Luxumbourg | On The Move in ‘24 …

14 September
This morning we went down into the Vallée de la Petrusse and experienced a very different part of the city. Certainly not cosmopolitan as the main city centre is. Contained all the fortifications that were required to protect the city in centuries gone by. Many old stone walls and parapets where the city could be protected from invaders. On the way home we visited two Chateau’s the first being the ruins of Beaufort Castle with an interesting dungeon and torture chamber and equipment, the well inside the main castle (plus some nice sheep outside keeping the grass short). The 2nd was Vianden Castle which gradually went in to ruin as various parts were sold off. It was passed to the State by the Royal Family in 1977 and is now being restored. It is used for formal events and concerts at various times during the year. Most interesting.

13 September
Headed off to Trier, the oldest city in Germany and went on a city walk, enjoying morning tea in front of the Porta Nigra (Roman Gate), Karl Marx’s Haus where he was born and leaned much about his interesting life. Bought peaches in the Hauptmarkt and walked across the Roman Bridge over the Mosel River. Travelled on to Luzembourg where we had a late lunch in the french restaurant and walked the city until dark visiting Notre Dame Cathedral (1613-1618) built by the Jesuits and building churches is not what they are noted for, Ville Base Vallery on the river Alzette, intersting numbers of fountains. We spent a very interesting hour in the house where Karl Marx was born – it is now a museum telling the story of his life and the effect on Lenin, Trotsky etc. and the time he spent in near poverty in London. This city appears to be made up of old stone buildings and very new glass buildings mixed together. Did not notice any buildings from the baby boomers era – maybe with the EU being based in Luxembourg, has provided a boost for the city. Spent the night in Bella Napoli hotel down near the railway station.