Luxembourg, Luxembourg: Fortress of Luxemborg

Luxembourg has been in the way of conflict between France and Germany over the centuries. Geography has done it no favors, it seems.

When faced that problem back in the 14th century, the country took the obvious step: it built a fortress. If you wanted to get up to the city on top of the mountain, you had a large obstacle in your way.

The fortress eventually became known as the Gibraltar of the North, and it kept the bad guys away more or less for a few hundred years. 

But in 1867, the Treaty of London was signed, and Luxembourg was guaranteed its neutrality. Therefore, the fortress was ordered to come down, more or less. Actually, it was simply altered to be unfit for military service. As you can see, the remains are still around. 

If you walk across a bridge into the city, this is the view you get. Spectacular. 

Here's an angle I didn't see.