Lucerne

Photo © olafp

Introduction

Luzern 2

Lucerne (German: Luzern, Italian: Lucerna) is one of Switzerland's most popular tourist destinations. Located where the Reuss River meets Lake Lucerne, the town is picturesque and boasts a rich history.

Lucerne is in the centre of Switzerland, providing an ideal launching place from which to explore nearby attractions such as Mount Rigi and the Rütli Meadow. The lake, Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus provide a stunning backdrop for the town.

Lucerne itself is split in two by the River Reuss. The city is old, dating back to the 8th century, and the Old Town reflects this long history. The most famous landmark is the Chapel Bridge, a wooden bridge built in the 14th century.

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History

Due to its geographical situation Lucerne was a very important trafic crossroad to the south. Up to the beginning of the 19th century there were no land connections around the lake 'Vierwaldstaetter See' to the Gotthard Pass. So every merchandise and traveller had to transfer to the boats. Which is of course a nice thing for those who have the boats, the storing barns and lodgings.

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Sights and Activities

Chapel Bridge

Luzern

Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) is Lucerne's most famous landmark. Constructed in 1333, it is Europe's oldest wooden bridge.
Adjoining it is the Water Tower (Wasserturm), a 140-foot tall brick tower that's been used as a torture chamber, prison, watchtower and treasury. The bridge is covered. Inside, it features paintings by Kaspar Meglinger from the 17th century, depicting events from local history.

Cathedral of St. Leodegar

The Cathedral of St. Leodegar is another prominent landmark in Lucerne, easily recognised by its twin needle towers. The cathedral was originally built in 735, and modified in 1633 with a Renaissance style. The cathedral is known locally as Hofchile, or in German as Hofkirche.

Other attractions

Jesuitenkirche
The Lion Monument (Löwendenkmal)
Swiss Transport Museum
Culture and Convention Center Lucerne KKL
City wall Museggmauer
Ancient wine market Weinmarkt
Spreuerbrücke

Nearby attractions

Pilgrims church Hergiswald (black 'Loretto'-like Madonna)
Monastry Kloster Werthenstein

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Events and Festivals

Lucerne Festival in Summer (August - September) - The Lucerne festival celebrates the world of music in a festival of sound. Leading performers including orchastras, conductors and soloists come together three times a year for the festival. The Lucerne Festival in summer is the largest of the three festivals and is committed to classic and modern music. Every year this festival has a theme which governs the programming (2012: "Faith"), but there's guaranteed to have internationally renowned performers. Address: Lake Lucerne
Lucerne Festival at The Piano (November) - This music festival is devoted entirely to the art of pianism. Classical pianists, famous jazzmen, new and established masters, pianists, organists, and harpsichord players: all come to Lucerne for a week to fill the air with recitals, concertos, and improvisations. Address: Lake Lucerne
Lucerne Festival at Easter (March) - This festival focuses on sacred music as it runs for ten days over Easter, finishing with Palm Sunday. Address: Lake Lucerne
Lucerne-Carnival (February) - The history of Lucerne's carnival can be traced back over more than 600 years and is in celebration of the figure of Fritschi. His origin and meaning isn't clear but he can be traced back to the 15th Century where he was a symbolic figure. The Fritschi parade takes place on Dirty Thursday (a week before Ash Wednesday) then the Wey Parade is on Carnival Monday. The final evening is on Shrove Tuesday where a monster conert is held. Maskedd balls attract huge crowds and it is a big glittering outdoor party that is held in the alleyways and squares of the old town. It's best known for the musicians donned in strange and fantastic masks while playing their trumpets and tamborines. Bands gegnerally wander the city after the parades playing music. Address: Lake Lucerne Region
Blue Balls Festival (Late July) - This annual music festival has featured many international stars e.g. Van Morrison, Tracey Chapman, Jethro Tull, KT Tunstall and Billy Idol. It is a great Swiss musicand arts festival which transforms the lakeside of Lucern into a buzzing cultural bonanza. There are newcomers and young talent who also perform in the music, art, video, film and talks of the festival. Address: KKL Lucerne, The Pavilion and The Schweizerhof Hotel.
Lucerne Cheese Festival (October) - This festival is held every year in Lucerne. Cheese producers from central Switzerland offer over 100 different kinds of cheese. There's also a tasting area dedicated to cheese and wine of the Lucerne area.

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Weather

Lucerne's summers from June to early September see highs of 20-25 °C, with nights between 10 °C and 15 °C. Winters from December to March are mostly above zero during the day just below at night.

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Getting There

By Plane

By Train

Swiss Railways has regular connections to many cities and towns throughout Switzerland. There are hourly trains from Olten and Zurich Airport and half-hourly trains from Zurich, and a direct train every hour from Bern. The "Zentralbahn" branch of the Swiss Federal Railway provides also hourly trains between Interlaken and Luzern during daytime.

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Lucerne sits at the north end of the Vierwaldstättersee. There are connections to/from Schwyz, Flüelen, Weggis and other places. Check theSchifffahrt Vierwaldstättersee website.

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Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

Buses travel around the city.

By Foot

The Old Town is small and most place can easily be reached by foot.

By Bike

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Eat

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Drink

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Sleep

Budget

Property	Address	Type	Popularity
Best Western Hotel Krone	Weinmarkt 12	Hotel	85
Hotel Alpha	Zähringerstraße 24	Hotel	83
Baslertor Summer Pool Hotel	Pfistergasse 17 6003 Lucerne	Hotel	81
Hotel Falken	Falkengasse 6	Hotel	74
Hotel Luzernerhof	Alpenstrasse 3	Hotel	-
Magic Hotel	Brandgässli 1	Hotel	-
Hotel Pension Roesli	Pfistergasse 12 6003 Lucerne	Hotel	77
Lion Lodge Lucerne	Zürichstrasse 57	Hostel	76
The Bed + Breakfast	Taubenhausstrasse 34	Guesthouse	88
Tourist Hotel Lucerne	St. Karliquai 12	Hotel	78
Twins Minbak Hostel	Eisfeldstrasse 2a	Hostel	79
Youthhostel Luzern	Sedelstr. 12	Hostel	76
The Jailhotel	Löwengraben 18	Hotel	74
Hotel Motel Garni Spatz	Obergrundstrasse 103	Hotel	80
Hotel Felmis	Kastanienbaumstrasse 91	Hotel	82
Hotel Drei Koenige	Bruchstrasse 35	Hotel	80
Backpackers Lucerne	Alpenquai 42	Hostel	84
Hotel Himmelrich	Schattenbergstrasse 107 6010 Kriens	HOTEL	-
Seminarhaus Bruchmatt	Bruchmattstrasse 9	Hotel	-
A-Hostel	Lädelistrasse 6	Hostel	-
Hotel Flora	Seestrasse 6354 Vitznau	Hostel	-
Seehotel Sternen	Buochserstrasse 54 6375 Beckenried	HOTEL	-
Hotel Flora Lucerne	Seestrasse Vitznau	HOTEL	-

Mid-Range

Upscale

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Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

Post

Swiss Post is the national postal service of Switzerland and has fast and reliable services. For more information about prices to send postcards, letters and parcels, both domestically as well as internationally, they have a very useful Price Calculator. Domestically, there is priority mail (arriving the following day) and economy mail which takes 2-3 days to be send within Switzerland. Stamps can be bought at the post offices or from shops and kiosks that also sell postcards. In general, post offices are open from 8:00am to noon and 2:00pm to 5:00 or 6:00pm, with a lunchbreak in between. Opening times on Saturdays are usually only during mornings. Larger cities and central post offices might keep longer hours and skp the lunchbreak.

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