Luxembourg’s cultural, archaeological, industrial and religious heritage

Want to meet the first ever Luxembourger? If so, head to the National Museum of Natural History (known as “natur musée”), where the Loschbour prehistoric man is waiting for you. That’s right: Luxembourg’s cultural heritage is rooted in its very soil, which is rich in archaeological findings. Over the years, these findings have shed light on the daily lives, work and rituals of the people who lived in the country in bygone ages, from prehistoric times to the modern day, via the Gallo-Roman era and the Middle Ages. They are all on display in Luxembourg City’s museums, and there are also ruins to be explored all over the country, such as the Gallo-Roman sites in Echternach and Dalheim.

If you like those, you’ll definitely also want to check out the Grand Duchy’s various religious monuments and places of worship. Although most of them are in active use by the Catholic Church, it is often worth exploring these churches, abbeys and basilicas, so that you can admire their imposing architecture and gorgeous decorations. Every city, town and village also has religious festivals scattered throughout the year, usually including lively celebrations. One good example of this is the dancing procession in Echternach, which has been added to the UNESCO Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Another instance is the Oktav Catholic pilgrimage, which is one of the country’s main religious events and culminates in a solemn procession through Luxembourg City, followed by a market in its honour at Place Guillaume II.

Of course, the Grand Duchy’s cultural heritage is inextricably bound up with its industrial past, remarkable remnants of which can still be seen in the south of the country. Disused iron mines, blast furnaces and factories bear witness to the boom times. To get a real feel for those times, you can go on themed hikes, explore mines or go on a steam-train ride.