Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
Lake, Mountains, Paddle Steamers, Cog Railways and City Sightseeing
Sep 22, 2008
Lucerne with its background of snow-capped mountains and its fairytale-like turrets and covered wooden bridges is considered Switzerland’s most elegant, and prettiest, city. Medieval winding streets, cobbled squares and liberally frescoed ancient buildings, blend in with the modern buildings of which the inhabitants are so proud.
What to do in Lucerne
A manageable and walkable city, Lucerne is the perfect base for short excursions to the mountains and towns around the lake. It has enough quality restaurants to please the most discerning, seriously good shops for retail therapy, and nightlife diversions ranging from cabaret shows to beer kellers. Travelling around is made easy, with combined tickets for lake and railway. The lake is a method of travel highly recommended, linking the towns around the lake with paddle steamers that dodge the white swans for which Lucerne is famous and tickets can be purchased giving you the choice of lake steamer one way, mountain railway in between, then back with Swiss Rail or bus.
Chapel Bridge and the Water Tower, the Hofkirche and Lion Monument
Lucerne’s much photographed landmarks, the Chapel Bridge and the Water Tower, originally formed part of the city fortifications, and the walk across the bridge admiring the series of painted panels hung beneath the eaves is a must. A good place to stop for a glass of wine, or coffee and schnapps is in one of the 3 main squares in the old town, surrounded by historic houses with colourful frescoes. Afterwards, walk along the lakeside to Switzerland’s most important Renaissance church, the Hofkirche, not far from the famous, sad-looking Lion Monument.
Lake Lucerne and the Lion Monument
Mark Twain has described this as the saddest looking lion in the world. In 1823, Danish artists Bertel Thorvaldsen, sculpted this wounded lion from a rocky cliff to commemorate the deaths of 700 mercenaries killed in Paris during the revolutions of 1799. Today the dying lion is part of Lucerne’s quirky history, a quiet spot to in which to stop and reflect.
Lake Lucerne’s Music Festivals and the KKK
The eye-catching Culture and Conference Centre (the KKK) is Lucerne’s pride and joy, a monumental edifice in glass and steel that seems to float on the lake. It houses galleries, restaurants and a superb concert hall and the apron that extends from the hall makes the perfect spot from which to watch fireworks during one of Lucerne's many festivals.
Lucerne’s reputation as one of the leading international organisers of classical and contemporary music festivals is well established, and the theatre has its own ensemble for plays and opera. During August and September over 30 symphony concerts and up to 60 other events are held in the KKK and other venues. As well as music and theatre, the city has some splendid art galleries, the Picasso Museum, Museum of Art, Wagner Museum, Transport Museum among others.
Lake Lucerne’s nearby mountains
Fatigue can easily be dispersed by a trip to the mountains, especially Lucerne’s “own” Mt. Pilatus (the unmissable trip). Climb slowly to the summit on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway through flower-carpeted meadows dotted with wooden chalets hung with geraniums, and then gasp at the panorama of Lucerne laid out before you as you listen to the cow-bells from the tan and white cows that provide the exquisite milk for the Swiss chocolate.
Paddle-Boat Trips on Lake Lucerne
For a taste of romance take a trip to any of the beautiful, sparkling little towns that surround the lake, Viznau, Brienz, or Weggis. Stop off and ride the steep cog-wheel rails or take a cable car up to the summits of the nearby mountains. Rigi, Stanserhorn and Lucerne’s own Pilatus mountains are the favourites, or travel on (still via ferry) to the acclaimed Alpine resort of Engelberg and the breathtaking icebound Titlis summit.
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