantling of the fortress. Moreover the greatest part of the protecting wall with its loopholes was cleared away so as to disclose a superb panorama on the valley of the Alzette, the city district of Grund and the Rham Plateau.

Place de la Constitution

The Constitution Square was put up on the ancient Beck bastion (1644, 1685). The "Gëlle Fra", a monument which is located on this square, was set up in 1923 to commemorate the Luxembourgers who perished in the First World War, today it sympolises freedom and resistance for the Luxembourg people.

From here you have a superb view over the Pétrusse Valley and the Adolphe Bridge.

Viaduct

The Old bridge – in common parlance – was built between 1859 and 1861 to cross the Pétrusse valley at a height of 45 metres.

It consists of 24 arches spanning either 8 or 15 m The total length is 290 metres whereas the slight curve in the middle is the result of military and strategic considerations.
etres and of pillars up to 30 metres high.

 
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Luxembourg City

 

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Luxembourg City Tour

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Motor Coach to

Luxembourg

Following lunch, we boarded a motor coach for our optional tour to the capital of Luxembourg. The scenic ride took about 45 minutes from our ship's docking location in Grevenmacher.

Because of its location and natural geography, Luxembourg City has, throughout history, been a place of strategic military significance, the first fortifications having been built as early as the 10th century.

The city center occupies a picturesque site, perched high on precipitous cliffs that drop into the narrow valleys of the Alzette and Pétrusse rivers.

A local guide acquainted us with the city, whose layout is complex as it is set on two levels, straddling hills and dropping into the two river valleys.  Earlier there had been some rain, evident by the wet sidewalks and streets, but it was lovely while we were there.

 Walking  Tour

Our tour began at The Monument of Remembrance, usually known by the nickname of the Gëlle Fra ('Golden Lady'). This war memorial in Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg, is dedicated to the thousands of Luxembourgers who volunteered for service in the armed forces of the Allied Powers during World War I.

  Town Hall

Located on William Square, it was built between 1830 and 1838 in neo-classical style. The stones of the old Franciscan monastery, dismantled in 1829, mainly went into its construction. In 1931 two bronze lions were added to flank both sides of the outdoor stairs.

The edifice is the seat of the city administration and houses the plenary hall of the municipal council.

A little bit further you will find the Luxembourg City Tourist Office.


Equestrian Statue of William II


This bronze statue was set up on William Square to pay tribute to the King and Grand Duke William II of Nassau-Orange. He ruled from 1840 to 1849 and, one year before his death, granted the Grand Duchy its first parliamentary constitution, one of the most liberal in Europe at the time.

The riding figure of William II is the work of the French sculptor Antonin Mercié; the statue of the horse is by Victor Peter. The pedestal of the monument reveals the coat of arms of the House of Orange-Nassau and of Luxembourg and the ones of the 12 cantons of Luxembourg.

From William Square, we walked to the Notre-Dame Cathedral which we will cover in a separate post.

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Drive to Luxembourg

Luxembourg City

 

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Zurich Boat Tour

Round Trip Lake Zurich

Our final destination was Bürkliplatz, a dock and the starting spot for tours on Lake Zurich. Once again we were able to take advantage of the transportation benefit of the ZürichCARD for a 30 minute round tip boat ride on Lake Zurich.

We only had a short wait before the boat arrived. We decided to sit outside to get a good view of the lake and surroundings.

When the Weather is Hot ...

Head for the Water

Zurich is acity of water par excellence, where bathing is a cult. Everyone finds a place to cool down with a summer swim in the river or lake.   We saw many people enjoying the various outdoor pools during our boat trip.   

Some of those same water spots turn to nightclubs when the sun goes down.   (click on images to enlarge).


Back to the Hotel

After taking a few photos of  the statue of Ganymede and Zeus (represented as an eagle) at Bürkliplatz, on the shore of Zürichsee (Lake Zürich), we headed back to our hotel.  This time we decided to take the S-Bahn S7 train back to Movenpick Hotel.   Both the tram and train tracks are about two blocks from the hotel.   The train was much faster than the tram since there were fewer stops.   

Since it was after 7:30 PM, it was now time to call it a day.  We'd been on the go since landing around 7:15 AM.   When traveling overseas, it is a good idea to stay active and then go to bed in the evening so that you start to get accustomed to the time change.   

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Zurich - Boat Trip

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Remembering the Costa Concordia Victims

Filippo Monteforte / AFP - Getty Images

Life-vest, rope and helmets recovered from the Costa Concordia are seen
during a mass celebrated on Sunday in the Isola del Giglio's church.

Remembrance Mass San Lorenzo Church

Giglio, Italy

Perched atop a hill overlooking the waterfront, The Lorenzo e Mamiliano Church became a safe haven for passengers of Costa Concordia, that had been rescued from the sinking ship on 13 January 2012.

Father Lorenzo tended to their spiritual and technological needs that weekend as he offered prayers and the use of his computer, so that families could contact love ones to tell them they were safe.

The Madonna recovered from the chapel of the Costa Concordia

One week later, Father Lorenzo once again offered prayers, during Sunday mass, for the victims of this terrible tragedy providing reassurance and comfort to the families still awaiting word about their loved ones.

It is fitting that this church sits atop a hill overlooking the port where Costa Concordia sits perched precariously on the rocky shore.  When people look up hoping for answers, they see this church, and can take comfort that God is still watching down on those that work tirelessly to find the remaining victims.

Many of the town's people of Giglio have opened their homes and hearts to the passengers and relatives who have unexpectedly converged on this tiny Italian village.  

This Madonna statue, rescued from the Costa Concordia, is another symbol of hope amidst this tragedy.  Mary's eyes seem to be looking into our very souls providing reassurance and comfort.

The sounds of the rescue continue to fill the air near the stricken ship while atop this hill, there can be a retreat from those sounds allowing for thoughts and prayers for the victims, families, friends, survivors, and anyone involved in this incident.

MAIN BLOG POST (Updated several times since the accident)

Costa Concordia Listing after Deadly Accident