descriptions

Vianden castle is one of the most impressive remains of medieval profane architecture. The edifice is dominating the Our river valley and meant to impress. The old counts of Vianden wanted to show their entitlement with these buildings.

 

From the 3rd century B.C. to the 5th century A.D. there was first treverian, later roman occupation of the hilltop, maybe with a temple or a fortress. Due to numerous later transformations and additions little can be said for sure about this.

 

The abandoned roman structure was re-occupied around 700 AD. From the 11th century, the site became the main stronghold of a noble family later known as Counts of Vianden. The castle got the main outlines of today’s shape in the 12th century; by the end of the 15th century, the high gabled roofs have been added. From the beginning of the 17th century not very much was further changed on the architecture, and the place became gradually unused from 1795 - 1814.

 

From 1820 onward the edifice was vandalized and fell into ruins.

 

First restoration works were executed in the second half of the 19th century (chapel), followed by more profound reconstructions in the first quarter of the 20th century (great hall, gallery, etc.). Entrance hall & armory got new vaults from 1966 - 69, and from 1978 the castle was almost entirely reconstructed (roofs, vaults of great hall, knight's study, timber work, courtyard buildings etc.)