Saturday, 10 Feb marked the season opening of the Bock casemates. In 2017, approximately 130,000 visitors enjoyed a walk through the underground tunnels.
The casemates are one of Luxembourg City’s main tourist attractions and a UNESCO world heritage site.
These underground tunnels or 'galleries' were built by the Austrians in 1745 to protect the fortress of Luxembourg City. Back in the day, there was enough space inside the tunnels to accommodate 1,200 soldiers, along with their equipment. The Bock casemates are part of a 23km network of underground tunnels, which are spread over different levels and reach a maximum depth of 40 metres within the rock-face.
Pierette Kemp has been giving guided tours of the casemates since 2014. She says that she does this because she loves and admires Luxembourg City and wants to show tourists what it has to offer. Guided tours of the casemates are offered in Luxembourgish, German, French and English.
Visitors can also use the occasion to admire a number of historical canons, along with beautiful views of the city. The Bock casemates are currently the only tunnels in the city which are accessible to the public.
Further information on tickets and tour times can be found on the Luxembourg City Tourist Office website: www.luxembourg-city.com
