{"id":57448,"date":"2020-05-02T13:25:57","date_gmt":"2020-05-02T13:25:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/castle-vianden.lu\/?page_id=57448"},"modified":"2020-05-26T08:20:20","modified_gmt":"2020-05-26T08:20:20","slug":"geschichte","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/castle-vianden.lu\/gb\/geschichte\/","title":{"rendered":"HISTORY"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column]

<\/span>The history of Vianden Castle<\/span><\/div><\/div>[vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The Fortress of Late Antiquity<\/span><\/h3>\n

The rocky <\/span>outcrop<\/span> above the <\/span>modern<\/span> town of <\/span>Vianden<\/span> was first fortified in Late A<\/span>ntiquity. <\/span>The excavations carried out at the foot of the Castle C<\/span>hapel in 1994 led to the discovery that parts of the <\/span>crumbling<\/span> masonr<\/span>y of the Late Antiquity<\/span> tower must hav<\/span>e existed in Merovingian times <\/span>and that this square <\/span>building, the only surviving structure from the period known as Late Antiquity, <\/span>was <\/span>incorporated into the first medieval Castle.<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/span>The first fortification was <\/span>constructed at the beginning of Late A<\/span>ntiquity on the castle hill at a<\/span>n<\/span> ancient<\/span> crossroads, where a <\/span>branch <\/span>from the great Reims-Cologne Roman road through the Ardennes and the Our valley led to the <\/span>Sauer<\/span> valley and <\/span>,<\/span>via <\/span>Echternach<\/span>, towards <\/span>Bitburg<\/span> and<\/span> Trier, <\/span>at that time a thriving m<\/span>etropolis<\/span>. The<\/span> fortification was presumably used by <\/span>the townsfolk as a refuge<\/span> during this period of constant threat from the <\/span>Germanic tribes<\/span> (ca. 275 AD). The few coins and the oldest pieces of pottery date this period <\/span>to the final<\/span> decades of the 3<\/span>rd<\/span> century<\/span> AD<\/span>. Some coins, as well as most of the pottery, can be dated to the <\/span>era of the Emperor Constantine<\/span> and the middle of the 4<\/span>th<\/span>century AD, when the stone <\/span>fort was<\/span> built. Examples include terra <\/span>sigillata<\/span> items <\/span>from the workshops in Trier, which were still in operation at the time, and some <\/span>sigillata<\/span> vessels with roller-stamped decoration from the Argonne pottery workshops.<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/span>After the <\/span>Vianden<\/span> fort was<\/span> abandoned in around 430\/440 AD, t<\/span>he Roman <\/span>T<\/span>ower <\/span>seems to have been sufficiently usable for it to remain a decisive element in the <\/span>subsequent <\/span>construction periods of the C<\/span>astle <\/span>until the H<\/span>igh Middle Ages.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”57449″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”orange” onclick=”link_image” css_animation=”zoomIn”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_text_separator title=”” i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-landmark” color=”custom” add_icon=”true” accent_color=”#ff0000″][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The castle in the E<\/span>arly Middle Ages<\/span><\/h3>\n

The phrase<\/span> “…in <\/span>monte<\/span> Viennense<\/span> cum <\/span>vinitore<\/span>…” <\/span>used when Abbess <\/span>Irmina<\/span> of <\/span>Oeren<\/span>donated the<\/span> Villa <\/span>Epternacus<\/span> (<\/span>Echternach<\/span>) to Bishop <\/span>Willibrord<\/span> in 697\/698 AD<\/span>, almost certainly<\/span> refers to <\/span>Vianden<\/span>. The archaeological <\/span>excavations<\/span> revealed artefacts<\/span> from the early Middle Ages <\/span>across<\/span> the entire <\/span>enceinte of the C<\/span>astle<\/span>. The finds<\/span> from excavations in the <\/span>Bailey<\/span> proved that parts of <\/span>Late A<\/span>ntiquity <\/span>fortification <\/span>were still in use in the <\/span>E<\/span>arly Middle Ages. The pottery finds from the <\/span>Bailey<\/span> date back to around 700 <\/span>AD <\/span>and <\/span>attest<\/span> to continuous settlement from then until the <\/span>Late<\/span> Middle Ages. However, <\/span>there are no finds which cover the period between 430 and 700 AD. None the less, it is highly probable that the lower wooden fortification was restored and, along with the supervising ancient stone tower, used again in the Frankish period.<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/span>The floor plan with the fortified <\/span>Gatehouse<\/span>, as it existed even in <\/span>Roman<\/span> times, may be <\/span>taken as proof<\/span> for <\/span>the concept of what the Bailey might have looked like. Only the stone tower was definitely used again in the upper part of the Castle.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”57456″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”orange” onclick=”link_image” css_animation=”zoomIn”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_text_separator title=”” i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-landmark” color=”custom” add_icon=”true” accent_color=”#ff0000″][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The first medieval stone C<\/span>astle<\/span><\/h3>\n

T<\/span>he first medieval fortification was erected on the <\/span>rocky outcrop overlooking<\/span> Vianden<\/span> in around 1000 AD<\/span>. The main part of this fortification co<\/span>nsisted of an oval ring wall. This<\/span>defensive wall, which was meticulously reinforced with small slate slabs, was exactly one metre wide<\/span>. As<\/span> with the ancient wall,<\/span> this <\/span>special building technique<\/span> enabled the archaeologists to retrace it virtually along its entire length<\/span>. The old<\/span>,<\/span> Late A<\/span>ntiquity <\/span>ditch also<\/span> remained in <\/span>use<\/span> in this period. The entire <\/span>internal<\/span> surface of the fortification was levelled or flattened by backfilling the lower defensive wall with stones and earth. This complex also included <\/span>a <\/span>Hall<\/span>, used for<\/span> administrative purposes and a C<\/span>hapel, which was <\/span>installed<\/span> in the<\/span> remains of th<\/span>e Late Antiquity<\/span> tower. <\/span>No t<\/span>races <\/span>were found <\/span>of <\/span>the domestic<\/span>infrastructure (well, kitchen, and living quarters) <\/span>that would have been required for the permanent residence of a noble family<\/span>. <\/span>The gate <\/span>to<\/span> this fortification is <\/span>well-<\/span>preserved. <\/span>The location of the gate<\/span> in the <\/span>n<\/span>orth-<\/span>e<\/span>astern defensive wall above the <\/span>sheer rock face<\/span>shows that the C<\/span>astle could be accessed <\/span>only via a <\/span>wooden <\/span>gangway built along <\/span>the rock wall.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the early 11<\/span>th<\/span> century, a<\/span> number of solid stone houses <\/span>were built in the <\/span>Bailey<\/span>. In the course of these <\/span>modifications<\/span>, the <\/span>entrance to the Ca<\/span>stle was <\/span>protected by<\/span> a <\/span>stone<\/span>G<\/span>atehouse. At the same time, a stone building was <\/span>added<\/span> in the southern corner. Unfortunately, the few remnants of <\/span>the <\/span>building that have survived in the present-day <\/span>Bailey<\/span> are insufficient for us to imagine how this corner fortification might have looked.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”57462″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”orange” onclick=”link_image” css_animation=”zoomIn”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_text_separator title=”” i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-landmark” color=”custom” add_icon=”true” accent_color=”#ff0000″][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The first <\/span>Residential C<\/span>astle around 1100<\/span><\/h3>\n

A<\/span> detailed anal<\/span>ysis of the construction joints led to the conclusion that<\/span> a square Residential Tower <\/span>was added to the north flank of<\/span> the fortification around 1100. The length of the old Hall was reduced to the north, and part of its south-western outer wall was demolished. A new outer wall with narrow window openings was built above a horizontal joint that is still clearly visible today. A well-preserved latrine was installed in the middle section of the new wall. In the same construction phase, the long fa\u00e7ade facing the interior of the Castle was pierced by a new door opening that slightly offset along the transverse axis. Evidence was found of a kitchen and of the living quarters (fireplace, latrine) of a noble family on the ground floor of the Hall during this period.<\/span><\/p>\n

The finds, which can be dated to the second extension period, prove that the <\/span>Vianden<\/span>Castle complex served as the permanent residence of the noble family from around 1100. Since that time, <\/span>Vianden<\/span> Castle has included the three most important structures of a noble castle from the High Middle Ages:<\/span><\/p>\n

H<\/span>all (<\/span>Aula<\/span> – symbol of government), C<\/span>hapel<\/span> (<\/span>Capella<\/span> – ecclesiastical authority) and Residential T<\/span>ower<\/span> (Camera – residence). New stone houses were built on the eastern rocky slope of the <\/span>Bailey<\/span> during this period. From this point in time at the latest, a narrow <\/span>path led<\/span> along the<\/span> eastern slope. This line of buildings led to the north-eastern<\/span> tower which protected a nearby gateway that has not survived. The Tower with the trapezoidal floor plan at the eastern end of the ditch may also be dated to the same construction phase.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”57461″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”orange” onclick=”link_image” css_animation=”zoomIn”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_text_separator title=”” i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-landmark” color=”custom” add_icon=”true” accent_color=”#ff0000″][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The C<\/span>astle in<\/span> 1170<\/span><\/h3>\n

Vianden<\/span> Castle was extensively rebuilt in around 1170. <\/span>T<\/span>he remains of <\/span>the <\/span>wooden scaffolding<\/span> found in the new Residential T<\/span>ower <\/span>enabled the construction date<\/span> to be determined using the technique<\/span> of three-ring dating (<\/span>dendrochronology<\/span>)<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

As part of this extensive construction work, the <\/span>impressive C<\/span>hapel was erected with a decagonal floor plan and a <\/span>broad C<\/span>hancel opening wide to the south<\/span>–<\/span>east.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time,<\/span> the <\/span>old Residential T<\/span>ower was replaced by a larger one. The extensions <\/span>to the medieval H<\/span>all (<\/span>A<\/span>ula<\/span>) consisted mainly of <\/span>typical architectural elements<\/span>which were intended to accentuate <\/span>its dominant c<\/span>haracte<\/span>r.<\/span><\/p>\n

A fortified walkway, which was supported by high arches and ran along the field side of the <\/span>medieval defensive wall, served as a link between thes<\/span>e buildings (Residential T<\/span>ower, <\/span>Hall, C<\/span>hapel). The Hall\u2019s architectural features exemplified the most up to date fashions. For example, the outer side, facing the Courtyard, was decorated with a sandstone blind arcade. <\/span>Three arches of this arcade have been preserved<\/span>,<\/span> despite numerous subsequent alter<\/span>ations. The upper floor of the H<\/span>all building was completely redesigned as part of this c<\/span>onstruction work. A large open H<\/span>all was built here, so that this prestigious building, which was <\/span>marvellous example<\/span> of the period, could now definitely be described as a<\/span> Great Hall (<\/span>Palas<\/span>)<\/span>.<\/span> The main fa\u00e7ade <\/span>facing the C<\/span>ourtyard side probably also had openings of this kind. <\/span>This provides<\/span> evidence <\/span>that a Great Hall (<\/span>Palas<\/span>) on the upper<\/span> floor <\/span>existed <\/span>in the 12<\/span>th<\/span> century. A second building <\/span>had been built by<\/span>the early 12<\/span>th<\/span> century: a large, <\/span>three-storey tower-like Residential B<\/span>uilding<\/span>. The walls of this Residential Building have survived up to the eaves, with some minor alterations. This Tower was connected to the Hall by a wall walk which did not require an arched construction to support it in this section of the wall.<\/span><\/p>\n

The structural analysis confirms<\/span> the presence of a shield wall, which <\/span>protected<\/span> the interior of the C<\/span>astle<\/span>, <\/span>at the corner of the new Residential B<\/span>uilding on the <\/span>north side. The third building constructed when the Castle was redesigned in the early years of the <\/span>12<\/span>th<\/span>century is the C<\/span>hapel<\/span>.<\/span> The location of this <\/span>religious<\/span> building on the top of the promontory and <\/span>its<\/span> decagonal interior floor plan with <\/span>an apse-like Chancel show that the person who commissioned the building was very keen on monumental architecture.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the lower sections, the outer walls <\/span>opposite the <\/span>rock <\/span>face<\/span> were <\/span>pierced at intervals by <\/span>several niches and chambers <\/span>corresponding to<\/span> the arcade<\/span>s<\/span> along the battlements. The vault was supported by <\/span>pillars<\/span> in the corners of the nave and by six heavy pillars along the central <\/span>aisle<\/span> which were <\/span>inter<\/span>connected by arches and demarcated a rather narrow central <\/span>area<\/span>. The height of the <\/span>wall walk<\/span> and a wide landing<\/span> above the rock prove that the C<\/span>hapel <\/span>originally<\/span> had two<\/span> storeys<\/span>. The upper floor should, however, pr<\/span>obably be interpreted not as a Chapel<\/span> but rather as <\/span>a <\/span>gallery-like walkway the height of the open <\/span>room of the <\/span>palas<\/span>-like H<\/span>all building. <\/span>No clear<\/span> evidence of a possible connection b<\/span>etween the upper floors of the Hall and the C<\/span>hapel could be <\/span>found<\/span> during the restoration work.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”57460″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”orange” onclick=”link_image” css_animation=”zoomIn”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_text_separator title=”” i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-landmark” color=”custom” add_icon=”true” accent_color=”#ff0000″][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The C<\/span>astle at the beginning of the 13<\/span>th<\/span> century<\/span><\/h3>\n

In the early 13<\/span>th<\/span> century, fundamental structural changes were made to the Count<\/span> of <\/span>Vianden’s<\/span> residence. In the first construction phase, a new <\/span>Great Hall (<\/span>Palas<\/span> 10<\/span> m<\/span> x 30<\/span>m) w<\/span>as built on the north-eastern side of the rocky <\/span>plateau<\/span>. Above the old <\/span>ditch<\/span> from the <\/span>l<\/span>ate Roman period, a spacious cellar was dug <\/span>out of<\/span> the rock. At the sam<\/span>e time, the upper floor of the C<\/span>hapel was adapted to<\/span> reflect<\/span> the Romanesque style of this period. The<\/span>se<\/span> tw<\/span>o large<\/span> buildings, one secular, one religious, were connected <\/span>by a monumental G<\/span>allery; several trefoil-shaped openings still survive. All these <\/span>central<\/span> buildings are arranged in a l<\/span>ine, with their main fa\u00e7ades facing<\/span> north<\/span>–<\/span>east. The residential buildings – which are only partly preserved – face south<\/span>–<\/span>west. Two important finds<\/span> made it possible to date the construction period of the three <\/span>main<\/span> buildings fairly pr<\/span>ecisely:<\/span> w<\/span>ooden scaffolding was <\/span>recovered in the U<\/span>pper <\/span>Chapel, together<\/span> with the remnants of a richly decorated cornice; the <\/span>tree<\/span> rings <\/span>in the timber used for this scaffolding dated <\/span>to 1196. A second <\/span>tree-<\/span>ring analysis of a massive chimney beam in the outer gable of the new<\/span>Great <\/span>Hall (<\/span>P<\/span>alas<\/span>)<\/span> indicated<\/span> that it dated back to 1203. On the basis of these two <\/span>dates<\/span>, <\/span>we may assume<\/span> that the major<\/span> extension work began with the C<\/span>hapel in the late 12<\/span>th<\/span>century and was completed shortly after 1200 <\/span>with the new <\/span>Great Hall<\/span>.<\/span>At the same time<\/span>,<\/span> or perhaps a few years later, a <\/span>T<\/span>ower with an octagonal floor plan was built in the <\/span>B<\/span>ailey at the southern end of the rock<\/span> spur. This T<\/span>ower continued the <\/span>architectural<\/span> line <\/span>of buildings (<\/span>the Great Hall<\/span>, <\/span>the Gallery and the C<\/span>hapel).<\/span><\/p>\n

The ring wall of the outer B<\/span>ailey is <\/span>pierced<\/span> by <\/span>a gateway<\/span> with rich ornamentation that reflects the importance of the complex<\/span>. A second pedestrian passage (P<\/span>ostern) with decorative elements led into the <\/span>B<\/span>aile<\/span>y and replaced the old entrance<\/span> which was <\/span>used solely by persons walking <\/span>from the village. This architectural concept is <\/span>testimony<\/span> to the distinct sense of monumental architecture of the person who commissione<\/span>d the building. It makes<\/span> Vianden<\/span> Castle <\/span>into<\/span> a “stately <\/span>home<\/span>” <\/span>rather <\/span>than a defensive structure. <\/span>This<\/span> last great Romanesque phase was <\/span>doubtless<\/span>ly commissioned by<\/span> Frederic<\/span>k<\/span> III, a faithful vassal of the <\/span>Hohenstaufen Emperors<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”57459″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”orange” onclick=”link_image” css_animation=”zoomIn”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_text_separator title=”” i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-landmark” color=”custom” add_icon=”true” accent_color=”#ff0000″][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The C<\/span>astle between the <\/span>late<\/span> 13<\/span>th<\/span> and the <\/span>early<\/span> 17<\/span>th<\/span> centuries<\/span>.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Vianden<\/span> Castle was rebuilt in Gothic style around the middle of the 13<\/span>th<\/span> century. <\/span>The <\/span>Great <\/span>Hall, the G<\/span>allery<\/span> and the Chapel<\/span> were <\/span>adorned<\/span> with <\/span>tall stepped gables. The Residential T<\/span>ower was extended<\/span>,<\/span> and <\/span>another Residential B<\/span>uilding, the “<\/span>J\u00fclich<\/span>Apartments<\/span>“, was added on t<\/span>he north-western corner of the <\/span>Great <\/span>Hall<\/span>. This group of buildings was also crowned <\/span>with<\/span> high Gothic roofs. At the same time, two more towers<\/span>were added to the north-west B<\/span>astion. It was at this point that <\/span>Vianden<\/span> Castle took on<\/span> its characteristic silhouette which dominates the skyline<\/span>. During this reconstruction work, all the ceilings of the <\/span>main<\/span> buildings were vaulted.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>ring<\/span> wall of the <\/span>B<\/span>ailey was extended to the south<\/span>–<\/span>west <\/span>so as to provide better protection<\/span> for the Castle Gateway<\/span>. This major conversion work was carried out under Henry I, Count of <\/span>Vianden<\/span> and Namur. An engraving by <\/span>Matth\u00e4us<\/span> Merian<\/span> shows <\/span>Vianden<\/span> Castle shortly before 1620. <\/span>By<\/span> this time, almost three centuries had passed since the last great construction period which marked the <\/span>zenith<\/span> of the political <\/span>power<\/span> of the Counts of <\/span>Vianden<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”57458″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”orange” onclick=”link_image” css_animation=”zoomIn”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_text_separator title=”” i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-landmark” color=”custom” add_icon=”true” accent_color=”#ff0000″][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The C<\/span>astle in the early modern period and demolition<\/span><\/h3>\n

Towards the end of the 13<\/span>th<\/span> century, <\/span>the <\/span>House <\/span>of <\/span>Vianden<\/span> became<\/span> a vassal <\/span>of the Counts of Luxembourg and <\/span>soon<\/span> lost its i<\/span>mportant role. After the death in 1417<\/span> of<\/span> the last descendant of the <\/span>Vianden<\/span> line,<\/span> Countess Marie of <\/span>Sponheim<\/span> and <\/span>Vianden<\/span>, <\/span>t<\/span>he <\/span>County (along with the Castle)<\/span> became the property of the <\/span>Ottonian<\/span> branch of the Orange-Nassau family. <\/span>When the <\/span>Vianden<\/span> dynasty<\/span> died out<\/span>, the buildings lost their <\/span>importance, and<\/span> most of the state<\/span> rooms were converted into large storage <\/span>facilites<\/span>(early 15<\/span>th<\/span> century). <\/span>By the<\/span> first half of the <\/span>17<\/span>th<\/span> century, when two new residential buildings, referred to in the source texts as the \u201cNassau Quarters\u201d, were built for the Stewards in the central part of the Castle, <\/span>Vianden<\/span> had long since lost its power and <\/span>political significance. During the gradual decline of this former <\/span>nobleman\u2019s<\/span> residence, all the medieval buildings of the <\/span>B<\/span>ailey were razed to the ground and replaced by new agr<\/span>icultural and craft buildings (Stables, Locksmiths’ Workshops, B<\/span>rewery, <\/span>Watchmen\u2019s Houses). The C<\/span>astle lost its last <\/span>vestige of <\/span>glory in August 1820<\/span> when it <\/span>was sold at public auction to Wenzel <\/span>Coster<\/span>, a citizen of <\/span>Vianden<\/span>. <\/span>After acquiring<\/span> the<\/span> C<\/span>astle, the new owner immediately began to demolish the buildings and sell <\/span>off <\/span>the materials (especially the <\/span>roof timbers and the lead an the copper used for the gutters).<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”57457″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”orange” onclick=”link_image” css_animation=”zoomIn”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_text_separator title=”” i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-landmark” color=”custom” add_icon=”true” accent_color=”#ff0000″][vc_empty_space][vc_text_separator title=”” i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-landmark” color=”custom” add_icon=”true” accent_color=”#ff0000″][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”57453″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”orange” css_animation=”zoomIn” title=”Merian 1643″][vc_empty_space][vc_text_separator title=”” i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-landmark” color=”custom” add_icon=”true” accent_color=”#ff0000″][vc_column_text]R\u00e9daction \/ Dessins: John Zimmer
\nMus\u00e9e National d\u2019Histoire et d\u2019Art, Luxembourg
\nService des Sites et Monuments nationaux, Luxembourg<\/b>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Fortress of Late Antiquity The rocky outcrop above the modern town of Vianden was first fortified in Late Antiquity. The excavations carried out at the foot of the Castle Chapel in 1994 led to the discovery that parts of the crumbling masonry of the Late Antiquity tower must have existed in Merovingian times…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-57448","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","description-off"],"translation":{"provider":"WPGlobus","version":"3.0.0","language":"gb","enabled_languages":["de","fr","gb","nl"],"languages":{"de":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"fr":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"gb":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"nl":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/castle-vianden.lu\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/57448","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/castle-vianden.lu\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/castle-vianden.lu\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/castle-vianden.lu\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/castle-vianden.lu\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57448"}],"version-history":[{"count":40,"href":"https:\/\/castle-vianden.lu\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/57448\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":59805,"href":"https:\/\/castle-vianden.lu\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/57448\/revisions\/59805"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/castle-vianden.lu\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57448"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}