Since moving to Luxembourg, I've come to appreciate the stunning architecture, particularly of Luxembourg City. Amidst the contemporary malls and complexes in Ville Haute (the city center) and the skyscrapers of Kirchberg (the business district), the old quarters and fortifications of Luxembourg City look like something out of a fairytale!
The old fortifications of the city date back to the Roman Empire, with some of the earliest settlements of the city recorded in the 900s. Luxembourg City was built on the banks of two rivers, and most of the old foritfications were constructed on the edge of a very steep valley, making the city a very strategic military location. Additionally, Luxembourg is located between some of the great military powers of history -- Austria, Germany, Belgium and France -- meaning that it was frequently invaded and occupied. However, all of these countries also influenced the architecture of the city, so the old quarters of Luxembourg include a fascinating architectural mix of Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance and Medieval styles.
Because of this rich history, the old quarters and military fortifications in Luxembourg City were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994!
