Description
Since the 12th century, the former Saint-Nicolas church has played an important role in the city of Luxembourg.
In 1778, the then dilapidated parish church was rebuilt by the Jesuits and dedicated to Saint Nicolas. This is why his statue still stands today above the main gate. It was not until the 19th century that the church was elevated to the rank of cathedral dedicated to Notre-Dame.
One of the most popular legends about Saint Nicolas says that 3 little boys, lost in the night, asked a butcher to house them. As soon as they entered, the butcher rushed towards them to cut them up and put them in the salting tub. One day, the good Saint Nicolas came to the butcher and insisted on eating the little salty meat that was in his salting-tub. Taken by fear, the butcher fled and Saint-Nicolas resuscitated the three children. This is how the Saint is venerated as the patron saint of children, but also of pupils, students, pilgrims and travellers.
