Canton
Luxembourg
Portrait
of the canton
Canton Luxembourg is one of the two central cantons of the country. It has one official city: Luxembourg City. The canton is the political, cultural, and economic heart of Luxembourg. With approximately 210,561 inhabitants (2025) spread over 238 km², it is the most populous and cosmopolitan canton in Luxembourg and is easily accessible by train, car, and bus. It is also home to the country’s only international airport.
The Grund with view of the Kirechberg and Bockfiels, Luxembourg City
Luxembourg City is both a European capital and the capital of the Grand Duchy. It is also one of the places where the official residence of the Head of State, Grand Duke Guillaume V of Luxembourg, is located. Every day, the population of the canton nearly doubles due to the influx of people coming to work there.
The official residence of the Grand-Duke of Luxembourg, Luxembourg City
Landscape
The landscape of the canton combines sandstone and limestone geology with deep valleys and high plateaus. The rivers Alzette and Pétrusse form valleys such as the Pafendall and Pétrusse Valley, where historic neighborhoods meet green corridors. Despite its urban density, the canton offers many natural spaces, such as city parks and the Bambësch forest, making it ideal for cycling, leisure walks, hiking, and outdoor activities in the capital region.
Grund, Luxembourg City
The Alzette river, Grund, Luxembourg City
History
Historically, Canton Luxembourg is considered the birthplace of Luxembourg. On the Bock promontory, a castellum already was here in Roman times, and in 963, Siegfried of Luxembourg built a castle there, marking the founding of Luxembourg. The legend of the mermaid Melusina symbolizes the mythical origins of the city.
The House of Luxembourg was an important ruling family in Europe and produced several German emperors. By the 12th century, Luxembourg had developed into a fortified city.
Over the centuries, the city of Luxembourg was repeatedly expanded and reinforced. Each time, the fortress was improved, and in the 17th century, Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban transformed it into one of the strongest fortresses in Europe. Later, the city of Luxembourg was often referred to as the "Gibraltar of the North." Even after the fortress was dismantled, its heritage, such as the casemates, remains.
In the 19th century, the steel industry also developed in Canton Luxembourg, with smelters in Eich and Dommeldange, known for their workers' neighborhoods.
De Bock promontory, Luxembourg City
The modern history of the canton developed in the second half of the 19th century, with the founding of the first banks, the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, and holding structures in the 1920s, which laid the foundation for today’s international financial center. Today, Canton Luxembourg is one of Europe’s leading financial centers and is home to banks, investment funds, and EU institutions, particularly in the Kirchberg district, which was developed from the 1960s onward.
Kirchberg, Luxembourg City
Culture
Luxembourg City is home to the Grand Ducal Palace and Notre-Dame Cathedral. An important cultural event is the “Schueberfouer”, one of the oldest and largest funfairs in Europe, founded in 1340 by John the Blind.
Schueberfouer, Luxembourg City
The Knuedler square with the cathedral in the background, Luxembourg City
The renowned Luxembourgish artist Joseph Kutter was born in Luxembourg City. Together with influential figures such as Michel Rodange and Batty Weber, the city unites literature and art in a unique way, making it a cultural hub for the Greater Region. In Luxembourg City, you can also find monuments such as the "Hämmelsmarsch" by Wil Lofy, which depicts the tradition of the funfair in a bronze statue.
Monument of Michel Rodange, Knuedler, Luxembourg City
Hämmelsmarsch Statue byWil Lofy, Upper town, Luxembourg City
Additionally, Luxembourg is the birthplace of Robert Schuman, one of the founding fathers of Europe, and General George S. Patton is buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery in Sandweiler. Other notable figures from Canton Luxembourg include Hugo Gernsback, the inventor of the term "science fiction," and Gabriel Lippmann, Nobel Prize laureate in Physics—both born in Bonnevoie.
Canton Luxembourg, together with Luxembourg City, is a strong symbol of national identity and Luxembourgish independence.
Attractions
Besides Luxembourg City, Canton Luxembourg also offers other interesting villages with picturesque castles and palaces. Visitors can explore, for example, the castles of Hesperange and Munsbach. In the park of Munsbach castle, they can learn more about the Luxembourgish tradition of rose cultivation. At Walfer Castle, a former residence of Guillaume II, visitors can still admire the art of rose cultivation in the park, alongside the jumping fountain.
Around Neihaischen, visitors can also enjoy beautiful hikes in the footsteps of the ancient Celts.
Hesperange castle and church, Municipality of Hesperange
Munsbach Castle, Municipality of Munsbach
Walferdange Castle, Municipality of Walferdange