Grand Ducal Palace, Luxembourg
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The Grand Ducal Palace (Luxembourgish: Groussherzogleche Palais, French: Palais grand-ducal, German: Großherzogliches Palais) is a palace in Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg. It is the official residence of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and where he performs most of his duties as head of state of the Grand Duchy.
[edit] History
The present building originates from 1572, when it was built as the town hall by Adam Roberti. It was renovated in 1728 and extended in 1741, before becoming the préfecture headquarters of the département of Forêts in 1795, during the French administration of Luxembourg.
From 1817, the palace became the residence of the Governor, the representative of the Dutch Grand Dukes. As such, it was used by Prince Henry, during his time as Lieutenant-Representive of Luxembourg. The building's interior was renovated in 1883, in preparation of a visit by Grand Duke William III and his wife, Grand Duchess Emma.
With the accession of the House of Nassau-Weilburg in 1890, the palace was reserved exclusively for the Grand Duke and his family. Under Grand Duke Adolphe, it was comprehensively renovated and a new wing, containined family rooms and guest accommodation, was built by the Belgian architect Gédéon Bordiau and the Luxembourgian state architect, Charles Arendt.
During the German occupation in the Second World War, the Grand Ducal Palace was used by the Nazis as a concert hall and tavern. Extensive damage was done and much of the palace's furniture and art collections was ruined. With the return of Grand Duchess Charlotte from exile in 1945, the palace once again became the seat of the Grand Ducal Court.
Under the supervision of Charlotte, the palace was redecorated during the 1960s. It was thoroughly restored between 1991 and 1996. The interior of the Palace has been regularly renovated to match modern tastes and standards of comfort.
[edit] The Palace today
As the official residence of the Grand Duke, the palace is used by him in the exercise of his official functions. He and the Grand Duchess, together with their staff, have their offices at the palace, and the state rooms on the first floor are used for a variety of meetings and audiences. On Christmas Eve, the Grand Duke's Christmas message is broadcast from the Yellow Room.
Foreign heads of state are accommodated at the palace, as guests of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, during official visits to Luxembourg, and the Ballroom is the setting for state banquets in their honour. Throughout the year, numerous other receptions take place at the palace, such as the New Year's reception given for members of the Government and the Chamber of Deputies.
| Buildings and structures in Luxembourg City | |
|---|---|
| Cercle Municipal | Chamber of Deputies | Fort Thüngen | Grand Ducal Palace | Hall of Justice | Mudam | Municipal Hospital | Museum of History and Art | Museum of Natural History | Neumünster Abbey | Notre Dame Cathedral | Philharmonie | René Konen Tunnel | St Michael's Church | Hôtel de Ville | University of Luxembourg | Utopolis Kirchberg | Villa Louvigny | |
| Sports venues | d'Coque | Stade Achille Hammerel | Stade Josy Barthel | Stade rue Henri Dunant |
| Railway stations | Cents-Hamm station | Dommeldange station | Hollerich station | Luxembourg station |
| Bridges | Adolphe Bridge | Clausen Viaduct | Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge | Passerelle |
| Monuments | American Cemetery | Gëlle Fra | Monument of the Millennium | National Monument of Solidarity |
