The Luxembourg City Tourist Office magazine painted a picture of a river which has become a real tourist attraction while still remaining a symbol for the people of Luxembourg: the Alzette.
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european institute of cultural routes |
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| Michel Thomas-Penette |
| 05 August 2010 |
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The Alzette makes its way from the French border region across the south of the country before entering Luxembourg City in the Hamm quarter.
The river snakes through forests and the remains of what once were mills such as the Gantebensmillen, the Schläifmillen and the Polvermillen. These mills used to belong to the Godchaux, a family of cloth manufacturers. A circuit created by the Luxembourg City Tourist Office explores the history of this family.
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After passing under the Iron Route bridge, the river meanders through the suburb of the Grund. Here, the valley widens and one can see Vauban's military architecture. This part of the city was completely restored in preparation for 1995, when Luxembourg was European Capital of Culture for the first time. Since then, the renovation work has continued, particularly in the brasserie quarter, now an essential part of the city's nightlife.
The Alzette runs alongside the Abbaye de Neumünster and the Wenzel ramparts which sparked the creation of the Wenzel Walk.
Leaving the city near Clausen, it threads its way through the two entrances which are associated with the former castle of the count then prince Pierre-Ernst de Mansfeld.
Finally, in the suburb of Pfaffenthal it meets the gates built by Vauban - the Eich Gate and Invalids Gate - to protect this space from invaders.
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The Alzette in the Grund
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