Luxembourg is one of the few countries still ruled by a Grand Duke. As LonelyPlanet describes it, the City is a storybook beauty. "A thousand years old and World Heritage listed, this charming city -- often described as Europe's most dramatically sited -- radiates a composed air of old and new." The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a constitutional monarchy, is an independent sovereign state, tucked between Belgium, France and Germany and has a tiny population of a little more than 500,000 as of 2010. Here we explored the city center, the historic old town (a UNESCO heritage site), starting from the Place de la Constitution and Pont Adolphe (and the Viaduct), to the Place d'Armes (the main square), Palace of the Grand Dukes, and Hotel de Ville (City Hall). Also called New Bridge, Adolphe Bridge was erected between 1900 and 1903 during the rule of Grand Duke Adolphe. This event was followed with great interest from abroad, because the bridge had the biggest stone arch in the world up to then (a double arch spanning more than 85 mts across the Pétrusse valley at a height of 42 mts, and a total length of 153 mts). As an integral part of the pedestrian zone, surrounded by lots of street cafés, restaurants, shops (and flea market), Place d'Armes is a large square where the young and the old, the locals and the visitors meet. The market square hosts Cercle Municipal, or City Palace, an administrative building with several festival halls. From 1953 to 1969 the European Community for Coal and Steel used it as a venue for meetings and conventions. Built between 1572-74, the Renaissance style building near Place d'Armes has been the Grand Ducal Palace since 1890. Moorish-style Palais Grand-Ducal was the official royal residence, but today it is used as the Grand Duke's office and for formal receptions. A few meters walk away is another plaza, known as William square, named after William II, King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg. Since the middle of the 13th century, this square has accommodated the church and the monastery of the order of Saint Francis, and not only the Town Hall (built between 1830 and 1838 in neo-classical style) and the Luxembourg City Tourist Office, but also plenty of markets, open air concerts and feasts. The Cathedral of Notre Dame contains the tomb of a 14th century Count of Luxembourg. The main altar, where the nation's most revered idol, the Lady Comforter of the Afflicted, a small and elaborately dressed statue of the Virgin and child, is situated. The cathedral's black spires add character and balance to the city's distinctive skyline. We also stumbled upon a directional sign to the Bibliotheque National (but unfortunately it was almost 7pm and as expected, closed). Upon reaching our hotel, a 4-star hotel not very far from the city center (MELIA Hotel International), we took turns taking photos of the lobby, outside of the lobby, and our room. One immediately went to the gym for a workout, while the other browsed the Net on her iPad (at 4 euros per hour of Internet use).

• published: 06 Sep 2011
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