Nestled on the far western tip of the lake of the same name, at the exact point where the Reuss River plunges into it, watched over by the imposing silhouette of Mount Pilatus, Lucerne has always enjoyed a more than privileged position, close to important centers, along strategic routes to Bern and the Oberland, to Zurich, the Rhine Valley, the Grisons, and that formidable transit route that is the San Gottardo.
It is a city full of charm that has heavily invested in tourism for decades, encouraging the exit of industries and factories from the urban fabric and a very high concentration of services. The uninterrupted flow of lakeside promenades, known here as quai, makes it lively but not chaotic, and its pleasant mix of architectural styles ignites curiosity step by step, neighborhood by neighborhood. Added to this are the grandeur of the covered wooden bridges and the poignant charm of the arcades over the water, silent and motionless witnesses to the passage of centuries. A convenient spot to leave cars and immerse yourself on foot among the city’s beauties is the station, served by numerous parking lots, or Haldenstrasse. From here, it is best to head to the Kappellbruke, the magnificent 14th-century covered wooden bridge, symbol of the old town. It was part of, along with the walls, the massive urban defensive system and has a curious oblique alignment with the course of the Reuss. About halfway along stands the picturesque Wasserturm, the Water Tower, once a prison, archive, and treasure chamber. Walking it to the end, listening to the sound of your footsteps on the wood and admiring the more than one hundred painted panels of the roof, which depict the history of Lucerne and its patron saints, is always quite moving.
On the eastern side of the bridge opens one of the city’s most elegant districts: Rathausquai, announced by Schwanenplatz, the swan square bordered by watchmakers, jewelers, trendy shops, and a former historic hotel, the Schwanen, today only a restaurant. From the square, you can reach two other landmark monuments: the Fritschi Fountain, the very popular character that inspires the carnival, and the St. Peter Kirche, the oldest church, founded in 1178 and later heavily remodeled. Also not to be missed is the Kornmarkt, the old grain market, where the 17th-century old town hall building stands proudly; the Weinmarkt, the wine market square, the medieval heart of Lucerne, lined with doll-like houses with frescoed facades, from which narrow and intriguing alleys depart; the Muhlenplatz, the mill square, surrounded by 18th-century small palaces and the nearby 15th-century covered wooden bridge with the painting of the Dance of Death in the roof and side panels depicting the trades of nobles and common folk. Art lovers should not miss a visit to the Picasso Museum, housed in an elegant 17th-century building at no. 21 Furengasse, the Kunstmuseum, entirely dedicated to Swiss and Lucerne art, hosted in the Palace of Arts and Congresses. Or the famous Transport Museum, the largest of its kind in Europe, offering a fascinating journey through the history of locomotion and communications.
