Hollenfels: modernising a youth centre in a castle with a thousand-year history

23 July 2025 marked the symbolic start of the renovation and expansion of the Service national de la jeunesse (SNJ) youth centre in Hollenfels. The event was attended by Ministers Yuriko Backes and Claude Meisch as well as the Mayor of Helperknapp, Paul Mangen.

Hollenfels Castle, located in the picturesque "Valley of the Seven Castles", has been a national cultural monument since 2022. Since being handed over to the state in 1948, it has undergone a transformation from a tourist resort to a centre for educational work with young people. Today, it is divided into three functional zones: the castle itself with the donjon tower, the youth hotel and the adjacent park.

The building is actively used by SNJ as a site for sustainability programmes, while the buildings facing the village are managed by Auberges de jeunesse luxembourgeoises.

The project involves the modernisation of all buildings with particular attention to accessibility and environmental standards. The main hotel building from the 1960s will be almost completely rebuilt. All 30 rooms are quadruple rooms with individual bathrooms, including two rooms for people with reduced mobility. Lifts and ramps are planned.

In addition, there will be a bistro and restaurant with a panoramic terrace, a bicycle garage and a car park for 20 cars. 10 training and conference rooms will remain in the historic premises of the castle and tower.

The project is characterised by its focus on sustainable technologies: thermal insulation using sustainable materials, rainwater harvesting, green facades and solar panels. All of this is in line with the Hollenfels Centre's mission to educate young people about responsible interaction with the environment.

Claude Meisch emphasised the importance of creating such spaces: "We have a duty to prepare the new generation to actively participate in sustainable development - this is not an abstract goal, but a concrete action here and now".

Large-scale archaeological excavations were carried out in parallel with the design. The damp soil has preserved unique artefacts, from shoes and wooden objects to coins and a medieval game of 'millinery'. Particularly notable are the remains of a defence system with a double moat, bridge structures and ammunition, making Hollenfels an important site for historians.

This is why the project integrates archaeological conservation measures, making it a model of balance between new functions and the protection of historical heritage.

The total budget of the project is 31.9 million euros including VAT. The client is the Ministry of Mobility and Public Works together with the Administration of Public Buildings.