A Look at Luxembourg’s Architectural Gems - Part 2

Luxembourg, nestled in the heart of Europe, boasts various architectural splendours, with several that nowadays combine history and contemporary innovation.

In this series of articles, Chronicle.lu will offer an overview of various architectural gems in the Grand Duchy. Part 2 looks at architecture in the (Neo-)Renaissance and (Neo-)Baroque styles.

Renaissance & Baroque

The "Dënzelt" in Echternach is a historic assembly hall dominating the market square, dating to the late 14th century. Initially used for annual “Jahrgedinge” (meetings during the Middle Ages during which aldermen's wise decrees were proclaimed), the hall saw significant changes over the centuries. Acquired by Abbot Wilhelm von Kerpen in 1374 for abbey administration, the Dënzelt was destroyed in a fire in 1444 and was subsequently reconstructed in Renaissance style in 1520; expansive window frames were added. Neo-Gothic renovations in 1895 added sculptural embellishments by Lambert Piedboeuf, featuring representations of cardinal virtues and figures such as the Virgin Mary and King Solomon. The bronze plaque inside commemorates the 1236 Charter of Freedom granted by Countess Ermesinde.

Adjacent to the Dënzelt stands the Baroque-style municipal administration building. Extensive renovation work in the early 2000s connected the Dënzelt and town hall structures. The Dënzelt was the court seat, also containing a torture chamber and a prison. The large window frames show the transition from Gothic to the Renaissance architectural style. During the renovation work in 1898, the statues depicting the Virgin Mary, King Solomon and the cardinal virtues were added to the façade. The monument was restored in 1993.

In Luxembourg City, the Grand Ducal Palace is the Grand Duke’s official residence, open to the public exclusively from July to September, with guided tours offered in different languages. It has a striking façade reminiscent of the 16th century Flemish Renaissance, when the oldest section of the tower was built as a guildhall, by the then-Governor of Luxembourg. The building was the city hall of Luxembourg from 1572 to 1795, the seat of the prefecture of the forestry agency in 1795, and then the headquarters of the Luxembourg Government in 1817. When the flag is up, the Grand Duke is in residence. The Changing of the Guard ceremony occurs once a month from June to September.

The Notre-Dame Cathedral, completed in 1621 and refurbished in 1938, blends late Gothic and Renaissance styles. In the 1600s, the Jesuits established a school (Collège des Jesuites) and a church (now the Notre-Dame Cathedral) on this site. The former educated most young Luxembourgers until the Jesuits departed in 1773; the church was later gifted to the city and temporarily named “Saint Nicolas et Saint Thérèse. Its status was elevated to that of cathedral (officially the Cathédrale Notre-Dame) by Pope Pius IX in 1870.

Nearby, in Luxembourg-Grund, the Abbaye de Neumünster, initially built by Benedictine monks in the 1600s, offers a glimpse into the city's adaptive reuse of historic spaces. The historic abbey, a very simple local version of the Renaissance style, was expanded in the 1700s and has since undergone many transformations. Following the French Revolution, it served various roles, including a police station, a prison and a Prussian barracks post-Napoleon. During World War II, it held political dissidents resisting Nazi occupation, including renowned Luxembourg sculptor Lucien Wercollier, whose bronze monument The Political Prisoner stands at Notre-Dame Cathedral. After years of neglect, the abbey was restored and reopened in 2004 as the Centre Culturel de Rencontre Abbaye de Neumünster. Today, it serves as a cultural centre, under the name “neimënster”, hosting concerts, performances, seminars and exhibitions.

The Benedictine monks' influence on Luxembourg architecture is also evident in the neo-Romanesque design of the Clervaux Abbey and Echternach Abbey, reflecting their longstanding tradition of integrating functional, spiritual and aesthetic elements into their buildings.

Neo-Renaissance & Neo-Baroque

The Banque de Caisse d’Épargne de l’État (BCEE; Spuerkeess) building is one that many tourists mistake for a castle, with classical charm and an imposing 46-metre tower, which sets a distinctive accent on the skyline of Luxembourg City. The current Hôtel de la Caisse d’Épargne was built between 1909 and 1913 in a French Neo-Renaissance style, designed by Luxembourg architect Jean-Pierre Koenig. Following the construction of the Adolphe Bridge from 1900 to 1903, the Luxembourg government asked the BCEE and the Chemins de fer d’Alsace et de Lorraine to construct a monumental building on Avenue de la Liberté. During the construction works, those in charge noticed that the building was too small and hence added a first annex to the existing building in 1913.

The ARBED (Aciéries Réunies de Burbach-Eich-Dudelange) was a crucial player in Luxembourg's industrial history and economic development. Established in 1911, it was the country's largest steel company and significantly contributed to Luxembourg's status as a major steel producer in Europe. The ARBED building, now belonging to the BCEE, served as the headquarters of ArcelorMittal from 2006 to 2013. It was built on 59,37 acres, with 15,000 m2 of usable space. It was completed in 1922 on the Avenue de la Liberté, opposite the Rose Garden in Luxembourg City. Inspired by French châteaux of the 17th and 18th centuries, and built of steel and reinforced concrete, the building’s façade is made of sandstone. The entrance portal is flanked by pillars featuring the gable figures of Victoria and Mercury. These symbolic statues underscore the connection between the former ARBED and the industries of mining, steel processing and agriculture.

Another building which has stood the test of time is the University of Luxembourg building in Limpertsberg, dating to 1903 when it was constructed for a Franciscan order. From 1926 to 1972, it served as a college for Catholic priests. Towards the end of World War II, between 25 September and 22 December 1944, the building served as the headquarters for the US deception unit called the Ghost Army. A new monument, unveiled in 2023, details the work of this secret unit outside the building that housed most of the Ghost Army unit, on 162a Avenue de la Faïencerie.

The Franciscan orders have also left a lasting mark on Luxembourg's architectural heritage through their establishment of monastic complexes, their use of distinctive architectural styles and their commitment to preserving historical structures.