During the eight months of the year that the Bock Casemates were open, visitor numbers reached an all-time high in 2019, breaking the 150,000 threshold and recording 152,223 visitors. According to the LCTO, the tourist site increased visitors by 17% compared to 2018.
The Casemates opened to the public for the first time in 1933 and nearing a century later, remain the capital's most popular tourist attraction. The month with the highest number of visitors was August, which accounted for a total of 29,326 visitors throughout the month. This corresponds to an average of 1,000 visitors each day. Various guided tours in different languages also had 4,219 visitors.
The historical fortifications of the capital are considered a must-see for visitors to Luxembourg, providing a glimpse back to the centuries of Luxembourg under foreign rule. The Bock Casemates were first introduced by the Austrians in 1745-1746.
The Casemates belong to a network of 23 km of underground chambers on different floors, reaching a depth of 40 metres. The largest gallery of 60 metres allows visitors to see the canon chambers - and extraordinary panoramic views of the capital. Centuries ago, the fortifications could accommodate a garrison of up to 1,200 soldiers and some 50 canons.
For more information, check out our Knowledge Bite on the Casemates.
