Luxembourg's casemates: the history of the city's underground labyrinths
The casemates in Luxembourg are a national treasure and a source of pride. They have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994 for a reason. We invite you to experience the fascinating world of underground fortresses with us.
Bock Casemates
The Bock casemates have a rich history. In fact, this place is considered to be the very cradle of Luxembourg. It was precisely a fortress of the first ruler, Siegfried, that appeared here in 963.
According to legend, his wife was the lovely Melusine, who kept an amazing secret. Every week she would lock herself in her room for 1 day and 1 night and ask her husband not to disturb her during that time. One day, Siegfried could not resist his curiosity and peeked into his wife's chambers and discovered that she had a fishtail. After that, Melusina disappeared into the waters of the Alzette River, never to be seen again.
Unfortunately, at the moment Bock casemates are closed. However, it is possible to take a virtual tour of this fascinating place.
Pétrusse Casemates
Another monumental structure. These ancient underground catacombs have also served as defensive forts and later became tourist attractions. It was for a long time forbidden to visit the casemates, as the frequent flooding posed a threat to the life and health of visitors: the vaults could collapse at any moment.
The problem was solved fairly recently, and the stone arches now offer tourists a new appearance and a much safer one. Numerous installations, lighting, and stunning views from the battlements make it a must-see for anyone who wants to learn more about Luxembourg's culture and history.
Admission here, however, is not free. Ticket prices range from 7.5 to 15 euros. It is free only for children under 4 years old. You can visit the casemates every day with a guided tour in four official languages. The guides lead groups from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., so don't miss out!
Casemates are underground structures in a fortress or fortress, which are protected from artillery fire. Sometimes they were used to accommodate the garrison, to store ammunition, food, etc. Casemates were also occasionally known as prison cells if a fortress was used as a prison.
