Even though the stables are part of a historic site protected by monument conservation laws, the building has been torn down by the administration of the nursing home occupying the castle. This means that another part of Luxembourgish heritage has now disappeared, as a landmark of almost 400 years that fell victim to the series of growth initiatives across the Grand Duchy.
It is to be noted that the nursing home decided to create more room for their patients, although it is believed that an alternative way could have been found that would have prevented the tearing down of the stable building.
A group of protesters met in front of the construction site to raise awareness of the growing tendency to disregard historic sites in the name of progress. Interestingly enough, the association "Luxembourg Under Destruction" was founded by a group of expats living in the Grand Duchy and managed to accumulate 1,600 members within a short span of months.
The case of the Heisdorf Castle involved a number of different governmental and municipal institutions, the most notable difference of opinion being between the ministry for family affairs and the ministry for culture. The Asbl Marédoc, which runs the nursing home on the site in question, declined to comment on the issue.
Minister for Culture Sam Tanson has shown regret over the inability to find a compromise between the nursing home and the ministry. She was the person who had initiated the legal protection of the stable in the first place. Even though three of the building's portals will remain intact, it still constitutes a major loss of Luxembourgish heritage.
Tanson further emphasised that the ministry still had some amount of catching up to do when it comes to the preservation of historic sites. The minister therefore thanked the numerous associations for their relentless work in raising awareness of these destruction processes.
Video in Luxembourgish with some English
