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Lucerne Private Guided City Tour Guide Service in Lucerne and Surroundings |
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On this page:
- City of Lucerne
- Museums
- Annual Events
- Other Events
- Open as PDF-File
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The geographical heart of Switzerland, more poetically described by Alexandre Dumas as "a pearl in the world's most beautiful oyster", Lucerne is an undeniably magical city. A medieval but still modern town nestled in a uniquely beautiful landscape - that is Lucerne, the city of lights. It's striking profile faces the world-famous Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee) surrounded by the impressive panorama of the Alps.Lucerne was a fishing village in the Middle Ages but the modest settlement soon became an important trading center after the St. Gotthard pass was opened and goods were transferred from ship to land transportation. The city was founded in 1178.Dotted throughout with many Renaissance and Baroque fountains, colorful paintings on the gables and commanded by the two exquisite wooden bridges, the Mill Bridge (Spreuerbrücke) and the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) with the 13th century octagonal Water Tower (Wasserturm), Lucerne's character is pure charm.The heritage of this historic locale and of Switzerland itself is palpable in every landmark. The Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) is a fine example of a Renaissance building whilst the City Wall (Museggmauer), built between 1350 and 1408 stands proud above the city.A stroll along the quay takes the visitor past the modern Culture and Convention Center, the KKL and onto the largest and most important Transport Museum (Verkehrshaus) in Europe, including a filmtheatre and the only Planetarium in Switzerland.The famous Lion Monument (Löwendenkmal) bears witness to the old tradition in Lucerne of mercenary soldiers. The nearby Glacier Garden, a geological phenomenon left over from the Ice Age with giant glacial potholes is a proof that Lucerne was once covered by glaciers.Spectacular views and sights abound from almost every vantage point in and around Lucerne. Mt. Pilatus with the world's steepest cogwheel railway, Mt. Rigi, the Queen of the mountains, with Europe's oldest cogwheel railway, Mt. Titlis, the highest peak of Central Switzerland, covered with eternal ice and snow all year round and Mt. Stanserhorn with its revolving restaurant offer spectacular views over one of the most breathtaking landscapes on earth.A paddle steamer ride around Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee) takes in the majesty and scenery of this beautiful area. A short drive will take you to the nearby winter resorts and many more lakes. This is the alpine range in central Switzerland where you will find glaciers, lush forests, verdant valleys and so much more.
Museums
Over an area of 2100 square meters there are temporary exhibitions, showing significant modern works of art, as well as exhibits from the museum's own collection with an emphasis on 19th and 20th century landscape painting and international art from 1960.
The Rosengart Collection
The Collection comprises well over 200 works by 23 different "Classic Modernist" artists. These include over 100 works by Paul Klee and some 50 by Pablo Picasso. Other artists represented include (in alphabetical order) Bonnard, Braque, Cézanne, Chagall, Dufy, Kandinsky, Laurens, Léger, Marini, Matisse, Miró, Modigliani, Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, Rouault, Seurat, Signac, Soutine, Utrillo and Vuillard.
Hans Erni Museum
The Hans Erni Museum - standing out in the complex with its transparent hexagonal form (architect: Jean-Marie Ellenberger) - not only makes the oeuvre of this doyen of Swiss art permanently accessible to the general public, it also creates a forum for encounter. The auditorium has become a popular conference venue, watched over by great thinkers old and new - from Thales to Albert Einstein - depicted in Erni's impressive two-part mural.
Richard Wagner, the revolutionary of 19th century music, lived from 1866 until 1872 in a country house at Tribschen. The former residence of the great composer has become a Richard Wagner memorial with many original objects and curiosa from Wagner's time in Lucerne. The museum also houses an exhibition of ancient musical instruments from Europe, Africa and Asia, said to be one of the finest collections in Europe.
Bourbaki-Panorama
The huge round painting (over 1000 square meters) depicts the retreat of the defeated French Eastern Army in the winter of the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) at Les Verrières in Switzerland.
Glacier Garden
The glacier mills and fossils discovered during building activities in 1872 form a splendid and now world-famous natural monument.
Swiss Transport Museum and Filmtheatre
The Swiss Transport Museum is the largest and most popular transport museum in Europe. It is the only museum which shows the development and technical progress of all forms of transport on land, water and in the air, as well as in the fields of communication and the tourist trade.
History Museum
Although various alterations and renovations were made in succeeding centuries, the substance of the building as we see it today is essentially unaltered. The museum collections include among others things, sections on cantonal and municipal history, weapons, handicrafts, folk art, religious art, domestic and social culture and the fine arts.
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum of the Canton of Lucerne began modestly in the 1820s as a "Cabinet of Natural Curiosities". This natural history collection was primarily used for educational purposes (until 1845) and only gradually made accessible to the general public.
Annual Events
Events in the city of Lucerne (calendar of events)
J a n u a r y
LILU - Lucerne Light Festival
For 11 days in 19 January 2020 Lucerne becomes a gathering place immersed in light. The Lilu Light Festival Lucerne finds artists from all over the world showcasing light in all its manifold and fascinating facets. Discover creative light installations on a heart-warming winter walk and experience an attractive side program designed to appeal to all the senses. Between 6 and 10 p.m. daily, squares, tourist attractions and alleys in the Old Town and around the bay will be artfully illuminated.
F e b r u a r y
Carnival
Shortly before Ash Wednesday, includes 3 parades of musicians in whimsical
costumes producing ear splitting sounds from trumpets, kettles and drums.
M a r c h and/or A p r i l
Lucerne "Stadtlauf"
Public run through the old town
J u n e
Stadtfest Luzern
Last Friday/Saturday of June
To support charitable institutions
J u l y
Festival "Luzern Live"
Local and international bands and singers will perform open-air and in the KKL.
A u g u s t / S e p t e m b e r
Lucerne Festival
Classical music, in August and September, one of the most important musical
events in Europe
O c t o b e r
N o v e m b e r
D e c e m b e r
St. Nicholas Procession in Küssnacht (near Lucerne)
One of Europe's most impressive St. Nicholas tradition. The procession with around 200 elaborated "Iffelen" folowed by St. Nicholas and the huge din of more than 1000 "Klaus Chasers" is spelling the 20'000 spectators.
Rich Christmas decoration in the old part of town starting at the end of November.
Carol Singers (Sternsinger)
The singers walk through the old town accompanied by the Holy Family, the shepherds with their animals and the Three Magi.
Lucerne Theater, Opera and Ballet
Almost daily performances between August and June
Classical concerts, KKL
Lucerne Symphony Orchestra and guest orchestras
Swiss Folkloric Show
"Stadtkeller", between April and November, live music is performed twice a day
Casino
The classical building with its impressive rooms is a play ground for events, entertainment and laissez-faire. Thanks to its new gaming license, the Casino now offers American Roulette, Black Jack, Mini Punto Banco, Stud Poker, Craps and 217 Slot Machines.
Weekly Farmers Market along the river Reuss, every Tuesday and Saturday, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Lucerne Arts and Crafts Market, Weinmarkt, first Saturday of each month, April to November (Christmas Market in December)
Flee Market along the river Reuss, every Saturday, May to October, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
© LucerneGuide - Designed by R. Hofstetter
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