The Grund district of Luxembourg City is in the heart of western Europe.
The Grund, or "Gronn" in Luxembourgish, is one of five districts of Luxembourg City, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and is located to the city's south. The capital's history unfolded in the year 963, when a castle was built on what is now the center of Luxembourg City. The Grund, one of the first neighborhoods to surround the new castle, has a rich history that has made the quarter a popular tourist attraction in recent years, despite its tiny size and narrow streets.
District Development
The Grund is one of Luxembourg City's oldest districts, situated in the capital's heart, so that subsequent quarters would expand around the Grund and other original districts as populations rose. Located along the banks of the Alzette River, the Grund was built in the shallow valley below the heart of Luxembourg's capital after Siegfried, count of the Ardennes, founded his castle, which became the fortress known as the "Gibraltar of the North."
Surviving Structures
Though a modern elevator provides one entrance to the Grund by lifting visitors through the old stone wall Plateau du St. Esprit, many of the district's original structures are still standing to this day. Stone bridges, fortress walls and cobblestone streets of the district's original construction survive, and many of the homes built along the Alzette River have remained unchanged since their first inhabitants.
Modern Popularity
Particularly during the last few decades, the Grund district has risen in popularity for its nightlife, including dance clubs, bars and cafes, cultural events and historical sites, such as Neumunster Abbey, which has been a fixture of the Grund district since the 17th century. It has become such a desired destination for those visiting Luxembourg City that the Grund was recently added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's World Heritage list, as well as the Wenzel walking tour.
Tags: Luxembourg City, Grund district, Alzette River, district original, Grund Luxembourg