© Pierre BK / Luxembourg City Tourist Office
Place Guillaume II & Monument Michel Rodange
Where? Place Guillaume II, L-1536 Luxembourg
Since the middle of the 13th century, this square, named after William II, King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg, has accommodated the church and the monastery of the order of Saint Francis. In common parlance the square is also called Knuedler - derived from the Luxembourgish word “Knued” denoting the knot in the belt of the Franciscan friars.
Since the middle of the 13th century, this square, named after William II, King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg, has accommodated the church and the monastery of the order of Saint Francis. In common parlance the square is also called Knuedler - derived from the Luxembourgish word “Knued” denoting the knot in the belt of the Franciscan friars.
In 1797 the French seized the monastery with all its grounds and disposed of it part by part. In the following centuries the whole cluster of edifices was pulled down and the square redesigned. Today, the William Square hosts not only the Town Hall and the Luxembourg City Tourist Office, but also plenty of markets, open air concerts and feasts.
Monument Michel Rodange
The Michel Rodange Monument is in the city park and honors the renowned writer Michel Rodange (1827–1876).
Rodange is best known for his work Renert, a Luxembourgish fable inspired by Goethe's epic. Unveiled in 1956, the monument depicts Rodange in a thoughtful pose, surrounded by characters from his famous work, including the cunning fox Renert.
It symbolizes Rodange’s significant contribution to Luxembourgish literature and culture. The monument is a popular meeting point and a reminder of the importance of the Luxembourgish language and identity.
