Things to see and do Mersch

Discover milk and its various transformations. Luxembourg's only dairy, Luxlait, invites visitors to discover milk and its benefits through 45 interactive stations, a 3D cinema and a dairy production gallery. Immerse yourself in a fun and refreshing journey around agriculture, well-being, the body, health and food. It's a new experience for families of all ages. Last but not least, it's possible to eat on site.

The church of St. Michael, called the decanal church, dates from the mid-19th century. It was built in the neoclassical style between 1844 and 1850. Its pediment is supported by four Doric columns. The interior is characterized by clear lines and volumes of the right proportions. A rounded apse completes the choir. From 1934 to 1939, the interior was repainted by the artist Notker Becker O.S.B. from the Benedictine Abbey of Maria Laach in the Eifel. The architecture and interior decoration make this church one of the most beautiful in the country.

Located in the center of the small town, the castle of Mersch has long since lost its ramparts and its moat. Of simple appearance, made of stone and slate roof, preceded by a rural outbuilding with a typical red-pink color, it has been the object of numerous restorations over the centuries. Today it is the first stop in the Valley of the Seven Castles. Its construction dates back to the Middle Ages, in 1232, when Theodoric I became the founder of the lordship of Mersch. However, the fortress was stormed by Burgundian troops and burned down. It was then rebuilt for the first time. In 1304, the first noble family of Mersch died out for lack of male lineage. Through successive marriages, the lordship passed into the hands of numerous families: Milberg, Kerpen-Manders-cheid, Brandenburg, Feltz, Autel, Mohr von Waldt, Reinach, Sonnenberg. The last noble owners, the Von Sonnenberg-Reinach, sold the castle in 1898 to a wholesale trader Charles Schwartz-Hallinger. In 1927 it became the property of a bailiff, Pierre Uhres-Fabritius.

Then, in 1957, the municipality acquired the castle, before selling it to the State just three years later. But thanks to an exchange contract signed in 1988, the commune regained ownership of the castle. In 1993, after extensive renovations, the castle became the seat of the municipal administration. Today it houses the administrative offices of the municipality. It is therefore not possible to visit the interior.

The Lords of Reckingen were first mentioned in documents in the 12th century. The castle was owned by the Fock von Hübingen family in the 16th century (Ernst Fock von Hübingen, who died in 1573, is buried in the parish church in a Renaissance vault) and later by Cavalry Captain Peter Blum in 1699. In 1870 the fortress was completely razed to the ground. The medieval keep, with dimensions of 9 x 9 m and 1.5 m thick walls, was preserved over a height of 3 m, before being integrated into a private dwelling.

If you are passing through the Guttland, this is the reference to find out about the destination. The website presents all the activities, accommodation, restaurants and practical information of this part of Luxembourg which includes 20 communes. Brochures can be downloaded free of charge. During the summer season, the ORT Guttland organizes guided tours of various tourist sites every day of the week. Some of them are at night.

This 13-hectare park is a popular place for relaxation for locals and visitors alike. With its vast lawns, majestic trees and tranquil pond, it invites visitors to stroll and picnic. Its paths wind through a variety of natural landscapes, from flower gardens to wooded areas, offering a soothing experience. Children can have fun on the modern, safe playgrounds, while benches dotted around the park offer perfect places to relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

Erected in 1707, the Saint-Michel tower, named after the famous archangel who struck down evil, is a remnant of the former parish church. It is 40 metres high and has an original architectural form. Recognizable by its unique dome-shaped dome roof with an octagonal, baroque bulb, it is the symbol of the city of Mersch. Since 1997, the monument has had a faithful companion and neighbour, a bronze dragon statue. The St. Michael's Tower houses the Tourist Info, where you can find all the necessary information about the region.

Mersch houses, in a small building in the centre of the Rue des Romains, the foundations of a Gallo-Roman villa with a very well preserved hypocaust (an underfloor heating system). The site was partially excavated in 1905-1906, by the state architect C. Arendt. About 20 metres away, there are traces of what was once a monumental basin, 6 m wide and 75 m long. This basin, once made of stone,is today largely covered by grass. The drainage channel channelled the excess water back into the Mamer.

Owned by the State since 1947, this former fortress is now in ruins. However, one of the towers and the walls are fairly well preserved. Its enclosure forms a square of 30 metres on each side, which was once surrounded by a moat fed by the Weillerbach stream. Its history dates back to the 10th century: the fortress was then known as Pittigero Mazini. The name Pettingen or Pittange was not given to it until the 13th century.

The CNL is located in a large bourgeois house built in the baroque style in 1788. It was home to the Servais family, who exerted great political and economic influence on the country. The centre possesses literary works dating from 1815 to the present day in the three languages of the country and aims to promote Luxembourg literature. The library, which is open to the public, contains 25,000 books and other documents. Temporary exhibitions complete the visit.