About the tour
De Minett, as Luxembourgers refer to the Land of the Red Rocks in the south of Luxembourg, derives its name from the glowing red iron ore that dominates the natural landscape. The ferrous ore made a substantial contribution to the Grand Duchy’s economic development and rapid rise in prosperity during the mid-19th century.
Following the steel crisis in the 1970s, Luxembourg underwent a successful structural change and embarked upon a new economic course. Fortunately, however, numerous remnants from the bygone steel era remained intact and an area holding fascinating attractions for visitors developed.
Covering around 35 kilometres, the Minett Tour links five places featuring different topics of interest. They guide visitors of all ages through the history of the Luxembourg steel industry up to the present day and indeed into the future ...
The sites are all quite unique and exude a charm all of their own. Throughout the year, folk festivals, music and art festivals, concerts and exhibitions, dance and theatre productions magically transform the locations, most of which are heritage sites.
We trust your Minett Tour will prove an unforgettable experience!
All sites can be visited for free. Guided tours are available on request.
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Minett Park Fond-de-Gras
Thèmes
Iron ore mining, Journeys in historic trains
Social history, Nature reserve
Geology, Archaeology
The Minett Park Fond-de-Gras is an open-air museum that includes the Fond-de-Gras, the village of Lasauvage, the former open-cast mine of Giele Botter and the Celtic oppidum of Titelberg.
Fond-de-Gras was one of the most important mining centres in Luxembourg. However the extraction of iron ore ended in 1955. In 1964, a landslide on the Fond-de-Gras – Pétange railway line put an end to all railway activities. A few years later, volunteers commit to run a tourist train with historic steam locomotives. The first "Train 1900" circulated in 1973. A few years later, an old mine is opened again and can be visited thanks to the mining train "Minièresbunn".
Today, at the Fond-de-Gras, several historic buildings have been preserved: an electric power station, old grocery store, rolling mill train, railway station and railway sheds, testifying to the mining activity that took place there for nearly a century.
Blast furnaces Belval / Esch-sur-Alzette
Thèmes
Iron & steel production, contemporary architecture,
Research & Innovation
Belval was once the site of Luxembourg’s biggest ironworks, and has now become one of the most ambitious urban development projects in Europe: the reconversion of a former industrial site. One very special feature is that parts of the former industrial site are being renovated and integrated into the new urban quarter. These industrial remnants are now a symbol of renewal, connecting past to present.
An absolute must see is the blast furnace A which has been renovated and is open for the public and can be visited. You can climb up the stairs along the blast furnace up to a platform from which you will enjoy a stunning view over Belval and a large part of the most southern region of Luxembourg.
Museum of the Cockerill Mine Esch/Alzette
Thèmes
Living environment, Working environment
Nature reserve
The restored colliery site of the Katzenberg Mine with the museum of the Cockerill Mine, the adjacent nature reserve and the Nature Conservation Centre Ellergronn is a particular jewel with a very rich history.
The Katzenberg mine dates back to 1881. After its closure in 1967, the facilities began to deteriorate until a group of highly motivated former miners, started restoring the majestic buildings which had partly fallen into ruin. Their aim was to preserve the industrial heritage for future generations.
Today, one of the renovated houses used as a small mining museum where miners’ tools are displayed, among which the drills are particularly noteworthy. Various archived photos display the hardship endured by the miners at work. The collection also includes several fossils found during mining. Spread across the area, visitors can marvel at the hanging room, a forge and mining vehicles.
National Mining Museum Rumelange
Thèmes
Iron ore mining, Underground galleries
Transport, Geology
Open-cast mines
The National Mining Museum collections include tools, machinery, equipment and archives relating to iron ore mining in Luxembourg from the 1870s to the 1990s.
The greater part of the collection is located in the underground galleries of the mine. Presented in its original location, equipment and machinery testifies to more than 100 years of technological development.
Inspired by this spectacular presentation, the visitor will discover the true nature and reality of a miner’s work.
Documentation Centre for Human Migrations Dudelange
Thèmes
History of Migration, History of each and everyone of us
The Documentation Centre for Human Migrations (CDMH), managed by an asbl (non-profit association), is mainly interested in heritage relating to migration, which it highlights by means of specific itineraries. The traditional ‘Sunday appointments’ regularly serve as a framework for the presentation and debate of scientific, literary and artistic works covering the theme of migration.
The Italian quarter, a living museum - a museum without walls
The Gare-Usines, which serves as the headquarters of the CDMH and which provides access to the Italien workers’ quarter ("Italy" in Luxembourgish), was established at the end of the nineteenth century next to the Dudelange steel factory. The CDMH’s aim is to raise awareness of the history of the Italy quarter’s inhabitants, as part of a "museum without walls". Tours of the district are arranged on a regular basis to discover its unique architecture and monuments.
