When we were first deciding if we should consider coming to Luxembourg we searched the web for articles and photos. Most of hte photos were of the big bridge that crosses the river gorge and park, or the quaint village at the bottom of that valley called the "grund", or photos of the Place d'Arms, a pretty but very touristy square in the middle of the old city center. It was hard to find any info or photos about the neighborhoods themselves, and what the housing was like and how people lived. We did read that Luxembourg is called "The Green Heart of Europe" and now that we live here and have explored a bit, we see why.
The climate is much like that of Portland, Oregon so there is tons of rain and an early spring. I have never seen so many gardens - both flower and vegetable in any city i've been too. Community gardens that span blocks, and have cute little garden shacks, sometimes equipped with lots of stuff to make it a nice place to spend the day, regardless if you were gardening. Sometimes the shacks had cute little front porches and extra rooms were attached. each one had such a unique personality. There were those that felt like "man rooms" with big grills, lots of tools, and they were kind of rough and messy. Others were very sweet, with lacy curtains and oil-cloth covered tables with sets of chairs. i think i'll do a photo series of them.
WHerever there is space there is a garden, even in the more fancy areas of town. OUr neighborhood was once famous for the rose growing. Limperstberg exported roses and rose plants all over the world, and to several European kings. Our apt looks at a park that has a tall stone tower that was once the water tower. i think it might have fed the gardens and fields here. the other day i was walking in my neighborhood, i took a turn down a little path and i ended up walking by this large agricultural field. it looked they were growing radishes. and just behind it were some large, swanky homes. it's such an interesting mix of very refined fancy, elegant homes and wild meadows and large cultivated fields.
The plants and trees themselves are really fun. lots of funky looking conifers and large flowering bushes. nothing tropical, but it's very different than what grows in Maine, and much of the North East.
Some friendly snails on our street:
The big community garden in our neighborhood and some of the garden sheds:
Some raspberries from one of the gardens:
More of the gardens ...
Some very fruit-heavy apple trees behind a beautiful but unoccupied home:
A park called Parc du Tony Nueman - he was the head of a big steel company here (luxembourg was big in steel back in the day) and after he died his estate and massive gardens became this park.
Some loveliness next to a big cemetery:
More of the community garden with some apt bldgs (apparently very, very pricey) behind:
A big field, in our 'hood, planted with radishes(?):
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