Photo. Vianden Castle in the medieval town Vianden - north of Luxembourg, is one of the largest fortified castles west of the Rhine. © Travel Explorations.
Luxembourg is really a land of castles and stories. When I first set my foot in Luxembourg, I didn`t knew much about them. Luxemburg is a small country, yes, but rich in history. What I didn’t realise was just how much history stands proudly on its hillsides and in its valleys. They call Luxembourg the “Land of Castles,” and it’s no exaggeration.
Some say there are more than 130 châteaus here, though many of those are really grand manor houses or large residences. The official count from the government is still over 70 proper castles – and that’s enough to keep any history lover busy for days.
Luxembourg City itself doesn’t have a huge number of castles compared to the countryside, but it is home to some historically significant fortifications and former castle sites. However, the city is famous for its Bock Promontory, where the original Luxembourg Castle once stood. Built in 963 by Count Siegfried, it was the birthplace of the city. The castle itself no longer exists in full, but it is still possible explore its Bock Casemates – a network of tunnels carved into the rock that once formed part of the fortress system.
To really experience a well-preserved castle, I had look outside the city. Driving through the lush countryside, I spotted rolling green hills, sleepy villages and church steeples. Fields and meadows shimmered in the sunlight, while winding roads led past forests and along the gentle curves of the river. Especially from Ettelbruck, every turn seemed to open to another beautiful scene, until at last, high above the valley, the towers of Vianden Castle came into view – a promise of history at the end of a perfect drive.
Standing high above the Our River, it’s a fairytale vision of turrets, walls, and sweeping views. The castle is located above the small town of Vianden is located in the northern part of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, known as the Éislek, in the midst of the Luxembourg Ardennes.
That’s the magic of Luxembourg’s castles – each one holds its own story, shaped by battles, power struggles, and centuries of change. Whether it’s a fortress in ruins or a perfectly preserved chateau, each tells a chapter of a country that’s small in size but immense in heritage.
Tucked away in the rolling countryside of Luxembourg, the medieval town of Vianden feels like a place where time slows down. Cobbled streets wind between old stone houses, café terraces spill onto tiny squares, and every turn seems to lead to another postcard-perfect view.
I first saw it from a distance, its silhouette rising proudly above the treetops, as if keeping watch over the town. Rising above the hills, Castle Vianden stands proud, its turrets reaching for the sky. It is beauty, history, and mystery in stone.
Perched high on a rocky ridge, it has stood there for centuries, holding stories of battles, noble families, and moments of grandeur. The sun slipped between drifting clouds and poured its light over the castle. There’s a certain presence about it – the kind that makes you pause and just take it in before climbing up to its gates.
Vianden Castle`s earliest parts were built in the 11th century, on the foundations of an even older Roman fort and a Carolingian refuge. Most of the main structures you see today – including the grand halls and towers – were added between the 11th and 14th centuries, during the time of the powerful Counts of Vianden.
Walking through its ancient halls was like stepping straight into a storybook. Thick stone walls whispered of the Middle Ages, narrow staircases led to hidden rooms, and arched windows opened to sweeping views of the Our Valley below. From up there, the river looked like a silver ribbon winding through green hills, and the rooftops of Vianden seemed almost toy-like.
I imagined the lives once lived here – the sound of armour clinking in the courtyard, the flicker of torchlight in the corridors, the voices of banquets echoing off the great hall’s vaulted ceiling. On my way I watched armours, old paintings, furniture, objects and a pillory, which enhanced my medieval feeling there. It was more than sightseeing; it was a connection to a world long gone, yet somehow still alive within these walls.
Legends whisper of a secret passage to nearby Castle Stolzembourg - a path known only to a chosen few. Some say it hides treasures; others believe it guards forgotten truths. For centuries, explorers, historians, and treasure hunters have followed the clues, searching through gardens, walls, and ancient halls.
There are also several other castles near Vianden Castle, well worth to experience, one of them is Bourscheid Castle.
Vianden Castle isn’t just a monument. It’s a place where history breathes, where history meets beauty, and where you can stand still for a moment and feel centuries roll back. The past lives on!
Stein Morten Lund, 9th August 2025
Additional information
Vianden Castle is a real magnet for visitors, being one of the biggest and most beautiful feudal residences from the Romanesque and Gothic periods. The castle was built between the 11th and 14th century on the foundations of a Roman castle and a Carolingian refuge and for a long time belonged to the Grand Ducal family, before passing into state ownership in 1977. Read more about the Vianden Castle on the website VisitLuxembourgh.
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