Bock Casemates, Underground fortress museum in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
The Bock Casemates are a network of military passages carved deep into the rock beneath Luxembourg City's old quarter. The tunnels connect different levels and create routes through several kilometers of underground space.
Austrian engineers excavated these fortifications in 1745, creating one of Europe's strongest fortress positions. The structures withstood French sieges and later earned Luxembourg its nickname as the Gibraltar of the North.
The name Bock comes from the Latin word for rock, referring to the rocky outcrop where everything stands. Visitors see remains today from the first castle that Count Sigfried built here.
The passages can be explored year-round, with enclosed spaces staying cool and damp. Sturdy shoes and a jacket are practical choices, as the paths are uneven and temperatures underground remain constantly cool.
Field Marshal von Bender hid in the deepest tunnels during the 1794-1795 siege and coordinated the defense from there. This underground command center played a crucial role in repelling the French attacks.
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