2024 Thursday Aug 22

Lucerne

We left Zurich for the short train trip to Lucerne. Our accommodation was well-situated, and used to be the prison. Lucerne is known for its two covered bridges over the river: the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrucke) and the Spreuer Bridge (Spreuerbrucke). A boat trip on Lake Lucerne gives a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains and the city.

Richard did not make a Relive video for this first day in Lucerne.

After a quick breakfast at our hotel (delicious), we were ready to Uber to the station to train to Lucerne.
Zurich train station artwork
The Zurich train schedule board.
Lucerne’s welcome arch across from the train station.
One of the more interesting tidbits from Lucerne: whereas in the Zurich train station there were bathroom entry machines that took cash (or credit cards), Lucerne operates on a cashless bathroom entry system. Outside the bathroom door you can purchase drinks, snacks, and bathroom entry cards.
Hotel Barabas (Sleep Behind Bars). The building is renovated from the old prison. We had a larger room on the front (arched windows) but you could also stay in a cell (small square windows) or dormitories.
The row of cells (small rooms) at Hotel Barabas.
St. Leodegar Church.
Interior of St. Leodegar Church.
St. Leodegar at the door invites us inside.
The Lion’s Monument honors the Swiss Guards who have been killed in two separate battles. The names of officers killed are etched below, and the total number killed is listed in Roman numerals. The lion has a broken lance in his shoulder (in the shadow of the picture) and rests on the shield with France’s fleur-di-lis. The massacres were when defending the Tuileries in the French Revolution (1792), and in the September massacres at a prison that followed.
Looking back on the city from the vantage point of a tourist boat.
Some of the grand hotels that have made Lucerne a destination for centuries.
Mount Pilatus as viewed from our lake trip. It is several peaks together, the highest of which is 6983 feet. We learned of the legend that a dragon inhabited the mountain since the thunder resonates through crevasses in the mountain massif.
The Chapel Bridge
Artwork decorates the Chapel bridge. Unfortunately, much of the artwork was destroyed in a fire that burned about two-thirds of the bridge in 1993.
The Chapel Bridge as seen from the main thoroughfare (Seebrucke).
Cheese fondue as we remembered from 50 years ago.

4 Responses

  1. At the top of Wendy and my very favorite European cities! Walking along the river and eating at the many wonderful restaurants is always a treat. And love that cheese fondue! Probably too late to suggest but at the end of the lake taking the trolly to the top of Mt Pilatus and taking the ski lift down the other side is a dazzling scenic trip. Enjoy your time in this very vibrant city!
    Dan

    1. We’ve considered some of the mountain day trips but decided we just didn’t have enough time this trip (I can’t make myself say it’s a short trip!) so much to see and do.

  2. The Lion’s Monument is just so beautifully sad. What a powerful memorial.
    Did you guys see any ghosts at your hotel!!?!
    What a cool renovation into a hotel.
    Putting that on my “to stay” list!

    1. I agree with your comments about the lion. Mark Twain agreed and called it “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.”[wikipedia]
      We weren’t in a cell so I missed the ghost. Our room was very near the prisoner’s room where one prisoner artist captured what each prisoners was missing. He used the name Barabas; hence the name of the hotel. You will fit right in here. Check out the next day’s blog with the guillotine from the prison attic!