Centre Culturel de Rencontre Abbaye de Neumünster (Neumünster Abbey Cultural Center)

Centre Culturel de Rencontre Abbaye de Neumünster (Neumünster Abbey Cultural Center) Review

Once the place of worship of the Benedictines of Neumünster Abbey, who were expelled when the French Revolution hit Luxembourg, this complex has since undergone several changes in use. For much of the twentieth century it served as the men's prison, but now it has been transformed into a major cultural center hosting a variety of temporary exhibitions (see web site for details), and is the hub of the reborn Grund district. The abbey's Baroque Neumünster church (also known as Eglise St-Jean Baptiste Church of St. John the Baptist) contains many treasures. One of its most important is a Black Madonna, whose protection against pestilence was prayed for over many centuries. The church passage along the river provides splendid views of the side of the cliff and the towering fortifications across the Alzette. It leads to a former abbey courtyard, the Tutesall, where convicts once worked sewing bags. The center's café hosts jazz brunches on Sundays starting at 11.30. The music itself is free if you don't want to eat there.