Lucerne (Luzern), Switzerland

Lucerne is a three-hour train ride from Nyon, Steve and Maria's nearest station, so Bill and I decided to take a day trip there. While they experienced rain all day in Geneva, we were dry as we took ourselves on the self-guided walking tour of Lucerne. The tourist information center provided a nice booklet with descriptions and a map showing the major historic sites. We were back home by 7:30 in time for dinner with the family.

The arch in front of the train station makes it easy to find the way back.

The Post Office is across the street from the train station.

This tower was built around 1300 as part of the city wall. We watched quite a waterfowl food fight  over  a slice of bread.

The Chapel Bridge was built in the 14th Century. The paintings commemorating Lucerne's history added  in the 17th Century include biographies of city's saints, Leodegar and Mauritius. Much of the bridge has been reconstructed following a fire in 1993. 

The Chapel bridge is quite long. This is part of it.

The Baroque Jesuit Church was built in 1666.

The Italian Renaissance style Ritterscher Palace was built 1557 as a private residence for mayor Lux Ritter. It was the living quarters for Jesuits called to Lucerne in 1574. It is now the Cantonal seat of government.

The Needle Dam was built in 1859 and renovated between 2009 and 2011.

This is the top side of the Needle Dam, which provides flood protection.

The Spreuer Bridge was completed 1408 as part of the city fortification. Between 1626 and 1635 Kaspar Meglinger added 67 Dance of Death paintings under the ceiling in triangles like the historical ones on the Chapel Bridge.

The rampart walls were built in 1386. It was quite a hike to get up here, but we were able to walk along the outside of the wall and see several towers, all different.

The city views from the rampart walls are spectacular. We were so glad it wasn't foggy or raining!

The Dying Lion of Lucerne commemorates the heroic death of  the Swiss mercenaries in 1792 in the Tuilleries  in the service of Louis XVI during the French Revolution.

The clock tower is on the back of the Town Hall.

The white building on the left is the Phistern guildhall. Next to it is the front of the Town Hall,  completed in 1606.