Vianden is a small city in north-eastern Luxembourg with approximately 1.500 inhabitants. It is the capital of the canton Vianden, which is part of the district of Diekirch. Vianden lies on both sides of the Our river, near the border between Luxembourg and Germany. It is known for its impressive castle and beautiful location in the Our valley.Vianden was during the middle Ages the capital of the powerful county of Vianden, an area as large as the present Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It included 136 villages and stretched as far as Prum and Bitbourg. It was a fortified city, tucked at the foot of the castle, which dominated and protected it. The present bell-tower, the ‘ Hockelstour’, standing on a rock between the castle and the town, originally served as a watchtower, allowing an effective vigilance to be maintained.