P00538
Switzerland, Lucerne
Lucerne has a few surprises up its sleeve beyond its beauty: it is a well-preserved medieval Old Town with rich history and many fascinating legends. Discover the “City of Lights” on this walking tour where you can admire the main highlights of Lucerne. Stroll through the beautiful historical old town, with its ancient rampart walls and towers, 15th-century buildings with painted facades and the two covered bridges. Admire Lucerne’s best-known landmark: the 14th-century Chapel Bridge, Kapellbrücke, presumed to be the oldest wood bridge of Europe. It is famous for its distinctive octagonal Water Tower that flanks the famous structure and the spectacular 1993 fire that nearly destroyed it. Pass the 17th-century Jesuit Church, the first Baroque church in Switzerland. Ponder on the famous Lion Monument, a rock relief with the figure of a grieving lion, designed by Bertel Thorvaldsen, that honours the Swiss Guards massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution. Mark Twain described it as “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.” According to the legend, an angel with a light showed the first settlers where to build a chapel in Lucerne, and today it still has an amazing grace. Another famous legend is regarding the place where William Tell shot an apple off of his son’s head. With so many stories to tell, Lucerne is definitely worth a visit!
