2024 Friday Aug 23

Lucerne

We had an idea of covering some items on our last day in Lucerne, but on impulse we ducked into the Lucerne History Museum as we passed. What a surprise! Besides excellent displays of historical and everyday items over the centuries, each floor also had a special exhibit, usually interactive, that would follow a specific theme. One floor covered fake news over hundreds of years, with current patrons having opportunities to draw or explain their ideas on the subject. Sadly, it was in German, but the pictures were a universal language.

Richard’s Relive video covers our day. See it here: https://www.relive.cc/view/vXOdp81VEkO

The Spreuer Bridge. This bridge covers a portion of the water-control system for the river and the fish ladder, and was once used as power for the milling district.
The Spreuer Bridge from the side. There is a religious altar near the spired building.
There are more than 60 triangular paintings on the Spreuer Bridge, all with a skeleton mixed in the crowd of living persons doing everyday activities. These are called the “Dance of Death” series commissioned in the early 17th century by the town council to encourage citizens to a healthy lifestyle by reminding them of the constant risk of death.
Water control by a system next to the Spreuer Bridge. The current is quite swift!
The guillotine used at Lucerne’s Senti Prison, last used to execute the last criminal sentenced to death under civil law in 1940. This guillotine was found in the attic of the prison renovated to become Hotel Barabas (our hotel!), and was donated to the Museum.

Masks are symbols used in the Lucerne carnival. It is a humorous and satirical carnival, celebrated around Lent. These characters used in the masks date from the 15th century, and can be found in art around the city.

Look closely on the fountain to see the examples of masks as were described in the History Museum.
The Musegg Wall was part of the city fortifications. Nine towers and connecting walls exist today, with many towers available to climb for city views. (Yes, Richard climbed another tower!)
The clock tower, one of the Musegg Wall towers, contains exhibits of many different kinds of clocks.
This clock tower exhibit was said to be similar to the Lucerne Rathaus clock.
The Rathaus (city hall) clock tower in Lucerne.
The Jesuit Church. It often hosts concerts as well as continuing to be a working Catholic Church. It is the first large Baroque church built in Switzerland north of the Alps, and was consecrated in 1677.
Jesuit church interiors.

Time for dinner and the end of another wonderful day. Tomorrow it’s off to Grindelwald.

One Response

  1. Glad you were able to stay another day in Lucerne. So much to do and a beautiful area to explore. The White Church is one of our favorites. Like your discipline, only one picture of food so far.
    Dan
    Yes! That baroque church was awesome! Looks like you are having a wonderful time! Miss you! Wendy