Luzern
Luzern is known for its covered Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument...
Luzern
Luzern is known for its covered Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, preserved medieval architecture and colorful old town. Luzern sits on Lake Luzern in sight of the mount Pilatus and mount Rigi in the Swiss Alps.
KAPELLBRUCKE
The 14th century Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe and is named after the nearby St. Peter's Chapel. The bridge runs across the river Reuss linking the old town to the new town. It was originally built to help secure the town from attacks coming from Lake Luzern.
The bridge features interior triangular frames with paintings by local painter Hans Heinrich Wägmann depicting a few of Luzerns' historical events. Unfortunately the bridge almost burned down in 1993 and destroyed two thirds of the paintings. There were originally 158 paintings, however only 147 existed before the fire. The remains of 47 paintings were found but only 30 were restored.
Jesuit Church
The Jesuit Church is a Catholic church located in the old town part of Luzern along the river Reuss and is the first large baroque church built in Switzerland north of the Alps.
LOWENDENKMAL
The Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument) was designed by sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen and carved in by Lukas Ahorn from 1820 - 1821. It honors the Swiss Guards who were massacred when revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris in 1792 during the French Revolution.
Interesting Fact: Legend has it that an angry Thorvaldsen carved the shape of the alcove where the lion lay to resemble an outline of a pig for payback over lack of funds he was supposed to receive. Can you see the pig?
LAKE LUZERN
Enjoy a nice day out on Lake Luzern with the mountains in the background coupled with several fun options consisting of boat excursions, sight seeing tours, culinary cruises, amusement rides or just relax shore side at a café.
