The castle at Vianden

The castle in the Luxembourg town of Vianden is one of the most iconic buildings in the country. It has now been restored to its impressive former glory.

Written by Michael Turtle

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle. A journalist for more than 20 years, he's been travelling the world since 2011.

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle and has been travelling full time for a decade.

Updated:

Vianden Castle, Luxembourg

High up on the hilltop, the castle dominates Vianden. For a thousand years it has looked over the town in some form. And now it is people who look up to it, as one of Luxembourg’s most iconic buildings.

Vianden is a small town in Luxembourg’s north with a population of about 1,500. Up from the river, the road leading to the castle has a small collection of restaurants and bars.

One of them, a dark and smoky video bar with music and pool tables, seems out of place in such a provincial location. But it’s a reminder that this is not a tourist trap… this is a home and there are young people here who need some release.

Vianden Castle, Luxembourg

But once you’re at the top of that road, past the beers and the schnitzels, it is as though you have stepped back to medieval times. And the castle beckons.

Vianden Castle, Luxembourg
Vianden Castle, Luxembourg

After falling into disrepair by the 1800s, several attempts were made in the 19th and 20th centuries to restore it. Unfortunately wars and other factors kept getting in the way.

It wasn’t until 1990 that it was finally restored and refurbished in such a way that it was suitable for visitors.

Vianden Castle, Luxembourg
Vianden Castle, Luxembourg

Today, exploring the castle gives you a sense of what life was back in the Late Middle Ages. It has been furnished and decorated in the style the Counts of Vianden would have been accustomed to.

That includes the huge dining room with its long wooden table and its fireplace from 1450; and the master bedroom with the red curtains around the sleeping area and six small windows.

Vianden Castle, Luxembourg
Vianden Castle, Luxembourg

It takes much longer than expected to see everything in the castle – it is deceptively large. There is the armoury, the crypt, the chapel, the kitchen, the halls and more.

Staircases appear where they’re least expected, transporting you up to another level of expansive rooms.

Vianden Castle, Luxembourg
Vianden Castle, Luxembourg

And at the top is what many people would consider to be the highlight – the views out across Vianden.

To be a count here in the 1500s, you would feel like a king. Looking out across your land from such a majestic of homes must have been truly incredible.

Vianden Castle, Luxembourg

From eavesdropping to the conversations around me, I think most tourists here are from Luxembourg itself – or at least the neighbouring countries.

This is not part of the usual trail of European tourism but it is a gorgeous little place with a stunning castle. It’s worth the detour if you’re nearby.

16 thoughts on “The castle at Vianden”

    • It’s funny you should say that because I started to get a little bit bored of them. Yes, they are all a bit different but not necessarily different enough. This one, on the other hand, was so cool that I was like a little excited kids running around it and exploring!

      Reply
  1. Crumbling ruins everywhere – hello, Europe! But wait! This castle actually looks a bit more interactive, well set up and less crumbly – horray! …I’m not a big fan of the middle ages, more fascinated by the French Grand Siècle and the following shnizzle, but Vianden Castle looks tempting… Should the world not end, we could buy it with the billions I’m gonna win in the lottery anytime soon and then we’d make the cheese there. We’d still call it “Echternacher”, as Vianden is not a decent cheese name – I’m sure you understand this, but if you want to discuss, fine. …It looks quite big, this castle, doesn’t it? I mean, I’m not EXACTLY fond of house-keeping, you know. How about you? Because if you’re not the biggest fan of dusting ever, I think, we can forget it, quite frankly. But it’s okay. I’m pretty sure you can come up with some more suggestions. I’ll stay tuned!

    Reply
    • Ha – I love all of it! Perhaps we could employ some friendly Luxembourgians (I don’t think they’re really called that) who could make cheese in the morning and then dust the castle in the afternoons. Then we could all have a big feast in the banquet hall together every evening. With your lottery earnings we could host grand parties for the locals… but ask them kindly to do the washing up before they leave. The castle will again be alive and we will have as much cheese as the heart desires!

      Reply
  2. We’ve got to get back to Luxembourg. We spent only 1 day there in 2002. I barely remember anything about it. I’ve enjoyed reading about your time there. What a beautiful looking castle too.

    Reply
  3. I liked Vianden years ago when I went. It was a pretty interesting museum too (even for me who normally doesn’t like museums).
    The rest of Luxembourg did not impress me, but this day trip was fun.

    Reply
    • I guess if you’re spending a lot of time in Germany and France, maybe Luxembourg doesn’t seem too different. But I really liked the place because of its size and quaintness. The castle was definitely one of the best bits of the country, though. Glad you made it there for a trip.

      Reply
  4. Me and my mom visited – she is a Vianden. We made the trip last year and it was a great castle and Luxembourg was really a beautiful place.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to D.J. - The World of Deej Cancel reply