Luxembourg (pop. 124,500) is the capital and largest city of the country of Luxembourg. The town’s picturesque Old City stands on a plateau high above gorges formed by the Alzette and Petrusse rivers. Its landmarks include the Grand Ducal Palace, which was built in the 1500’s; the Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame, which dates from the early 1600’s; and the town hall, which was built in the early 1800’s. The Grand Ducal Palace is the home of the country’s monarch.
Luxembourg is the seat of several agencies of the European Union, including the European Court of Justice and the secretariat (administrative staff) of the European Parliament. The city is also an international financial center. Many foreign banks have offices there.
Roman soldiers began constructing a fort at what is now Luxembourg in the A.D. 300’s. In 963, Siegfried, Count of Ardennes, built a castle there, and a walled town grew up around the castle. Through the years, the walls were strengthened for defense against attacks. Gradually, much of the castle was destroyed. The walls were largely dismantled in the mid-1800’s. But some parts still stand. The city’s population grew considerably during the early decades of the 2000’s. Thousands of new residents came from Portugal, France, and other European countries.
