Lucerne (German: Luzern, French: Lucerne) is a city in Switzerland and the capital of the German-speaking canton of the same name. It is located in the heart of the country in the central part of the Swiss plateau on the shores of Lake Lucerne.
The city of Lucerne (Switzerland)
Lucerne is a picturesque city with a beautiful medieval core, elegant historic buildings, and a charming atmosphere. It is an excellent starting point for exploring the natural sights of Switzerland.
Geography and climate
Lucerne is located in the center of the Swiss Plateau in the northern part of Lake Lucerne, near the source of the Reuss River. The climate is temperate maritime. Summers are warm with an average temperature of 17-20 °C, winters are cool and rainy with temperatures ranging from -2 to +3 °C.
Practical information
- Population – over 80 thousand people.
- Area – 29.11 km².
- Language – German.
- Currency – Swiss franc.
- Time – UTC +1, in summer +2.
- Visa – Schengen.
- Highest point – Mount Sonnenberg (800 m).
- Several markets operate in the old town of Lucerne: Wochenmarkt (farmers’ market on Tuesdays and Saturdays on Bahnhofstrasse, Jesuitenplatz and on the Reuss river embankment in the Town Hall area), Fish Market (held on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays), Flea Market (every Saturday from May to October on Reusssteg).
- The Christmas market in Lucerne is one of the most beautiful and largest in Switzerland. It starts in the second half of December and ends on December 23-24.
History
There is an assumption that Lucerne was founded during the Roman Empire. It is known for sure that at the beginning of the 8th century there was a monastery of St. Leodegar im Hof, around which a trading settlement later arose. In 1178, the city of Lucerne was formed.
In 1220, a trade route was opened through the St. Gotthard Pass. This event served as an impetus for the further development of Lucerne. In 1291, a military alliance was formed between Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden. Soon Lucerne joined this alliance, which allowed
it to free itself from the rule of the Habsburgs and ensure the existence of the future Switzerland.
In the 14-18th centuries, Lucerne was actually a separate state. The city was ruled by a patriciate, consisting of representatives of 29 families. During this period, Lucerne occupied a central position in the Swiss Confederation and seriously claimed the status of the capital. But in 1847 he led the Sonderbund (an association of 7 Catholic cantons), which ended in defeat. Eventually, Bern became the capital of Switzerland.
How to get there
Due to its central location, Lucerne can be easily reached by train from almost any other city in Switzerland. Trains from Zurich depart for Lucerne every 30 minutes.
Attractions and places of interest
The old town of Lucerne is located on the right bank of the Reuss River. It is a wonderful place for walking, where many charming old houses are located on narrow streets and small squares. Many of them are painted in bright colors, which gives the Altstadt of Lucerne a fabulous atmosphere.
Old Town
The historic center of Lucerne is known for its picturesque squares. Weinmarkt is one of the most beautiful squares in the old town. Here in 1332 Lucerne joined the Swiss Union. Until the 16th century, there was a fish market here. Weinmarkt acquired its modern look in 1841. The fountain in the square is considered the most beautiful in Lucerne and dates back to the 15th-16th centuries. Another important area is Mühlenplatz. This is the largest historical square in Lucerne, founded at the beginning of the 16th century. Be sure to check out Hirschenplatz – a charming square with bright houses. Another important historical square is Kapellplatz.
Chapel Bridge is the most famous symbol of Lucerne and one of the most photographed sights in Switzerland. It is a medieval covered wooden bridge built in 1333 across the Reuss River. Its most characteristic feature is 111 paintings from the 17th century, painted on the rafters and depicting saints and scenes from the history of the city.
Terribly, but in 1993 the wooden bridge was damaged by a strong fire. Restored to its former state in just 8 months. It is a pity that this monument stood intact for over 650 years and was damaged in modern times.
Next to the bridge is an octagonal 13th-century water tower over 34 meters high. It was once part of the city’s fortifications.
Surprisingly, Lucerne has another medieval covered wooden bridge, Spreuerbrücke. It was built in 1406, and inside, on triangular panels under the rafters, 45 paintings entitled “Dance of Death” are painted. The paintings were created by Kaspar Meglinger and his students between 1616 and 1637.
Church of St. Leodegar (Hofkirche) is considered the most important example of Renaissance architecture in Switzerland. The religious building was built on the site of an ancient Benedictine monastery of the 8th century. The modern building dates back to the 17th century. The Gothic towers remained from the church of the beginning of the 16th century, destroyed by fire. Representatives of old families rest in the arcades surrounding the church.
Jesuit Church is the first large Baroque church in Switzerland, built on the left bank of the Reuss River in the 17th century. The interior was restored in the Rococo style in 1750.
The Franciscan Church of St. Mary was built between 1270 and 1280 and was part of a monastery until 1838. The church has a Gothic interior and a Baroque and Renaissance pulpit.
Along the northern part of the old town of Lucerne is the old city wall, built between 1350 and 1408, with nine towers. Most of the fortifications have been preserved in their original state. Four towers can be climbed. The old fortifications of Lucerne are considered one of the longest and best preserved defensive walls in Switzerland.
Towers:
- Schirmer – 27-meter tower with a gate.
- Nölli (1513) – the only round tower. Height 28 meters.
- Männli – a high 33-meter tower, open to the public.
- Luegisland (1370) – Watchtower with a weather vane.
- Zyt (1442) – 31-meter tower with a clock and a bell. The clock was visible to fishermen from the lake.
- Dächli – the smallest of the towers with an old round roof.
- Allenwinden – a medieval tower with a height of 27 meters.
- Pulver – the second powder tower, 27.5 m high.
- Heu – a high 44-meter tower. It was restored in 1701 after a gunpowder explosion caused by a lightning strike.
The Lucerne Town Hall is considered one of the most beautiful public buildings in Switzerland. It was built between 1602 and 1606 in the Italian Renaissance style.
Lion Monument is a huge figure of a dying lion carved into the rock. Built in honor of the death of soldiers and officers of the Swiss Guard during the French Revolution during the attack on
the Tuileries in Paris.
Popular destinations from Lucerne:
- Mount Pilatus is one of the most beautiful natural sights in Switzerland. It has a height of 2070 meters and offers breathtaking views of the surroundings. We recommend taking a trip on the Alpnachstad mountain railway through alpine meadows, picturesque forests and rocks on the top.
- Boat trip on Lake Lucerne.
- Mount Rigi, which can be reached by cogwheel railway. From the top of 1798 meters, an excellent view opens up, and you can even see the Black Forest.
- Jungfraujoch, where at an altitude of 3445 meters there is an observatory and an observation deck, as well as the largest glacier in Europe.
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