Eric Thill, Luxembourg’s Minister for Culture; Credit: MCULT

On Monday 16 June 2025, Luxembourg’s Minister for Culture, Eric Thill, officially presented the latest book from the National Institute for Architectural Heritage (INPA) on the restoration and redevelopment of buildings and infrastructure belonging to Luxembourg's industrial heritage.

As reported by Luxembourg’s Ministry for Culture, at a press conference which took place at the new annex of the INPA (7 Rue du Plébiscite, Luxembourg-Gare), Minister Thill presented the new publication designed, produced and published by the INPA, named Book XV: Industrial Heritage.

This new volume highlights fifteen emblematic projects for the restoration, redevelopment or reuse of buildings, sites and objects belonging to Luxembourg's industrial heritage, which “illustrate the richness and diversity of this aspect of national history, closely linked to the country's economic and social development”.

The ministry remarked: “Book XV is intended to bear witness to the ingenuity and audacity that drove the planning and implementation of these few projects.”

At the press conference, Minister Thill reiterated his priorities for the development of the INPA in advancing the scientific inventory of architectural heritage and the creation of a cultural communication and mediation service. He said: “The establishment of this new service is an essential lever for strengthening access to culture. It will allow us to further raise public awareness of the richness of our architectural heritage."

According to the ministry, the INPA is involved in these projects either as a project manager or as a partner for private, non-profit, public and parastatal owners. The ministry noted that “this cooperation has enabled the emergence of a lasting dynamic for the preservation of industrial heritage” and “with their classification as national cultural heritage, these buildings and objects, important to preserving memories of the recent past, benefit from being assigned an appropriate status. This status allows for the reconciliation of preservation and reuse, in consultation with all stakeholders”.

Moreover, the ministry remarked: “Whether they are covered markets, various buildings, entire sites, or individual machines, in particular those belonging to the railway heritage, all these objects bear witness to important chapters in the history of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Furthermore, the industrialisation that began in the late 19th century significantly shaped our country, bringing it prosperity and a significant degree of independence.”

The subjects of Book XV are as follows:

⁃             I Rotondes I in Luxembourg-Bonnevoie;

⁃             II Esch-Belval Factory;

⁃             III Diddelenger Schmelz;

⁃             IV Power plant and gas machine in Differdange;

⁃             V Fond-de-Gras;

⁃             VI Former mining galleries;

⁃             VII Brewery Schmelz in Esch Terres-Rouges;

⁃             VIII Metzeschmelz in Esch-Schifflange;

⁃             IX Dummeldenger Schmelz;

⁃             X Old mills, dams and water canals;

⁃             XI Leekollen in Haut-Martelange;

⁃             XII Railway stations;

⁃             XIII Locomotives;

⁃             XIV Railway wagons;

⁃             XV National Railway Heritage Centre (Zuchmusée).

Book XV costs €30.00, excluding delivery and can be purchased in Ernster bookstores.