of his father, Count Frederic II, who had been captured during a crusade. The Cross of Justice close to the Church of the Trinitarians recalling the chartering of Vianden by Philip II in 1308. The towered castle houses built for the nobility including the City Hall (1579) and the house where the pharmacy is now situated (1475). The Church of St Nicholas (13th century) partly destroyed by fire in 1723 and rebuilt the following year. Coat of arms The arms of Vianden (see top right-hand box) have not changed since 1288 when Godefroid I adopted the arms of Louvain-Perwez. The city was granted the right to use the same arms sometime during the 14th century. The arms were registered in the armorial général de France in 1696 by order of the King of France. Notable people Many royal families and heads of state have associations with Vianden or have at least visited it. However, several other figures are worthy of note: Yolande or Yolanda of Vianden, (1231–83), youngest daughter of Count Henry I, who joined the Convent of Marienthal against the wishes of her parents when she was very young and later became its devout prioress now a legend in Luxembourg's history. Victor Hugo (1802–85), the French author, who stayed in Vianden on several occasions between 1862 and 1871, recording its beauty and setting in prose, poetry and sketches, including the series of poems L'Année terrible. Hugo did much to promote the attractions of Vianden to the outside world. Edmond de la Fontaine (1823–91) otherwise known as Dicks, Luxembourg's national poet, who also wrote Vianden's first travel guide. René Engelmann (1880–1915), a linguist and novelist, who established the basic grammar of the Luxembourgish dialect, later to become a national language. One of the oldest families in the town founded the inn, which today is located in Algerbue de L'Our, next to the Our River, where delicacies from the area were offered to the pilgrims who visited the Castle of Vianden. Today this hostel has a restaurant and a hotel in its own building. Twin towns — sister cities Vianden is twinned with: Compiègne, France Huy, Belgium Gallery References External links Vianden tourist information Vianden Castle Vianden and surroundings from Google Maps Official Vianden Commune site 1414 disestablishments Cities in Luxembourg Communes in Vianden (canton) Towns in Luxembourg States and territories established in the 4th century Tourist attractions in Luxembourg