Little Country with a Big History

The first sight waited for me just on the Luxembourg entry, where I visited Schengen, a town next to the border between France, Germany, and Luxembourg and is surrounded by vineyards. Schengen is mostly known for Schengen Agreement that was signed right there. We can visit the Schengen Museum where we can learn about some details about this agreement. It was signed on June 14th 1985 between Belgium, Germany, France, Netherlands, and Luxembourg, we can find the original in this museum. In front of the museum we can find a monument with 31 stars that symbolize the countries in Schengen Agreement and those who will join in the future. Next to the monument is a part of Berlin Wall that symbolizes the opening and erasing of European borders. The whole square is really worth seeing, we can also see Schengen castle from there which was first mentioned in 14th century and is also a part of Victor Hugo painting that was painted during his visit in year 1871.

After visiting Schengen I went to the capital of Luxembourg – Luxembourg. On the way there we can see how tidy this country is, but when we come to the city, we really see the tidiness and the beauty of Luxembourg. The fact that everything is in French really surprised me and I was challenged for the first time to see how much of the world’s most romantic language I learnt in two semesters. I soon found out that not much, but that did not stop me to explore the city. Luxembourg has a town wall that was built in 16th century which makes Luxembourg a big fortress. Most of the wall was demolished but what is left of it is today under UNESCO. By the town we can see Alzette river that is really small today because of the wall but was really important in the past. We can cross the river through Adolphe arch bridge, known also as the New Bridge that is offering a majestic view on the city. The city centre, as well as the whole city is not big, we can mostly find banks and designer shops there that most of students are afraid even to look at. Prices are higher than in Slovenia, which was to be expected if we know that Luxembourg is the richest country in Europe. The city is home to many European Union institutions. Here we can find the European Court of Justice, the European Court of Auditors, the Secretariat of the European Parliament, the European Investment Bank etc. Luxembourg is also home to Slovene translators that translate for European Union. One of the attractions is also a Bank Museum that is also a really majestic building and a seat to one of the biggest banks in Luxembourg. I also visited the Constitution Square where we can find a Monument of Remembrance or the Golden Lady monument that is standing there to remember people who served in World War I. The monument is guarded by an obelisk and there are two figures next to them that picture soldiers who served for France. It was built in 1923 but was demolished by Nazis in World War II but was restored in the 1980’s. Today it symbolizes freedom and rebellion of Luxembourgers. Petrusse Park is also a beautiful place in Luxembourg. It is named by the river that Alzette flows into.  The city is really clean and despite being mostly financially oriented full of culture, people are warm and kind. 

After seeing beautiful Luxembourg City I visited a small but charming village Beaufort not far from Luxembourg. From the village there are lots of paths that lead to picturesque valleys and are a great opportunity to hike or rent a bike and ride to them. This area is also called a Little Switzerland of Luxembourg because of thick forests, streams, waterfalls, and even a few caves. There is a medieval castle in Beaufort that was built in 11th century, but they kept building it for four centuries. Today the castle is the main attraction of the village. There are also lots of activities offered in Beaufort, the new ice ring is definitely worth mentioning.

 

Here I was also on the opening of a new hostel. It is located in centre of Beaufort and is a hostel that has basically everything. There is a kindergarten, a big playground for children, a bowling alley, snooker table, conference rooms, multifunction room, a restaurant, and a bistro. There are 62 beds in hostels that can be two-bed to five-bed rooms that are usefully furnished, there is also a bathroom in every room. Hostel is energy efficient, the building of this hostel was also supported by Ministry for Tourism and Ministry for Family and Youth. Hostel was built to join the place for children, youth, families and for businessmen together in one building and create a quiet place and a starting point for exploring Luxembourg. Luxembourgish ministers also came to the opening and really commended the development of Beaufort and the work of the architect. They said, that the hostel is perfect for families and groups of children because of the big playground and a kindergarten in the same building. The president of International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF, known also as Hostelling International) Edith Arnoult-Brill also stressed the fact that this is the project, that will be good for society, culture and tourism of Luxembourg. In these words she has really stressed the importance of the project and a great accomplishment that was made with opening the hostel. President of Hostelling International Slovenia and vice-president of IYHF Igor Jurišič said: ‘’Luxembourg is a school example of a successful collaboration between youth hostel organization, local community and ministries. The building that was made in Beaufort is a proof of this collaboration. It will connect young travellers with locals. The hostel is also eco-friendly and can become a guidance to development of other villages nearby.’’ The project is worth 13 million euros but couldn’t be executed if there wouldn’t be a good collaboration between the country and the organisations. Together they created something functional and new and also helped to Beaufort’s and Luxembourg’s development, created new work positions and a place that shouldn’t be left out when we visit Luxembourg. Even though the country is the richest in Europe and the prices could show that, Luxembourg surprised us with a hostel that is not only clean, new and with everything you could possibly imagine, but is also reasonably priced. Beaufort is a place that we can visit to escape into nature, but can also visit the city because of great connection with Luxembourg city which is only half an hour away for moments when we want some impressive architecture or just some shopping.

Luxembourg is a charming country that will be remembered of because of kind people, tidiness and cleanness. Even though it is small, it has great history and great future. It is a country that charms you with greenness, little pretty bridges and walking paths for locals and tourists. I will, hopefully, visit Luxembourg again someday, there are lots of things to see even though it is small.