Bock Casemates

Overview

The Bock Casemates are a vast network of underground tunnels and galleries carved into the sandstone of the Bock promontory, the very rock on which Luxembourg was founded in 963 AD. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, these 17 km of passages once sheltered up to 35,000 soldiers and their horses during sieges.

Highlights

• 17 km of tunnels: Explore multi-level passages reaching 40 metres below the surface.
• Archaeological Windows: Peer through openings onto the Alzette Valley and the ruins of the original castle.
• Cannon Platforms: See the restored gun emplacements that made the fortress the 'Gibraltar of the North.'

History

Count Siegfried built his castle atop the Bock in 963, and successive Spanish, French, Austrian, and Prussian rulers expanded the tunnels over 700 years. After the 1867 Treaty of London required Luxembourg's demilitarisation, much of the fortress was razed, but the underground network survived.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Wear sturdy shoes — the passages can be damp and uneven.
• Tip 2: Visit on a weekday morning to avoid school groups.
• Duration: 45-60 minutes.