Belgium and Luxembourg (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

LUXEMBOURG CITY 245

P Cour de Justice
Boulevard Konrad Adenauer.
http://www.perraultarchitecte.com
One of the most impressive
buildings in Kirchberg has
always been the Cour de
Justice – Court of Justice of
the European Union. This
classically proportioned, yet
uncompromisingly modern
structure of dark-brown steel
is raised on a broad plinth,
suggesting the full force of
orderly law. Designed by a
Belgian-Luxembourg partner-
ship, it was completed in

1970. The Court has the task
      of ensuring that EU law is
      correctly interpreted and
      applied across all the member
      states – a huge task that has
      become even greater with the
      recent enlargement of the EU
      to 27 member states.
      The original building is now
      being renovated and extended
      to create an even more impres-
      sive effect. Following designs
      by French architect Dominique
      Perrault (b.1953), it has been
      completely surrounded by a

E Musée d’Art Moderne

Grand-Duc Jean

Park Draï Eechelen, Kirchberg.

Tel 453785-1. # 11am–8pm Wed–

Fri, 11am–6pm Sat–Mon. & 7 -

= http://www.mudam.lu

Abbreviated to MUDAM, this

modern art museum is the

country’s most prized architec-

tural statement: a stunning

glass and sandstone edifice

designed by Ieoh Ming Pei, the

Chinese-American architect

best known for his ingenious

glass pyramids at the Louvre in

Paris. MUDAM first opened its

doors in 2006. The exhilarating

spaces on three levels inside,

are used for temporary exhibi-

tions, where artists are invited

to interact with the unique

E Dräi Eechelen

Park Dräi Eechelen 5,

Kirchberg. Tel 264335. &

http://www.visitluxembourg.lu

The Three Acorns (Dräi

Eechelen in Lëtzebuergesch,

Trois Glands in French) is

the nickname given to Fort

Thüngen, because of the

acorn symbols that crown

each of its three round tow ers.

Although it looks more like a

Renaissance fortress, this

curious bastion, with its

arrow-shaped ground plan,

was built by the Austrians in

1732–3; a century later, it was

upgraded by the Prussians.

After the destruction of the

city’s fortifications in 1867, the

fort was all but buried and

forgotten. However, its histor ic

and architectural value was

reassessed and it has now been

restored and turned into the

fortress museum of mili tary

and national history, with

particular focus on Vauban’s

contribution to Luxembourg

City’s fortifications. The fort

forms part of the Vauban

Circuit, a 4-km (3-mile) long

walk that loops between

Kirchberg and the eastern

side of the Old Town.

giant square frame on pillars,

com ple mented by two addi-

tional towers, and all covered

in bronzed sheeting.

Parliament’s Congress and
Conference Centre. The
National Library, to the west of
the Philharmonie, was founded
in the late 18th century and
will take up residence in a new
purpose-built home in the
Kirschberg area in 2014. To the
south is the curious, cantilev-
ered Hemicycle. Completed in
1979, it was used for plenary
sessions of the European
Parliament and now serves as
a conference centre.

Stalwart towers of the Dräi Eechelen, defending the approaches to the city

The futuristic glass forms of the Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean

opportunities offered by the

varying shapes and light

provided by the architecture.

MUDAM’s growing permanent

collection of paintings, photo-

graphy, film, video art and

installations, is also exhibited

in rotation at the museum. It

includes work by well-known

names such as Gilbert &

George, Richard Long, Cy

Twombly, and Grayson Perry.

Deep tranquillity of the Luxembourg Ardennes surrounding Esch-sur-Sûre