Castles can be places of power, or simply offer a place to daydream. Actress Hana Sofia Lopes and hotel manager Mayke Van Straalen explore the magic of Luxembourg’s castles.

Sometimes dreams and visions can move entire buildings. This was the case with a small castle in the village of Clemency, near the Belgian border in Luxem­bourg. Built by the lords of Clemency in the 14th century, in the 17th century its owner had a vision that the former ruins would shine again in new splendour.

And so the stones were removed and rebuilt just 30 metres away from the original site. Clemency’s little castle has stood in its “new location” since 1651. Since then it has been rebuilt again and again. In 2009, it was renovated and turned into a hotel by the archi­tect, businessman and visionary Pascal Zimmer, who is known in Luxembourg for his many lifestyle projects. Not long ago, this attrac­tive, dark grey and white building had a life-changing impact on a traveller.

Her visitor nods thoughtfully. The young woman with the long, dark hair is Hana Sofia Lopes, an actress from Luxembourg with Portuguese roots.

“Sometimes the universe has something special in store!” She says as she has coffee with Mayke at the bar, which is also the reception desk. The two women hit it off straight away, discussing life choices and encounters. They both agree that you have to push yourself, and every day brings new possibilities that can lead to something really big.

Starting from scratch can be an enriching experience. For example, when you leave your job and start something completely different like Mayke has done. Or, like Hana Sofia, when she has to familiarise herself with a completely new role that also changes you as a person and helps you grow.

Hana Sofia is known in the film scene for, among many other things, the film “Kanaval” and a role in the TV series “Capi­tani”. She has also performed in theatres across Luxembourg in a variety of productions, such as “Hedda Gabler” and “Medea”. Hana Sofia travels a lot in her profession. She has been to the Lis­bon and Toronto film festivals and award ceremonies, but she always comes back to Luxembourg. This is where she grew up and where she lives in her parents’ house in the centre of the country.

Ansembourg Castle is currently in a kind of slumber. It is not yet clear what will happen within its walls in the future. At the moment, only the romantically designed garden with its baroque features is open to visitors.

“I love the nature in Luxembourg,” the young actress stresses. Taking long walks in places she has loved since childhood are just as impor­tant as recharging her batteries in spots she has only recently gotten to know. One such place is the garden of the “new” Ansembourg Castle in the Guttland region, an ideal place to let your imagination go wild.

Two cats greet Hana Sofia behind the wrought-iron gate. Large goldfish frolic in the water basin, which is flanked by topiary trees. Further down, a fountain flows. It is as if this garden is waiting for the new lady of the castle, who wanders between the columns, hedges and flowers. Statues look up at the sky, down at the ground or directly at the visitors.

The actress likes to walk between the trees or through the labyrinth of hedges, slowly climb the stairs and look at the castle from the outside. When will life return to this place? What would it be like to shoot a film here? What would it be like to have a hotel or a café here? Perhaps, time will tell.

Hana Sofia Lopes has grown fond of yet another castle: the magnificent Vianden Castle, a crowd-pleaser and at the same time a place where quiet corners can also be found in the castle chapel, in the long corridors, at the characteristic windows with their breathtaking views, between the walls and under the archway.

Vianden Castle is considered among the most beautiful castles in the world. Visitors can also approach the formidable walls via hiking trails and the chairlift.