Chilly's Journal
Volume4
Author:ChillytheBunitt
Hi
MINETT TRAIL MINETT TRAIL
Year:2023
Origin: Minett Trail
The Minett Trail was at first just an idea. The "Minett UNESCO Biosphere" wanted a regional trail connecting it's cities, hubs, historical and natural sites.
Work for this trail started in 2017
Walk through former opencast mines and discover the industrial past! Witness how nature has reclaimed its former territory!
The Minett Trail is a 90km long trail that expands its wings all across the south of Luxembourg. Due to its enormous length the trail is split into 10 stages which can be explored individually.
More info: https://www.minetttrail.lu/
The stages are rated with a difficulty. Are we in a video game now? If so GAME ON
Easy = great for beginners and families.
Medium = great for occasional hikers and it includes narrow pathways and stairs.
Hard = only sporty hikers or people with good physical fitness should tackle these routes.
Sidenote: Unfortunately, not all the stages are barrier-free.
POW Promotion and education of the southern region in Luxembourg.Minett Trail: Belval-Rédange - Esch-sûrAlzette
Distance: 6,04 km
Duration: 1:30 h
Difficulty: easy
Highlights:
Blast-furnace + Park, Theater, Street art, University
Explanation + Updated version to be found at page 9
We start the hike at the Belval-Rédange train station.
Belval-Rédange belongs to the commune of Sanem.
I can't wait to see what I will discover!
Every time I stand next to a train I feel so small.
Tunnels ae great. It creates these cool echoes!
Fun fact:
Did you know that the sound of your voice that hits the walls and bounces back to you are called reverberations?
Wow this is nice.
My favorite picture of the album. I need to draw this!!
What an entrance to start the trail with.
Looking at Belval-University
I follow the path with great delight.
I need to cross over a street, but luckily there is a pedestrian crossing. Let's see what we have here.
Fun fact:
LOOK AT ME!!
Not all cherry blossom trees produce cherries. There are some almond trees that also have pink double blossoms. Most commonly found in Japan.
The bridge is a great change for once.
Wow! Would you look at that.
I should become a professional photographer.
Be warned Belval itself is a huge construction site.
What's that in the distance? ?!
Behind this bridge lies the Belval-Park.
I think someone in Belval really likes "The Simpsons"
Fun fact:
The show "The Simpsons" debuted on December 17, 1989. However, early sketches with the yellow family were shown on The Tracey Ullman Show from 1987 to 1989.
It has gotten a bit cooler since the sun is being obscured by clouds, and a fierce wind is striking at me.
The construction cranes of Belval
This is Belval's greatest struggle at the moment there are way too
It seems like people in Belval have a soft spot for art and statues. A cultural plus, if I say so myself.
Hii Hii
Belval really has a lot to offer and I am not even in the city itself.
Upon entering the city something strikes at me.
Hm...
I think all these buildings are created by the same architect. They all look like big squares to me.
Those squares remind me of Minecraft.
Path:
The map at page 4 isn't updated yet , but don't worry. I will guide you through it paw by paw. I was even so kind to draw the path on google maps. You're welcome.
We are here
* This symbol means that there are additional things to discover
POW 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 6 4
7
* * * *
Chilly's note: The library is the most beautiful place in Belval, making it a highly recommended point of interest.
More info about the library also known as the LLC (Luxembourg Learning Centre)
Info: https://www.uni.lu/llc-en/
MaisondesSciencesHumaines Maisondunombre
Belval University
* * * *
Maison des Arts et des Etudes
A university! Oh imagine me as a professor.
5
Library
Professor Chilly Master in "Carrotologie"
Library entrance
Impressive what humans can build. Look at the size of that thing. How is it even standing? Did someone put indestructible glue on this structure or what?
Chilly's note: Turns out this is called the blast furnace and it has a museum which allows you to climb to the top of the blast furnace itself.
More info: https://www.visitluxembourg.com/place/blast-furnace-belval
The blast furnace is one of the most famous structures in the Minett region. These towers symbolize the cultural richness of the "Terres Rouges," not to mention the significant impact they had on an entire era with their power. They played a major role in the economic prosperity of the region. However, in 1997 the last remaining blast furnace closed, marking the end of an era.
Belval Plaza: Apparently, it is a great shopping center and people can buy all kinds of curious things there. From candles to video games.
Rockhal:
This place is the soul and heart of every music artist, be it a singer, DJ, or dancer. Creativity in any form is warmly welcomed here, and numerous concerts have already been performed at this venue.
Rockhal
Chilly's note: The rockhal can be used by any band.
Rockhal internet site: https://rockhal.lu/
6
Belval Plaza
7
6
Ah...good old train station I would gladly take a ride and relax a bit, but the trail is calling me.
Chilly's note: This is one of the most beautiful train station I've been in, but it is also one of the youngest as well.
Outside the train station there is a large street that guides me towards Esch. Let's speed over to the other side. I don't trust those cars!
The path leads me to another little secret passage, I kind of feel dumb that I have never noticed that path before.
I encounter some signs that have some French wording on them. Treasure map?
This grandma is a real sweetheart. She gave me a snack and told me a story.
Apart from the story Grandma told me about artists creating paintings on pathways, she holds them in high regard. I find it hard to imagine any art around here, given that there are no walls. However, she insists and claims that Esch and Belval are excellent places for creative individuals.
Chilly's note: The way she keeps bringing up the topic makes me believe that she is one of those artists. Perhaps she belongs to an artist group or something.
Oh look at this! There are animals drawn on the pathway. This is kind of adorable. Not to mention it is well done. These may be just mere silhouettes but they melt my heart in a way.
Chilly's note: When I see drawings like this I get the motivation to draw myself.
The cherry blossoms are as beautiful as I remember. The thing I wonder though is why their flowers bloom only a short period of time. I don't get the point of that, but it makes them more precious in a way.
Esch-sur-Alzette sure has a way to welcome people to its city. Arts are rather prominent in here and it is difficult to find a favourite.
Looking at the paintings on the wall it reminds me of France.
Chilly's note: France, for me, is the country of artists. It may have something to do with the fact that famous paintings like the Mona Lisa often find their home in the Louvre.
Chilly's note: I don't know the artist of this painting, but I think it has an important message. At least this is my interpretation of it. The cat and the different people as well as the many colors look to me as it wants to say:
"We all come in different shapes and forms and this is what makes the world such a beautiful place"
I wish I could sometimes understand what the exhibitions are about without someone telling me
The Musée National de la Résistance et des Droits Humains, a museum dedicated to honoring the victims of Nazism and the workers who died in the mines and factories, has been around since 1956. Over the years, it has undergone several changes due to failed renovations and temporary exhibitions. In 2022, it reopened with two major exhibitions centered around the theme: "Idea of Peace." In 2023, the museum plans to open its permanent exhibition.
A museum!
This building packs a punch for history lessons.
Direction towards the museum.
A theater in the middle of the city. Now, I have seen it all!
Culture must be really important here?
Overall, I can say for certainty that this city has an own charm to it and it stands out way more than the other towns I have visited.
So many different shops I don't even know where to look at first.
Let me see...
I see restaurants ranging from asian food to european food, jewellery, coffe shops, bakery store and boutiques.
Chilly's note: Getting this photo was a real pain I'll tell you that. I wish I could have thrown some chillies at some people.
A monster! And look at that scary shadow coming out of it. It wants to grab me! Go, go, go!
Thank the carrots! I manage to get away from it...
What is this?!
Oh no! There are his friends. Please don't hurt me!
Chilly's note: I feel silly! These are just trashcans drawn as monsters. But I must say these are well done and even though I know what they are now they still do look a bit scary.
Next up, we have a big...I am not so certain what it wants to represent but it looks like a giant L stretched towards the horizon.
A bridge! This L is a bridge. Who comes up with these ideas? This is funny, don't you agree?
Hii Hii
The youth hostel is a fantastic option for spending the night. It offers affordable rates and provides additional services, such as booking a meeting room or enjoying the terrace. Furthermore, the youth hostel has an in-house restaurant 'Melting Pot', which has an industrial-style decor, and a bistro with a small stage.
Chilly's note: Karaoke night is every Friday night (Start at 10PM)
The train station, in all honesty, is the weirdest one I've seen among all the train stations. The building itself looks more like it belongs to a wealthy bank.
Oh! I like this drawing a lot. I am not certain why they would draw some fish in a train station building, but they look deliciously good.
Conclusion: Minett Trail: Belval-Rédange - Esch-sur-Alzette
This section is an amazing tourist trip and a great weekend activity for families. It covers so much history that a second visit is necessary. Additionally, it is completely barrier-free.
Additional Info:
Time: It took me around 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete. My time deviates from the average 1 hour and 30 minutes, due to my photos and multiple breaks. (I always exclude my arrival and departure on public transport)
Travel with Public Transport: Train (Belval-Rédange Gare & Esch-sur-Alzette Gare)
Important app: https://www.mobiliteit.lu/en/ (Public transport)
Cultural: Grand, it may not offer a nature reserve, but it packs a heavy punch in culture and history. If someone wants to get a better grasp of Luxembourg and its history, this is certainly the trail for it.
Path: An easy walk in the park, as everyone with working legs can enjoy this trail. There are also plenty of benches to sit on.
Accessibility:
Last note: My recommendation would be to visit the blast furnace, library, Belval plaza (which includes a cinema), and the youth hostel (the youth hostel has a restaurant that is accessible to everyone).
!!