The Grund is one of Luxembourg City's oldest districts, situated in the capital's heart, so that subsequent quarters would expand around the Grund and other original districts as populations rose. Located along the banks of the Alzette River, the Grund was built in the shallow valley below the heart of Luxembourg's capital after Siegfried, count of the Ardennes, founded his castle, which became the fortress known as the "Gibraltar of the North."
Though a modern elevator provides one entrance to the Grund by lifting visitors through the old stone wall Plateau du St. Esprit, many of the district's original structures are still standing to this day. Stone bridges, fortress walls and cobblestone streets of the district's original construction survive, and many of the homes built along the Alzette River have remained unchanged since their first inhabitants.
Particularly during the last few decades, the Grund district has risen in popularity for its nightlife, including dance clubs, bars and cafes, cultural events and historical sites, such as Neumünster Abbey, which has been a fixture of the Grund district since the 17th century. It has become such a desired destination for those visiting Luxembourg City that the Grund was recently added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's World Heritage list, as well as the Wenzel walking tour.
