Bock Casemates, A testament to military architecture

Clausen Hill, 1343 Luxembourg

A well-preserved fortress

4.2

Introduction

The Luxembourg Castle, also known as the Bock Fortress, is located in the northeast corner of the old city area of Luxembourg. Its rocky cliff towers are surrounded by the Alzette River on three sides and have strong natural defense capabilities. The future prosperity and development of Luxembourg were also derived from the "Little Castle" built here by Count Siegfried in 963. Numerous fortifications, attacks, and reconstructions have made the castle a witness to history, with Burgundians, Habsburgs, Spaniards, Prussians, and French all competing for this military fortress. It was not until the 1867 "London Agreement" requiring the removal of defenses that the war was stopped. Although the powerful walls no longer exist, the castle still attracts visitors from all over the world, and the magnificent underground art galleries and corridors still amaze people. Initially built in 1644, the castle was located in a military fortress dug into the mountain, and after expansion under the guidance of French military engineer Vauban, it became a daunting project. There are 23 kilometers of underground tunnels beneath the castle, with underground defense channels built at different geological levels and extending 40 meters below ground. Although the fortress was demolished in 1867, the original appearance of the batteries is still preserved within the 17-kilometer-long city walls, which were listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994. Inside the castle, visitors can not only admire the underground fortifications and battery appearance from the past but also learn about the detailed introduction of the fortress and exhibits of some historical relics, making the castle an important site to understand Luxembourg's military history.

Address

Clausen Hill, 1343 Luxembourg

Opening hours

From March 1 to November 3, 10:00-17:00.

Transportation

Take Bus No.9 from Hamilius Transport Hub in the city center to Um Bock; Turn right at the first intersection on the left side of the Grand Ducal Palace, and walk down to the bridge at the edge of the canyon.