Peaking up through the masses of autumn foliage is the turret of the State Bank and Savings bank, the leading national financial institution founded in 1856 and is wholly owned by the government of Luxembourg.

Despite its small size and low population, Luxembourg is one of the wealthiest nations in the world. Much of the country's source of income comes from its extremely lucrative financial sector, which accounts for 25 per cent of its GDP.

Apparently it has a "favourable" tax regime which is why many rich people move there.

Tags:   Luxembourg Autumn trees colour foliage gothic Spuerkeess State Bank

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This is the Ville Basse du Grand (Grund Lower Town) in Luxembourg. The buildings date from the 14th century. In the Middle Ages this a district where tanners, shoemakers and brewers lived and worked in safety as there is a walled underground fortress surrounding it. A large part of the town was destroyed by the French in the 17th century but was later rebuilt.

You can see the spire from the Church in the previous image and also the new part of Luxembourg in the far background.

Tags:   Luxembourg Middle ages Europe Old City

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We spend a weekend in Luxembourg. I was so sick here that is all seems abit of a blur but still a medieval, magical kind of blur!

This is a view of the Eglise Saint-Jean Baptiste. The Church was built in 1606, and contains Baroque-style furniture, an organ dating from 1710, and a black Madonna carved in walnut.

Tags:   Luemborourg Church Eglise Saint-Jean Baptiste medieval city

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Luxembourg. This bridge was built between 1900 and 1903 and was quite a daring work for its time.It overhangs a beautiful Park which was in Autumn show when we visited.

I like the idea of a bridge for New Year. A bridge from the Old Year into the New. I have probably said before that I am one of those that find the New Year a more melancholy rather than a -yay lets party! My sister will come over, we will have dinner, watch a movie then stand out in the street and watch all the illegal fireworks go off. And then I will say Good Riddance to 23!

"You should always take the best from the past,
leave the worst back there
and go forward into the future" Bob Dylan

Take care my friends and looking forward to sharing a New Year with you all.
Be well

Tags:   Luxembourg bridge Autumn Point Adolphe Adolphe Bridge

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Luxembourg

The origin of the Pétrusse Casemates goes back to 1644, when the Spaniards reinforced the medieval fortifications and built large bastions.

After the 1867 Treaty of London the fortress to be dismantled and most of the entrances were closed. After the demolition, about 17 km of the casemates remained.

In 1933, the first visitors - initially with torches - were able to descend. In 1994 the fortifications of the city of Luxembourg and its old quarters were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

You can buy tickets to tour several sections. This is looking out one of the openings onto the Grund Lower town, once protected by the medieval fortress.

Tags:   Pétrusse Casemates Luxembourg Medieval

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