Top 15 Attractions of Rumelange, Luxembourg
An ancient nickname described the settlement of Rumelange as Ville de la Terre Rouge, denoting its red-ore covered landscape. The name itself indicates the roman ancestry of the town as a once-powerful colony in the southern Grand duchy. The strategic significance of the township transformed at the end of the medieval era; from a military stronghold in the country into an industrial mining hub.
Although these mines are obsolete and the age of industrialization has vanished, Rumelange encompasses a treasure trove of natural and historic attractions; including the heritage of ancient quarries, medieval castles, villas and churches, roman vestiges, and the canton’s scenic nature reserves. To discover more on your travel to the Keelbach valley, visit the top 15 attractions of Rumelange town and district.
1. Saint Sebastian Church
Church of Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of Rumelange, lies at the heart of Grand Rue and the historical quarters. While it was built in the flourishing era of neo-classicism, the church was designed with a well-executed neo-gothic architecture, dating back to the mid-19th century. The soaring tower marks the parish’s campanile and the entrance; a magnificently carved wooden gate that paves the way to stone-veneered carpet and the highly decorated choir.
The golden altar is complemented with the figurines of Rumelange’s patron saint, Saint Rochus, carved depictions of Abraham and Issac, miracles of Christ, Roman martyr Agnes and multiple statuettes of significant religious personas.
Enlisted among the art-wealthy churches of the ground duchy, the church is home to the faithful benefaction of many artists; Jean-Michel Weber’s outstanding woodworks, sculptures of Christ the shepherd and the Virgin Mary by Albert Hames, stained-glass illustration of the native glass artist Pierre-Hippolyte Linster, Nicolas Brücher’s wall paintings- in the essence of Flemish school- and a pipe organ, built by the craft masters of Lorraine.
2. House of Albert Hames
As a contribution to the native sculptor of Esch-sur-Alzette, the artists’ house, workshops, and a detailed collection of his masterworks are exhibited at his former residence. Religious works and monuments of war and suffering are the principal themes of the sculptures throughout his life. His works can be found in various locations across the country.
Alber Hames’s gallery presents guidelines that outline the inspiration source of the artworks, historic events at the time of creation, and interpretation of details. Classified as a national monument, the structure itself is a heritage site, reflecting the architecture of Luxembourg over a century ago.
3. Cercle Symphonique
In the first decade of the 20th century, the settlement of Rumelange enhanced its communal state to a town title; intervened by industrial investment and cultural developments. Cercle Symphonique was established only a year after, representing a magnificent concert, opera, and non-musical revenues such as football, theatre, and university events. Symphonique harbors classical music events in the form of selective and refined orchestra performances and world-class soloist concerts.
Such particular taste in music is derived from the efforts of Symphonique management, conducted by Georges Wagner; a former military clarinetist with decades of experience as a professional musician and directing the Harmonie Municipale Esch-sur-Alzette, or Esch’s renowned Music City. the complex blends classic art, refined ambient and heart-touching performances together, for a memorable musical experience.
4. Cinema and Galerie d’Art Municipale
Rumelange is home to the grand duchy’s first cinema theatre, located at rue des Martyrs; an indicator of the cultural inclination of Käldall residents. The original structure was mounted in 1896 as a café and a sitting hall as a get-together hub.
It was only the beginning of the 20th century and the outbreak of cinema entertainment before WWI, that cinema Kursaal was founded and immediately gained excellent success. Through multiple renovations upgraded the movie projection technology according to updates and enhanced the audience facilities; setting forth a state-of-the-art movie theatre.
The town’s art gallery is sustained on the state funds, as an assistance to promotion of culture and providing creative space for artists. Temporary exhibitions and workshops and a culturally rich ambient for intellectual opinion exchange are the highlights of this galley.
At Grand Rue and paces from the Galerie d’Art Municipale, numerous elegant cafes and fine diners with sunny terraces grant a place to taste the authentic pastries and savory dishes; an addition to the imaginative immersion and art gazing.
5. Musée National des Mines
Bordering with Lorraine plateau, the iron-rich bedrock of Rumelange played an important role in the country’s industrial movement in the late-19th century. Bearing in mind the available technology at the time of construction, this mining ground is considered a unique example with outstanding engineering. At 90 meters below the surface, the mining tunnels track the locomotive trails and end at the underground national museum with historic exhibitions.
The timely arrangement of these displays illustrates the technological development of tools and huge leaps of engineering methods during the industrial era; old maps, handwritten documents, digging and drilling tools, mining train units, and belongings such as; photo archives and work clothes of the hard-working miners.
6. Parc de la Fenderie and Stade Municipal
Marking the largest municipal green zone in Rumelange, Fenderie park lounges on the banks of Källbach river. This verdant refuge at the city’s center is the get-together hub of citizens with a cozy cafeteria, children’s playground, and lined with the self walk trail of Rumelange.
Stade Municipal gains its popularity from Luxembourgers’ keen interest in football, housing the football stadium of the municipality. Surrounding the futuristic stadium lies well-arranged gardens with shaded benches, a tennis court, a play area, and fast-food restaurants. Only paces from the stadium, Rue des Martyrs marks the cultural epicenter, lined with art galleries, theatres, and fine diners of both typical and continental cuisines.
7. Haardt Nature Reserve
From the skirts of Vosges mountain range, the metropolis sits in a large and rather flat gorge, formed by the gushing stream of Keelbach; hence earning the name, Keeldall. While neighboring with the French confines, the district encompasses a plentiful nature and hiking routes that cross beyond the national borders. Woodlands such as the burnt forest, a small jungle loaded with unearthed vestiges from the Gallo-roman era, and the Nature reserve Haardt.
Recognized as the largest national park in Luxembourg, Haardt is a game reserve and shelters numerous animal and plant species, replanted native vegetation, and multiple heritage sites. Similar to most of the southern woodlands, the serenity of this nature reserve was compromised following the development of mining quarries.
However, the Minette exhausted their resources, and nature returned to its blossoming state. Remnants of the mines often displayed as national monuments, war memorials and a roman barricaded castle, medieval walls and religious heritage sites feature the attractions of the natural preserve.
8. Kayl Valley and Church
Sitting on the fertile slopes of Kayl valley, Rumelange ranks as a popular trekking destination for its landscape; the iron-borne red soil of the ancient quarries, filled with turquoise lagoons, trails passing under limestone arches, carved by the river, and scenic hikes to spectacular viewpoints.
The trail around the valley unveils the historic glimmers of the municipality, sheathed between dense vegetation; comprising Kayl’s National War Memorial, the Military Monument of British Soldiers, and the National Trail of “Sentier du Sud”.
While cycling or walking on the circular walk around Kayl, it is recommended not to miss on the fascinating townships of southern Luxembourg; settlements that despite their vicinity, each offer a unique characteristic. Hamlet of Schifflange is known for its baroque church of Saint Martine, adjacent ancient cemetery, and noted for its quality wine; extracted from the vineyards of northern Kiemelbach stream.
Tétange, on the other hand, is associated with a roman ancestry-similar to Rumelange itself- and most visited for the 19th-century mine. Tétange also features a handful of the war memorial with stone tablets in distinct spots, and a striking Catholic Church dedicated to Saint Joseph, and its adjoining medieval chapel in the order of the Virgin Mary.
9. Pétange
A brief drive from Rumelange lies a city with an antiquated legacy. The roots of the current settlement of Pétange dates back to the 10th century; however, the excavations of the ancient vestiges testified the presence of sophisticated celt inhabitants prior to Christianity. Later, the small dwelling developed into a thriving town, predominantly under the influence of Lorraine Monarchs.
These influences manifested in the local’s dialect as a French-speaking population, as well as cuisine. Distinguished attractions of Pétange comprise the magnificent sight of Celtic Oppodium on Titelberg hill, a strategic fort hill, the mining museum of Fond de Gras village, and the annual carnival of Pétange before the season of Lent.
10. Bettembourg and Castle
The municipality of Bettembourg is located within the boundaries of its Nature Reserve and connected by a moderate hike to Rumelange. While the population of the municipality is relatively low, it embodies various historic monuments, premium entertainment centers such as a neoteric football stadium, artistic centers, and posh tourist amenities.
Though the most prominent feature of the borough marks the center, at the proximity of the baroque church and medieval mansions; the castle of Bettembourg’s initial establishment foregoes to the 10th century- concurrently with the formation of Luxembourg as a country. The original architecture expanded throughout the 500 consecutive years until the 16th century. Today, the chateau houses the town hall and an art gallery with permanent and temporary exhibitions of international artists.
11. Aspelt
On the ancient road that linked Rome to Luxembourg, Aspelt sprawled along the way, representing a former Roman colony and later an affluent medieval town. The appearance of Aspelt’s castle hints to the strong baroque inclination of its architecture, which has remained unchanged since the 16th century.
A few elements reveal the origin of its foundation as a 12th-century stronghold, which was erected on the remains of a Roman fort. Round towers with conical tops and the courtyard yet embrace the primary gothic elements of style. Medieval villas and mansion residences serve the public purpose, such as the town hall revenues and stone-built Al Schoul- or secondary school.
12. Lameschmillen Medieval Mill
Lameschmillen is the title given to three water mills across the grand duchy, one of which rises in the vicinity of Bergem; hence its nickname, the Bergemer Mühle. These watermills functioned as flour refineries since the 11th century. The buildings have been entirely constructed from the 15th century onwards until the latest alterations in the 20th century.
Interesting stone tags and historical remarks depict the various ownerships over the Lamescher Mills; through occupation force or by inheritance. These mills are still functional, contemplating in a thousand-year-long operation, registered as UNESCO Heritage Sites, and sided by restaurant and cottage accommodations.
13. Limestone Kilns
In 1929, De Léon Berens, a wealthy Rumelange businessman, assembled a few large ovens in order to process the extracted limestone into raw material. Identified as the limestone kilns, the giant conical ovens are out of commission, since the bankruptcy of the shareholding company.
As a remnant of neo-classical architecture aging over to a century ago, the abandoned kilns are an interesting cultural pole within the historic industrial revolution of Luxembourg.
14. Budersberg
Another city that interconnects to Rumelange by trails of Kayl valley, is the historic inhabitation of Budersberg. Parts of the nature reserve of Haardt, the ancient pilgrim footpath to Mont St. Jean, and the Italian neighborhood are the historically significant landmarks of this region.
A medieval chapel named the Chapel of Saint Luke and Church of Saint-Jean, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and the sacred Mount contributed to the religious significance of the township for many generations. An ancient roman site is labeled as Fort Le Mont-Saint-Jean, with remains of archaic chambers, watchtowers, and an adjoining cemetery.
15. Rodange
Covered amid the velvety green valley of Kuer, the small town of Rodange rises high with its gothic bell tower; the church of Rodange is dedicated to the parish Kordell Saint Barbe, marking the most beautiful structure in the township. Each year hundreds of tourists visit the municipality as a base camp to the scenic landscape and natural trekking facilities nearby.
Though, tourism does not stand as the only way of income for this municipality; since the discovery of steel mines, processing, and mending steel has been a major revenue for the commune and the grand duchy. Doihl mining tunnels and the valley of Wild Woman are mentionable attractions outside the rural frontiers of Rodange.
As the footpaths continue towards the north of Kayl valley, a handful of settlements offer natural and monumental wonders with an interesting history. Mondercange village has evolved around the culture of the sport, housing a European-league-quality football club, and a karting track used by the world-famous driver Michael Schumacher.
Only an hour walk from Mondercange, the trails reach to Bergem; a modest town best appreciated for its colossal parish church. Other attractive elements of the borough mark the Bergem Lane Alley, a romantic and tree-lined road to the medieval mills and the idyllic promenade on the banks of the Mess river.
