From ghost armies to witch towers and even a pumpkin-shaped swimming pool, Susanne Jasper's new book 111 Places in Luxembourg You Must See (in German) invites readers to uncover the quirky, hidden, and unexpected side of the Grand Duchy.
This is the second book in the 111 Places... series dedicated to Luxembourg, though unlike the first volume, which looked exclusively at Luxembourg City, this new edition expands to cover the entire country.
Whether you're a local or a curious traveler, the book promises a fresh perspective on the Grand Duchy: rich with folklore, oddities, hidden gems, and stories waiting to be discovered.
Author Susanne Jaspers, a publisher, novelist, and travel writer, shares how she found these places and what fascinates her most about them.
"Of course, there are many more than 111 spots here, but I have to admit, it wasn't an easy task to come up with them – or at least the stories behind them," explains Jaspers. "And that was what gave me the most joy, to tell those stories behind landmarks that one might already know."
And the charm lies in the unfamiliar. Rather than revisiting the usual tourist hotspots, Jaspers takes her readers on a journey through lesser-known corners of the country – from the whimsical to the mysterious, the scenic to the surreal. Expect the unexpected in places like Mertert or Mensdorf, Walferdange or Wiltz. That said, you will find the occasional familiar landmark, Clervaux Castle's gardens, for instance.
"I did add those details to places that are well-known, I find those gardens beautiful, especially with the photo exhibitions in summer." Jaspers also mentions St Michael's Church in Luxembourg City, which still has a 16th-century cannon ball stuck to its facade, if you look closely.
Although Jaspers has received significant positive feedback from news outlets in neighbouring countries, she released this book primarily for Luxembourgers. "I notice this in conversations with friends a lot, when I rave about the Tudor Museum in Rosport and how family-friendly it is, no-one else will have heard about it. And it's such a nice museum, surely one should know it."
Well worth a visit to your local bookshop, make sure you pack a copy on your next day trip this summer.
