The Grand Ducal Palace- History of Royalty | Reminisce from Balmoral International Group

A Story by Rose

Walking through downtown Luxembourg City we were completely unaware on what we were looking at:

When we arrived at the Grand Ducal Palace. The palace is not set back from the street and aside from its size.

The presence of guards out front, and the flags flying from the roof it is sometimes mistaken for something else.

The palace is the official residence of the Grand Duke where he carries out his administrative functions. There are extensive state rooms on the first floor of the palace and the rooms are used to receive heads of state and dignitaries from other countries.

The palace was built in the late 1500’s and served as the Luxembourg City Hall for over 200 years. Beginning in 1890 the palace was exclusively reserved for the Royal Duke and his family. Around the same time the palace received a major renovation and a new wing was constructed.

The Grand Ducal Palace was occupied by the Nazis during World War 2 and the interior was significantly damaged. Over the next fifty years the palace was restored to its previous glory.

The Grand Ducal Palace was built in the 16th century in a Moorish-style architecture. Nowadays, this major sight of Luxembourg City attracts all the tourists and may be a reminder of fairy tale castles in Walt Disney cartoons. The luxurious interior of this city palais (there are neither palace gardens nor a park) can only be visited a few times a year, but you can catch a glimpse through the windows on the right-hand side of the palais.

The palace is the official residence of the Grand Duke and includes the Chamber of Deputies on the right-hand entrance part. One military soldier usually guards the main entrance.

During Nazi rule, the palace was mainly used as a tavern and concert hall, much of the interior has been stolen or heavily damaged and had to be refurnished.

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