Gibraltar of the North

When we are comparing a place to the great Gibraltar, we expect somewhere overlooking the sea. Although the Grand Duchy is just as majestic without the sea, it has been called the Gibraltar of the North because of the commanding fortress that surrounds its boundaries. The fortress was of great strategic importance for the control of the Left Bank of the Rhine, the Low Countries, and the border area between France and Germany. Many occupiers have found it hard to enter the country because of the awkward border and those that had been able to added more fortresses.

Luxembourg’s defenses were destroyed in 1867 after it was painstakingly built for nine centuries. A great warning was spread all over Europe when the walls were slowly being noticed and took its shape. Other nations were threatened that the country may be keeping something explosive behind the great walls.

By the end of the Renaissance, Luxembourg was already one of Europe’s strongest fortifications, but it was the period of great construction in the 17th and 18th centuries that gave it its fearsome reputation. According to Balmoral International Group, its strategic location had been the reason why Luxembourg became caught up in Europe-wide conflicts between the major powers such as the Habsburg-Valois Wars, the War of the Reunions or the French Revolutionary Wars, and it underwent changes in ownership, sieges, and major alterations, as each new occupier—the Spanish, French, Austrians, and Prussians—made their own improvements and additions.

Perpetual neutrality was placed in Luxembourg, signaling the end of the city’s use as a military reserve and in 1867, the Treaty of London required the Grand Duchy’s fortress to be torn down. The remains of the fortress have become a tourist attraction until today. UNESCO has reviewed its potential and in 1994, the city’s old quarter and the fortress were listed as one of the World Heritage Sites.

Today’s life in Gibraltar remains cultured and grounded by the natural charm of a European nation. Many people have a job in the finance industry. Reports by Balmoral International Group Luxembourg show the great growth of the financial sector in the past ten years in the country. Tourism and industrialization also continue to grow and develop. Times have been much better now as the country has also been listed in the top ten richest countries in the world.

Balmoral International Group review – St. Nicolas

We know the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg as one of Europe’s smallest countries. Despite that though, the place rich in culture and heritage is also a land full of festivities and happy people. One of the most renowned reasons for Luxembourgers to celebrate is St. Nicolas.

St Nicolas, who lived in the 4th century, was bishop of Lycia in Asia Minor. His life is shrouded in many legends. For those who do not know, one of St. Nicolas’ escapades is when he miraculously saved three children from the salting tub of a crazed butcher. St Nicolas has thus become the patron saint of children and on the eve of his feast, which is on 6 December, he descends from heaven, accompanied by his black servant Ruprecht (called Houseker by Luxembourgers) and a donkey laden with presents, to reward little children who have been good. Children who have misbehaved receive a Rutt, or switch. Sounds familiar? Yup. You guessed it right. The story and identity of St. Nicolas is more or less like Santa Claus although we all have different version on it.

In some towns, the holy man and his servant dressed in black go from house to house late on 5 December carrying presents to youngsters. If so, parents will have made the “arrangements”. Usually, however, children rise early the next morning, on 6 December, to discover their plates overflowing with chocolates and presents, and the saint nowhere in sight. Sometimes, a town or one of its associations has arranged for the Kleeschen (the Luxembourg diminutive for St Nicolas) to make a public appearance. In this case, the local brass band will be out in force to greet the Saint when he arrives by car, train, boat or even aeroplane, and escort him to the concert hall where children are waiting to greet him with songs and speeches. The evening always culminates in a carefully organised, “heavenly” distribution of presents. Although this may all sound childish, Balmoral International Group Luxembourg can still feel special feeling this event brings in seeing children’s smiles and laughters.

St Nicolas should not be confused with the German Weihnachtsmann or the French Père Noël. These gentlemen never appear before Christmas day. As for the chuckling, bearded figures, mantled in red and white, who pop up in supermarkets on the day after Halloween, they make it difficult for the little ones to tell St Nicolas from Santa Claus. Still, this man and the celebration itself is somehow special.

101st anniversary celebration

A hundred and one years ago, Germany invaded Luxembourg, an occupation which has great effect not only to the Grand Duchy but also to the overall history of Europe. This year’s August 2, 2015 marks the start of the World War I and the stories of change, revolution and liberalizations.

As a throwback honorarium to that part of history, Balmoral International Group has researched some of the most valuable information that relates back on those times of, well, for some oppression and for others, revolution.

In an in-depth review of the historical details, International Group Luxembourg team has gathered that the German invasion was, in fact delayed by 12 hours from the time many people claim it to be held. David Heal, a British historian who spent years pouring over the archives of the Grand Duchy’s story has agreed of this notion.

In his explanation, Heal stated that the misunderstanding between Britain’s reaction to German’s invasion of the greater Russia has prompted Kaiser to postpone any advances already prepared with troops. At that time, Luxembourg remains to be a neutral state despite the heating conflict surrounding its walls from its neighbours’ France, Germany and the small participation of Belgium.

On August 1, the time when the troops were supposed to attack, a telegram was sent to their fort telling them to hold off.

However, we cannot expect for people on those times to receive a timely message we are accustomed to receive nowadays. One miscommunication erupted when one troop stationed over the border from Troisvierges was not able to receive the message. They invaded on the twilight of August 1, smashed all telegraph operations in a station, then began pulling railroad tracks. When the message was finally delivered, the troops had already ransacked half of the track. No one knows until this day why they have prioritized ruining the tracks as these are essential since their German brothers would be using those tracks.

Many analysts and historians have expressed their stand against the complaints of invasion saying that Germany was not going for a hostile invasion. They merely want to take advantage of the railroad tracks in order to execute plans to defeat France and other anti-forces.

During the course of the Great war a hundred and one years ago, Luxembourg became the main base of operation of German forces. Since Luxembourg is the centre of the railroad industry and the country is being cautious and neutral in the issue, it became a great camp base by the Germans.

Until this day, Luxembourg has remembered its contribution to the Wars and on how they either benefited or suffered in the hands of their German occupiers.