Casemates of Bock

The Bock casemates, underground labyrinth of the fortress

The Luxembourg audio-guided tour leads you to the entrance of the famous Bock casemates, the city's most celebrated attraction. They draw more than one hundred thousand visitors a year and have been listed as World Heritage since 1994.

A network carved into the rock

A casemate is an underground network carved into the rock, here several kilometres long. Each time the fortress passed into new hands, the occupants improved the defensive system so as not to lose it again. Over the centuries, Spaniards, French, Austrians and Prussians thus extended this labyrinth of galleries and tunnels, one of the most impressive in Europe.

What there is to see

The visit lets you walk through part of this maze carved into the Bock rock, with its loopholes and openings overlooking the Alzette valley. The casemates could shelter troops, cannons and even workshops. It is a striking dive into the military history of Luxembourg, ranked among the city's major sites.

Practical information

The Bock casemates are on the Bock rock, in the heart of the old town of Luxembourg. They can be visited according to their own schedule; admission is charged and opening times vary with the season. The visit, underground, involves stairs and calls for good shoes.

What is a casemate?

A casemate is an underground network carved into the rock, for military use. Those of the Bock, several kilometres long, could shelter troops and cannons.

How long have the casemates been listed?

The Bock casemates have been listed as World Heritage since 1994 and draw more than one hundred thousand visitors a year.