Data on the extreme western tip of the homonymous lake, at the exact point where the Reuss river plunges into it, overseen by the imposing silhouette of Mount Pilatus, Lucerne has always enjoyed a more than privileged position, close to important centers, along strategic routes towards Bern and the Oberland, to Zurich, the Rhine Valley, the Grisons and that formidable transit route which is the San Gottardo.
It is a city full of charm that has heavily invested in tourism for decades, encouraging the departure of industries and factories from the urban fabric and a very high concentration of services. The continuous flow of walks along the lakefront, called quais here, makes it lively but not chaotic, and its pleasant puzzle of architectural styles arouses 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 on the water, silent and immobile witnesses to the passage of centuries. A convenient point to leave cars and immerse oneself on foot among the city’s beauties is the station, served by numerous parking lots, or Haldenstrasse. From here it is advisable to head to the Kappellbruke, the magnificent 14th-century covered wooden bridge, symbol of the old city. It was part, along with the walls, of the powerful urban defensive system and has a curious oblique arrangement with respect to the course of the Reuss. About halfway along is the picturesque Wasserturm, the Water Tower, once a prison, archive, and treasury. Walking it to the end, listening to the sound of your footsteps on the wood and admiring the over one hundred painted panels in the attic, which depict the history of Lucerne and its patron saints, always makes an impression.
On the eastern side of the bridge opens one of the most elegant city districts: Rathausquai, announced by Schwanenplatz, the swan square lined with clock shops, jewelers, fashion stores, and with a former historic hotel, the Schwanen, now only a restaurant. From the square, you can reach two other symbolic monuments: the Fritschi Fountain, the very popular character who 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, dominated by the 17th-century building of the ancient town hall; the Weinmarkt, the wine market square, the medieval heart of Lucerne, overlooking doll-like houses with frescoed facades from where narrow and intriguing alleys start; the Muhlenplatz, the mill square, surrounded by 18th-century townhouses, and the nearby covered wooden bridge of 15th-century origins, with the painting of the Danza Macabra in the attic and the side panels depicting the professions of nobles and commoners. Art lovers should not miss a visit to the Picasso Museum, housed in an elegant 17th-century palace at no. 21 Furengasse, the Kunstmuseum, entirely dedicated to Swiss and Lucerne art, housed in the Palace of Arts and Congresses. Or the famous Transport Museum, the largest of its kind in Europe, which offers a fascinating journey through the history of transportation and communications.
