Road Trip: Luxembourg

And so we left Zurich and made our way North, through France, to Luxembourg. We weren't expecting much, so we were pleasantly surprised by the city. Unfortunately, we were there during a holiday, so all the shops and cafes were closed.

The origins and the name of Luxembourg are intrinsically linked with one person. In the year 963, a Count by the name of Siegfried (a Carolingian - a descendant from Charlemagne) acquired a rocky promontory overhanging the valley of the River Alzette from the St. Maximin Abbey in Trier. According to the deed, a small stronghold called "Lucilinburhuc" was situated there. It was there that the name of Luxembourg first appeared in history.

According to legend, Count Siegfried was to be married to Melusina, a mermaid who became a part of European folklore (for those interested in Melusina's story, visit http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/jwss/annotations/possession/melusina.html). Siegfried was present at the very birth of the House of Luxembourg, a dynasty which, during the 14th. Century and the first half of the 15th. Century, was to provide four Emperors to the Empire and four Kings to Bohemia.

Following are some of our pictures.

A lovely square ...




















The palace (on the right - there was one guard) ....















The cathedral ...















The gorgeous valley (the city overlooks it) ...















And a quick shot, sans Chase. She was fast asleep ... shhhhh ....
















Special thanks to http://www.lcto.lu/html_en/history/index.html for providing me with the history behind Luxembourg.