Place Guillaume II, Luxembourg

Place Guillaume II, affectionately known by locals as “Knuedler”, is one of the most iconic public squares in Luxembourg City’s historic Ville Haute (Upper Town). Originally the site of a Franciscan monastery dating from the 13th century, its name derives from the knot worn in the friars’ belts (Luxembourgish knued). After the monastery was confiscated by the French in 1797 and later demolished, the square was redeveloped, eventually gifted to the city by Napoleon in the early 19th century.

The western edge of Place Guillaume II is dominated by the elegant neoclassical City Hall (Hôtel de Ville), completed in 1838 and featuring distinctive twin lion sculptures added in 1938 by Auguste Trémont. On the eastern side, you’ll find the striking equestrian statue of Grand Duke William II, erected in 1884 to commemorate the ruler who granted Luxembourg its first parliamentary constitution. The pedestal is adorned with heraldic symbols representing the House of Orange‑Nassau and all twelve cantons of the Grand Duchy.

Today, the square buzzes with life, especially on Wednesdays and Saturdays, when a lively farmers’ market springs up, featuring local gardeners and vendors selling produce, flowers, cheese, preserves, and more. Beyond its market charm, Knuedler hosts seasonal open-air concerts and cultural events, including the long-running Rock um Knuedler festival, which attracted up to 10,000 guests before recent interruptions-celebrated for bringing international acts to the heart of the city.

A stroll through Place Guillaume II is more than just sightseeing-it’s an immersion into Luxembourg’s past and present. From its medieval roots and historic architecture to its everyday vibrancy as a community hub, this square captures the spirit of the city.