Vianden Castle

Vianden Castle, crowning a rocky spur high above the picturesque town of Vianden and the wooded Our valley in Luxembourg's north, is one of the largest and finest feudal castles in Europe. Built between the eleventh and fourteenth centuries in Romanesque and Gothic style, it fell into ruin before being magnificently restored in the twentieth century. Its array of towers, turrets, grand halls and ramparts, reached by a scenic chairlift over the valley, makes it a storybook sight that captivated the poet Victor Hugo, who lived in the town.

History

The first structure here was a Roman fort of 275 on the road from Reims to Cologne, abandoned between 430 and 440, and the castle stands on the site of that castellum. Around 1100 the first residential castle was built, with a square keep, a kitchen, a chapel and living rooms, and in the first half of the 12th century a larger tower and a ten-sided chapel were added (Wikipedia, Vianden Castle).

What to look for

• The great castle - the restored halls, towers and ramparts.
• The valley views - the vistas over Vianden and the Our.
• The chairlift - the scenic ride up over the valley.
• The Victor Hugo house - the poet's museum in the town below.

When to go

April to October, for the greenest valley and best weather, though the castle is atmospheric year-round and especially magical during its medieval festival in summer and at Christmas. The wooded north is loveliest in autumn colour. Combine it with a wander through the charming town below.

Things to know

Being much restored, some purists find it less authentically ancient than a true ruin, but the reconstruction is superbly done and brings the medieval castle vividly to life, making it far more evocative for most visitors. The town is small and the north takes a little effort to reach. As a spectacular, storybook castle in a beautiful valley setting, though, it is Luxembourg's finest and well worth the trip.

Nearby

The town of Vianden, the Mullerthal and the northern Ardennes are nearby.

Key facts