10 interesting facts about Luxembourg

Few people know, but Luxembourg is even smaller than the smallest US state, Rhode Island! This small country in Western Europe has no borders with the sea, but there are many dense forests, hills and low mountains.

People have inhabited Luxembourg since the days of the Roman Empire. However, its real history officially began in 963, when the Count of the Ardennes founded the Luxembourg Castle.

Although Luxembourg is a very small country, it does not mean that it is not worth visiting! From the historic capital to many castles and beautiful nature, Luxembourg has a lot to offer.

Want to learn more about the country before your trip? We have prepared for you 10 interesting facts about Luxembourg that may surprise you.

10 It is the only Grand Duchy in the world

A Grand Duchy is a country whose official ruler is a monarch. The ruler is given the title of Grand Duke or Grand Duchess, depending on gender.

This name was first introduced in 1569 for Tuscany, a small region in Italy. It was originally used to refer to a land that was not large enough to be internationally recognized as a kingdom, but had well-established and recognized political, economic, or military structures. Back in the 1900s, there were as many as fourteen Grand Duchies in Europe. Luxembourg is the only remaining Grand Duchy in the 21st century.

9. There are about 200 banks in the country

At the end of 2017, there were 140 authorized banks in the Grand Duchy, the lowest number since 1994. However, the total number of bank employees reached the highest level since 2008.

The number of employees reached approximately 26 in 000. This is because banks in Luxembourg serve two markets: their domestic market as well as the international market.

As of today there are about 200 banks in the state. Ironically, among the many of these banks, only seven belong to the country.

Looking at the number of banks in the country of origin, it becomes clear that some of all banks come from Germany, with other banking institutions from China, France and Switzerland, for example.

8. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel is in a same-sex marriage

Xavier Bettel, 42, and Belgian architect Gauthier Destenay were among the first to legally marry, which took effect in the Grand Duchy in January, and made it the latest of nearly a dozen EU states to allow same-sex marriage.

7. The inhabitants of the country speak three languages

According to an EU study, the mother tongue of approximately 70% of Luxembourgers is Luxembourgish (or Lëtzebuergesch as they spell it). At first it seems simple Germans speak German, French speak French, so Luxembourgers speak Luxembourgish. But on further consideration, things get a little more complicated, as there is no consensus on whether Luxembourgish should be considered a separate language.

Nevertheless, throughout its turbulent history, Luxembourg frequently changed hands from German to French rule, fell into the hands of the Netherlands, and was divided into parts.

It only achieved full independence in 1890, but was re-occupied and annexed by Germany during the wars of world proportions. Because of this history, the formal languages ​​were originally standard German and French. Luxembourgish became the national language quite recently – only in 1984. As a result, the small state has three official languages: the inhabitants speak Luxembourgish, German and French.

6. There is an area in the country called Little Switzerland.

Often called Little Switzerland of Luxembourg, Mullerthal – or Mellerdahl in Luxembourgish – owes its name to a hilly landscape reminiscent of Switzerland.

The Müllerthal is above all a unique biotope characterized by rock formations that are as seductive as they are amazing. It is a unique composition of rock and soil erosion that has contributed to the creation of this landscape typical of Little Switzerland.

The capital of the Müllerthal region, Echternach is the oldest city in Luxembourg. In 2010, Echternach gained an international reputation.

5. The old quarters of Luxembourg are included in the UNESCO list

The fortifications of the old part of the city of Luxembourg and its ancient quarters were part of UNESCO – World Cultural Heritage – since 1994. This urban unity combines historical, medieval, classical and modern architectural styles like nowhere else.

The old town of the capital, located around the casemates “Bok”, tells about the 1000-year history of the fortress. Renowned international architects and military engineer Vauban contributed over the centuries to the development of the fortification to such an extent that it was called North Gibraltar. The remains can still be visited today and are a unique tourist attraction.

4. Half of the workers in Luxembourg come from other countries

Most non-Luxembourgish citizens traveling across the border are French (78 workers), Belgians (500 workers) and Germans (39 workers).

3. Euthanasia is legal in Luxembourg

Assisted suicide and euthanasia have been legal in the country since 2009.. By the end of 2018, 71 people decided to exercise this right.

The law does not target those who want to end their lives for purely psychological reasons, i.e. the reason is not only that you no longer want to live. Rather, the law states that assisted suicide can be requested and granted when the patient’s suffering is deemed unbearable.

In particular, requests may be made by a person who is suffering from a terminal illness as a result of an injury or illness, the cause of which is irrelevant.

Patients who live abroad but whose GP is located in the Grand Duchy may also take such measures and record them in their medical file, as no conditions of residence or citizenship are attached to the law.

2. The country has the highest rate of car ownership

Three-quarters of Luxembourgers own one or two cars, making the country a real “car paradise”. The numbers show some other interesting aspects of owning a car in the Grand Duchy.

Statec analysis shows that 8% of households in Luxembourg own three cars and 3% own four or more cars. In other words, this means that one in ten Luxembourgish households has three or more cars available for use (11%).

Another unsurprising indicator is that Luxembourg has overtaken France, Germany and Belgium in terms of car ownership. Statec’s French equivalent, INSEE, reports that 81% of households in metropolitan France own a car, compared to 86% in Luxembourg.

Luxembourg’s share rises to 88% when company vehicles are taken into account, which can be used for private purposes.

1. The restaurant with the world’s largest wine list is located in Luxembourg

A restaurant in the Grand Duchy achieved an impressive record in 2009. Chiggeri in Luxembourg held the longest wine list with 1746 wines! The collector who assembled this phone book-level wine list has been named the best sommelier student in France.

Today, thanks to Dino Totaro, Secretary of the Association of Luxembourgers and Sommeliers and member of the international office of ASI, Chiggeri has established numerous contacts with the largest vineyards from Luxembourg, France and other countries.

Dino Totaro’s passion for the authenticity, diversity and richness of the great wine territories resonates with a new wine list full of finds and favorites.

These superb wines, produced by talented vintners, Chiggeri strives to pair them with gourmet cuisine to do justice to them.