Vianden Castle in the Luxembourg town of Vianden by Edwin Kooren

Vianden Castle in the Luxembourg town of Vianden was built between the 11th and 14th centuries on the foundations of a Carolingian and Roman fortress (castellum). It is one of the largest and most beautiful noble residences of the Romanesque and Gothic periods in Europe.

From the early 15th century, it was the seat of the influential counts of Vianden who maintained good relations with the kings of France and the imperial court of Germany. Henry I of Vianden (1220 - 1250) is also called the Sun Count because during his reign the property, lifestyle and influence of the house of counts of Vianden reached a peak. His successors had considerable influence in the Ardennes, Eifel and Luxembourg regions's for hundreds of years.

In 1417, rule over the domains passed to the House of Nassau, which also acquired the principality of Orange in 1530. Since then, the castle has not been the official residence of the Counts of Vianden.

The main building, which has been preserved to this day, in particular the chapel and the large and small hall, date from the late 12th and first half of the 13th century.

The no longer existing "Quartier de Juliers" on the west side of the palace dates from the early 14th century. The House of Nassau only built on the castle at the beginning of the 17th century but its major influence can still be seen.

Under King William I in 1820, the castle was sold off piece by piece, with the result that it fell into complete disrepair. In 1890, the castle became the property of Adolf of Luxembourg, the grand duke of Luxembourg. It then remained in the hands of this family until 1977. In 1977, the grand ducal family made it state property. Since then, the castle has been restored to its former glory and is a major tourist attraction.