Picture Perfect Vianden

Luxembourg is a small country lodged between Belgium, Germany and France.  In the 14th century it became a Dutchy (ruled by Dukes) forming part of the German Empire.  In the following centuries it was annexed by the Spanish, French and Austrians at different times.  In 1798 the Luxembourg farmers rebelled against the French but by 1815 it was in the hands of the House of Orange-Nassau.  The Dutch King William I was the first Grand Duke of Luxembourg and disliked by Luxembourgers due to high taxes and Dutch proclaimed as the official language.  His successor granted independence to Luxembourg.

The River Our flowing through the town of Vianden, Luxembourg.

Castle of Vianden

The Castle of Vianden is picturesque personified.  It was originally built in the 9th-10th century on the site of a Roman fort (4th-5th century).  From the 11th-13th centuries the Counts of Vianden exercised a lot of power before losing it to rival Counts of Luxembourg in 1264.  Through a marriage connection with the   House of Orange-Nassau it found its way back to the Counts of Vianden. It suffered significant damage from an earthquake in 1692 and it was sold by William I as a ruin.  The State acquired it in 1977 and is restoring it to its former Gothic glory.

A model of an ancient knight’s armor is displayed in the Castle.