Industrial heritage

The worldwide industrial revolution left many deep scars on the landscapes of Luxembourg – especially in the mining regions of the south, the cradle of Luxembourg’s iron and steel industry. The name Minett serves as a reminder of the vast iron ore deposits found in the region and the mines that burrowed into them. Mines, blast furnaces, and abandoned industrial buildings tell the story of a turbulent past in which everyday life was often far from being a bed of roses. A ride on the historic steam railway or a trip underground in an abandoned mine let you relive the past of the Minett.

A visit to Esch-sur-Alzette, one of the European Capitals of Culture for 2022, vividly illustrates how the old can be made new and how the past points the way to the future. Between the restored blast furnaces, visitors can find university buildings and businesses, the Rockhal concert hall, regularly changing exhibitions in various buildings and more. Here, a city of science, progress, art and culture is growing on the foundations of Luxembourg’s industrial heritage.