Château de Vianden

About the museum

The castle stands on a rocky spur above the town of Vianden. Excavations show that a fortification already existed there in late antiquity; around the year 1000 the first medieval stone castle was built, and from about 1100 it served the Counts of Vianden as a permanent residence. Around 1170 it was extensively remodeled, including a chapel with a decagonal plan and a new residential tower. At the beginning of the 13th century a representative palas was added, and in the middle of the century Gothic alterations followed.

After the extinction of the comital family, the county passed to the House of Orange-Nassau in 1417, and the castle lost its role as a residence. The state rooms were then used as storerooms; in the 19th century the complex fell into decay. In 1820 it was auctioned off, and the new owner had buildings demolished and the building materials sold. Later the castle came into the possession of the Grand-Ducal family; since 1977 it has belonged to the Luxembourg state and is being restored in its historical form.

In the visitor centre, a path leads through the different building and usage periods, and a film on a large screen shows the construction phases of the complex based on 3D scans. The tour of the castle itself comprises 22 stations, including the Knights’ Hall.

Highlights

• Visitor centre with a path through the building periods and 3D film
• Tour with 22 stations through the Knights’ Hall, chapel and residential buildings
• Smartphone audio guide in eleven languages
• One of the largest Romanesque and Gothic noble castles in Europe
• Café, shop and lockers on site

Permanent exhibitions

• Besucherzentrum – A path leads through the construction and usage periods of the castle; a 3D film on a large screen shows the individual building phases.
• Rundgang durch die Burg – Tour with 22 stations through the medieval count’s castle, including the Knights’ Hall.

Operated by

Les Amis du Château de Vianden asbl (Eigentümer: Luxemburger Staat)

Admission & discounts

Prices apply all year round except during the medieval festival. Admission prices include the €1 tourist tax of the Municipality of Vianden. Card payment is possible from €10.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The path to the castle is steep and paved; the tour involves numerous stairs. The Knights’ Hall, the event hall and all areas of the visitor centre are step-free, and the visitor centre also has an accessible public restroom. A disabled parking space is about 300 meters away.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The castle lies above the town and the access road is steep. A disabled parking space is about 300 meters from the castle.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Cafeteria in the visitor centre, shop and lockers (according to Visit Éislek / Visit Luxembourg).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

Up to 220 guests.

Celebrations for 40 to 220 people in the large festival hall or in the Knights’ Hall; the rooms and outdoor area are also suitable for photo shoots.

Plan your visit