Place d'Armes (Arms Square), Luxembourg

Arms Square is one of the liveliest gathering places in Luxembourg City’s Old Town. The entire square is pedestrian-only, and in warmer months its edges fill with restaurant and café terraces. Concerts, markets, and other outdoor events are often held here. Near the center, the music kiosk, or bandstand, makes a useful orientation point.

From the bandstand, face east along the square. The large historic building closing off this end is Cercle Cité. You can recognize it by its pale stone façade, broad ground-floor arches, tall upper windows, clock, and corner tower. Built in the early 20th century, it originally served municipal and ceremonial functions. In the 1950s, it was also used by early European institutions, including the Court of Justice of the European Coal and Steel Community. Today, it serves mainly as a venue for exhibitions, conferences, and cultural events.

Before moving on, look high on the façade. There you will see a sculpted relief showing Countess Ermesinde presenting Luxembourg’s citizens with their charter of freedom in 1244.

Now, turn around and walk west, back past the bandstand to the opposite end of the square. Here, in Square Jan Palach, stands the Dicks-Lentz Monument, easily identified by the tall column topped by a lion. It honors two important Luxembourgish poets: Edmond de la Fontaine, known as Dicks, and Michel Lentz, who wrote the words of Luxembourg’s national anthem. The lion represents the Grand Duchy, while figures below symbolize industry and agriculture. The monument also bears the national motto, “We want to remain what we are.”

From here, look back across Arms Square and imagine its earlier military role. After a major fire devastated much of the Upper Town in 1554, Dutch engineer Sebastian van Noyen planned a new market here. The present square was laid out in 1671 and later used as a parade ground for the city garrison, which explains its name. Under Louis XIV, it was paved and planted with lime trees. Today, the former military square is a relaxed social center filled with cafés, music, and public life.