Lucerne

Introduction

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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

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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 -Easter, late summer, November
Carnival procession Fasnachtsumzug
FC Lucerne

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Getting There

By Plane

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

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Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

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	88
Hotel Alpha	Zähringerstraße 24	Hotel	83
Baslertor Summer Pool Hotel	Pfistergasse 17 6003 Lucerne	Hotel	84
Hotel Falken	Falkengasse 6	Hotel	76
Hotel Luzernerhof	Alpenstrasse 3	Hotel	65
Magic Hotel	Brandgässli 1	Hotel	80
Hotel Pension Roesli	Pfistergasse 12 6003 Lucerne	Hotel	78
Lion Lodge Lucerne	Zürichstrasse 57	Hostel	76
The Bed + Breakfast	Taubenhausstrasse 34	Guesthouse	92
Tourist Hotel Lucerne	St. Karliquai 12	Hotel	81
Twins Minbak Hostel	Eisfeldstrasse 2a	Hostel	81
Youthhostel Luzern	Sedelstr. 12	Hostel	74
The Jailhotel	Löwengraben 18	Hotel	74
Hotel Motel Garni Spatz	Obergrundstrasse 103	Hotel	82
Hotel Felmis	Kastanienbaumstrasse 91	Hotel	83
Hotel Drei Koenige	Bruchstrasse 35	Hotel	87
Backpackers Lucerne	Alpenquai 42	Hostel	84
Hotel Himmelrich	Schattenbergstrasse 107 Kriens	Hotel	80
Seminarhaus Bruchmatt	Bruchmattstrasse 9	Hotel	83
A-Hostel	Lädelistrasse 6	Hostel	97

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.