Sights of interest

Constructed in the first half of the 14th century as part of the city’s fortifications, the bridge was named after nearby St. Peter’s chapel. The painted panels added in the 17th century illustrate scenes of Swiss and local history including biographies of the city’s patron saints, Leodegar and Maurice.

This octagonal tower is over 34 metres high and was built around 1300 as part of the city wall. Used as archive, treasury, prison and torture chamber, it is now Lucerne’s trademark attraction and the most photographed monument in Switzerland.

This, the first large sacral Baroque building in Switzerland, was constructed in1666 by Father Christoph Vogler on behalf of the Jesuits. The vault was redecorated in the mid-18th century. The inner chapel contains the original habit worn by Brother Klaus, a famous Swiss patron.

Completed in 1408 as part of the city fortifications,

Kaspar Meglinger added 67 paintings between 1626 and 1635 depicting the Dance Macabre. Called the Spreuer Bridge as wheat chaff (Spreu) and foliage could officially be discharged into the river here.

An almost intact remnant of the rampart walls built in 1386; three of its towers are open to the public: Schirmer, Zyt and Männli. The oldest city clock, built by Hans Luter in 1535, is in the Zyt tower. It is privileged to chime the hour one minute before all the other city clocks.

The “Dying Lion of Lucerne” is one of the world’s most famous monuments. It was hewn out of natural rock in memory of the heroic death of the Swiss Guard at the Tuileries in 1792. American author Mark Twain described the Lion of Lucerne as “the saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world”.

The KKL Lucerne (Culture and Convention centre Lucerne) on Europa Square is the work of the French architect Jean Nouvel. The 1840-seat concert hall is one of the finest in the world.