My European Adventures by Gerald Nicks

Author:Gerald Nicks
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-11-21T19:46:49+00:00

PÉTRUSSE EXPRESS

PLACE D'ARMES

As I walked across Montee de Clausen Bridge from the hostel to the upper town, one of the places I saw right away was the Palace of the Grand Dukes. I watched the armed soldier march up and down in front of it a few times and then I moved on. Luxembourg is the only grand duchy around these days. That means it has a monarch, a king or queen, who is called the Grand Duke or Grand Duchess, and this exquisite-looking palace is their official residence and the “White House” for the country. I was told that for about ten Euros, you can take a tour of the interior, at least during the summer, but I didn’t do it myself. I did, however, make use of a small square nearby called Place de Clairfontaine to sit and relax often. It has a beautiful statue of the much-beloved Grand Duchess Charlotte. Her history is interesting and worth checking out online.

Another beautiful and scenic place called Place de la Constitution is only about 250 meters due south of Place d’Armes and has a war memorial called the Monument of Remembrance (often known by the nickname Gelle Fra) as well as magnificent views. The monument is a twenty-one-meter-tall obelisk with a statue of a golden lady on top who represents Nike, the goddess of victory. I also heard people refer to it as the Victory Monument. Close by, about two hundred meters due east, is the Notre Dame Cathedral with its amazing stained windows. I didn’t think the outside was all that special but the interior is very, very nice. Anyway, the view of the Pétrusse Valley below and the great arched Adolphe Bridge is amazing. When the bridge was built in 1903, it was the largest stone arch bridge in the world. I discovered it first by walking through the whole length of the Pétrusse Valley, starting from lower town near the older Passerelle, also known as the Luxembourg Viaduct. The scenic nature of the walk through the valley was breathtaking. You should walk slowly, taking time to explore each interesting thing you see along the way. When I finally went under the Adolphe Bridge, it was also breathtaking, in a more literal way, to hike up the switchback paths back to upper town.

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