The Lucerne Visitor Card

The Lucerne Visitor Card is a thoughtful welcome gift for overnight guests staying in the city. Previously known as the "Guest Card," it offers great benefits to make your stay more enjoyable.

What is it?

First and foremost, it's a free transport pass for buses and trains in Zone 10, which covers Lucerne and its surrounding areas (excluding boats).

© VBL AG, Public Bus Transportation Lucerne

What is Zone 10?

Zone 10 includes the entire city of Lucerne and nearby districts. If your hotel is located within the city, your Visitor Card is valid for travel in this zone.

How long is the Visitor Card valid?

It is valid from your arrival day until your departure day.

When do I receive my Visitor Card?

You will receive it shortly before arrival by email from your hotel or upon check-in at the reception. Each hotel room is issued one card, which includes the number of guests staying in the room.

Can I use public transport for free on my arrival day before I get the Visitor Card?

Yes! Your hotel booking in a Lucerne city hotel allows you to travel for free to your hotel on the day of arrival.

Popular Public Transport Routes for Visitors

• From Lucerne train station to your hotel.

• From your hotel to the Lion Monument.

• A trip to Mount Pilatus, taking the bus to Kriens.

• Visiting the Swiss Museum of Transport, located slightly outside the city center.

• A train ride to Hergiswil to explore the famous glass factory, Glasi Hergiswil.

• And many more possibilities!

What else is included?

• Free Wi-Fi access in the city of Lucerne.

• Discounts and special offers at various attractions and shops.

[Lucerne Visitor Card - official Website]

[Zone 10 Map]

The Treadwheel Crane in the Church of St. Leodegar (Hofkirche)

On Folio 3r of Diebold Schilling's Lucerne Chronicle, a treadwheel crane is depicted in the construction of the first monastery church at Hof in the 8th century.

Diebold Schilling Chronicle, Folio 3r

The Scene 

At the top of the image, an angel holding a lantern provides light—a reference to the mistaken derivation of "Lucerne" from Lucerna (Latin for "lamp", "the light"). In the lower-left portion, Abbot Wichard oversees the construction. Below him, two workers mix mortar, while a monk, lifting his robe, carries stones. On the far right, a stonemason works in an open hut. At the center, the new monastery church is being built around the former St. Nicholas Chapel.

At the heart of the image, a treadwheel crane is visible. What appears to be a gallows is actually the crane’s frame. Beneath it, the large wheel functions as a treadmill, powered by human effort—similar to a hamster wheel. The crane rope runs from the treadmill over the frame to a corner pillar. Attached to the rope is a stone clamp (also called Wolf or Wolf’s Tongs), which grasps a stone block. A worker, dressed like a town servant, ensures the block is positioned correctly.

The Stone Clamp

When the crane rope is pulled up, the clamp tightens around the stone, allowing it to be lifted securely. Small indentations are carved into the sides of the block to prevent slipping. By utilizing its own weight, even the heaviest stones can be raised efficiently.

A Historic Treadwheel in Lucerne

Lucerne still preserves a historic treadmill, located in the attic of the Hofkirche. To this day, it is used during the Ascension Day service to lift an image of Christ. 

Treadwheel Crane in the Church of St. Leodegar

When Odin became Türst

Türst is a pagan spirit from the Lucerne region. Originally, he was none other than Odin, also known as Wotan, the chief god of Norse mythology.

When Christianity spread, the old gods did not completely disappear from people's minds. Instead, the new religious leaders transformed them into ghosts and spirits, whose power was said to be strongest when people strayed from a godly life.

Türst, also called Thürst or Vuotis, is described as a demonic hunter who frightens both people and animals. A meeting with him can cause madness or even death. He is followed by a wild pack of three-legged dogs or pigs. Anyone who gets in his way or does not move aside quickly enough is turned into one of these creatures and is doomed to follow him forever.

The Wild Hunt

Türst is often said to hunt in forests and riverbeds, especially in places like Entlebuch, Wiggertal, Schiltwald, Hundsrücken, Würzenbachtobel (Lucerne), Horw, and Hergiswil. In almost every part of the canton, there are paths associated with him. Some places even bear his name, such as Türstegg in Escholzmatt and Türstbach in Hergiswil.

Sometimes, Türst is accompanied by a witch-like figure called the Sträggele. He is also described as riding an eight-legged horse, just like Odin.

The Witch Carried Through the Air by the Devil

Barbara Schatzmann, a midwife from St. Gallen, was suspected of being a witch in 1570 in Lucerne. She was arrested and confessed in Willisau that she had killed a boy by blowing on him. She also admitted in prison that her lover, the "Federmisch" (a name for the Devil), had taught her how to kill newborns by stabbing them in the head with a needle. According to different sources, she claimed to have done this to either 11 or 27 babies.

Even in prison, Barbara Schatzmann was tormented by the Devil, so guards had to watch her day and night. When they least expected it, the Devil struck. He came in the form of a black bird, grabbed her, tore off her skin, and carried her body and soul through the air. All that remained was her skin, blown up like a balloon.

At least, that is how the story is recorded in the Wickiana, a 16th-century collection of news reports. However, historical records from the Lucerne State Archive confirm that Barbara Schatzmann actually died in prison.

Wickiana (Zentralbibliothek Zürich, F 19, fol. 121v)

The Illustration in the Wickiana

The picture from the Wickiana (Zentralbibliothek Zürich, F 19, fol. 121v) shows the inside of the prison. On the left, we see her empty, blown-up skin with marks from the Devil’s attack, while two shocked guards look on.

In the top left corner, there is a winch, a tool used for stretching torture. Below it, we see heavy stones that were tied to prisoners' feet.

Through the tower window, the Devil can be seen flying away with his victim. Onlookers in the street point at him in shock.

Sources (All in German)

• Senn Matthias, Die Wickiana, Johann Jakob Wicks Nachrichtensammlung aus dem 16. Jahrhundert. Seiten 180, 258.
• Schacher Joseph, Das Hexenwesen im Kanton Luzern (1947), Seite 27.
• e-periodica, Das Hexenwesen im 16. Jahrhundert.
• Staatsarchiv des Kantons Luzern: https://staatsarchiv.lu.ch/schaufenster/quellen/Hexen

The Schumacher Plan – The First Precise City View of Lucerne

The Elevation of the City of Lucerne, better known as the Schumacher Plan, dates back to 1790 and was drawn by Franz Xaver Schumacher (1755–1808). In 1792, Jakob Joseph Clausner engraved the work in copper.

While the Martini Plan impresses with its beauty and vibrancy, the Schumacher Plan stands out for its remarkable accuracy. It depicts the city of Lucerne with exceptional detail. For instance, the execution site at Senti and the executioner’s residence are drawn to scale—details that are barely visible in the Martini Plan.

Schumacher Plan Luzern 1790, Franz Xaver Schumacher (1755-1808)

Wikimedia Commons 

Franz Xaver Schumacher came from a patrician family in Lucerne and studied in Bologna and Modena during his youth. Later, he served the French crown, held positions as a councilor, officer, bailiff, and was a passionate scientist.

A Masterpiece of Cartography

In the lower left corner of the plan, the following explanation is provided:

“This drawing of all the buildings in the city of Lucerne is depicted à vue d’oiseau, or from above, recorded geometrically from a fixed point, extracted from the plan, and rendered with the utmost accuracy in terms of both the height of the buildings and the width of the streets. Consequently, the plan had to be expanded, which is why the ground plan itself is included for better reference.”

The Schumacher Plan is therefore drawn in a bird’s-eye perspective (three-dimensional), which slightly expands the city view. In the upper left corner, a small supplementary plan presents an exact geometric top-down (two-dimensional) view for comparison.

The Significance of the Plan in its Time
The legend of the Schumacher Plan lists numerous significant buildings, towers, streets, and squares of Lucerne, including the town hall, the Musegg towers, churches, bridges, and guild houses. Its detailed representation provides a deep insight into the city’s structure in the late 18th century.

Notably, the explanation contains strong French influences—a reflection of the aristocratic elite’s admiration for French culture and Enlightenment ideas at the time. However, this period also saw dramatic upheavals: the French Revolution (1789–1799), the storming of the Tuileries Palace (1792), and the end of military cooperation between France and Switzerland. Soon after, the French Invasion of 1798 marked the beginning of the Helvetic Republic, bringing profound political changes.

The Schumacher Plan remains a unique historical document—a cartographic masterpiece that captures Lucerne with unprecedented precision.

The Zur Gilgen House and Tower

Zur Gilgen House and Tower, one of the most impressive buildings of Old Lucerne.

The Zur Gilgen House and the adjoining Baghard Tower were built in the early 16th century by Melchior Zur Gilgen and have remained in the possession of his descendants, who still reside there today.
In the mid-18th century, the house underwent Baroque renovations both inside and out, while the Baghard Tower, now known as the Zur Gilgen Tower, preserved its original architectural style.

Between 1830 and 1836, the Papal Nunciature was housed in the Zur Gilgen House. Later, it served as a guesthouse, with its most famous visitor being Victor Hugo.

Detail from the Martini plan (1597), Zur Gilgen House with Tower .

As we can see on the Martiniplan from 1597, the Zur Gilgen House had a Gothic style and stood directly by the water. After the "Brandgässli" fire in 1833, the Rathausquai was filled up with debris from the fire, and the Zur Gilgen House got a walled front garden.
To the south, the Schwanenplatz was also filled up. Since then, the house no longer borders directly on the lake.
Today, the shooting slits on the Zur Gilgen Tower, which were used for defense, can still be seen. 

The Zur Gilgen Haus, Xaxer Schwegler (1832-1902)

The Lucerne artist Xaver Schwegler painted the artwork at the end of the 19th century. The area now known as Schwanenplatz was then called Schifflände and was expanded during the land reclamation for Schweizerhofquai. While the Hof Bridge and parts of the city wall were demolished, the Zur Gilgen House with its round tower, the Water Tower, and the tower with St. Peter’s Chapel—visible in historical depictions—have been preserved.

The Rössli Inn and the Old Water Rights

The former Rössli Inn was the first luxury hotel in Lucerne with its own fountain. In the early 16th century, it was the preferred accommodation for French ambassadors. The inn had around 20 beds, along with stables and fodder for horses and livestock—standard features of a hotel at that time. Its unique feature was its own water fountain.

The Rössli Inn in the Diebold Schilling Chronicle

In Folio 310v of the Diebold Schilling Chronicle, we see an illustration of the arrival of the French treasurer in Lucerne in 1509.

The Scene

The French treasurer brings pension funds to Lucerne to recruit mercenaries:

• In the background, three Musegg Towers can be seen: Mändli, Luegisland, and Wachturm.
• In the foreground, three stone buildings appear, all inns, as shown by their inn signs:
  • On the right: The "Schwert" (Sword)
  • In the center: The "Rössli" (Little Horse)
  • On the left: The "Raben" (Raven)
• The weathervanes on the roof of the Rössli Inn display the coat of arms of its innkeeper, Peter Zumkäs.
• Next to the inn sign, a rack for hanging bridles can be seen. Below it, a horse is entering the stables, located where the entrance to Coop City is today.
• In the foreground, the French treasurer is seen riding in a blue cloak, surrounded by armed men.
• To his right, a mule loaded with treasure chests belonging to the French crown is visible.
• Another mule carrying more chests follows behind.

Around 1514, the city of Lucerne built a fountain in the Rössli Inn. The inn was granted the fountain under one condition: anyone lacking or needing water could collect it from the Rössli fountain.

Today, the original Rössli Inn no longer exists. Instead, the Coop City building stands in its place. However, the old water rights still apply:

• The building still has its own fountain.
• It must provide water to everyone to maintain this historical right.
• This increases the property’s value, so the owner ensures that public access to the water is always maintained.

How the Water Right is Upheld Today

The Coop supermarket has leased the entire building. Today:

• A decorative fountain in the self-service restaurant on the top floor always has running water.
• In front of the building, a modern drinking fountain is available.

These measures preserve the historical water right, ensuring the tradition continues.

Mühleplatz Lucerne with Coop city, former "Rössli Inn"

P.S. In the basement of the building, there is one of three supermarkets in the historical center.
And on the top floor, there is quite a good budget self-service restaurant. (Weekdays 09:00-19:00, Saturdays 09:00-17:00, Sunday closed).

How Diebold Schilling Saved an Innocent Man

In the Diebold Schilling chronicle on folio 174v he depicts an event that took place on April 29, 1495, at the Sentimatt execution site.

Diebold Schilling, Luzerner Chronik, 1513, Folio 174

The Scene
At the center of the image, dressed in red, stands the judge, holding the executioner’s sword. He is the most important figure in the scene, symbolizing the authority of the judiciary. With a commanding hand gesture, he orders the executioner to stop.

The executioner, visibly confused, obediently sets down the iron-bound breaking wheel. He had just been about to begin the brutal process of "breaking on the wheel", starting with the convicted man’s right lower leg.

What Happened?
At that moment, Diebold Schilling arrives, pointing at the condemned man and declaring his innocence. Dressed in priestly robes, Schilling appears as a subordinate figure in the painting, humbly pleading for the life of the wrongly convicted man. This is fitting, as he was not only a chronicler but also a priest at St. Peter’s Chapel.

The convicted man, Jakob Kessler, was a vagrant from Breisgau, accused of committing murder in Lenzkirch, near the Titisee in the Black Forest. Under severe torture, he had confessed to the crime. However, he later gave his confessor a more credible account, insisting that he was innocent. Two city guards overheard this and informed Diebold Schilling, who courageously intervened.

Messengers were immediately dispatched to Lenzkirch to verify the accusation. But upon arrival, they discovered that no such murder had ever taken place. As a result, Jakob Kessler was freed. He later set out on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela—perhaps out of gratitude for his rescue or possibly as a penance pilgrimage, which was a common practice for released prisoners.

Other Executions
On the far right of the image, another man is being burned at the stake—also an outsider. His name was Martin Senn, a man from Savoy, accused of murdering a virgin and committing sodomy with a cow.

In the upper left corner, a triangular gallows structure is visible, with two hanged corpses—likely left there for weeks as a warning to others. It was common practice to let the bodies rot until they fell apart naturally.

In the background, we can see the Reuss River and, beyond the smoke, part of the Musegg Wall.

A Risky Act of Defiance
Though Diebold Schilling depicts himself in the image as humble and subordinate, he is, without question, the true hero of the story.
How daring must it have been to challenge a court ruling during a public execution, in front of a large crowd of spectators? The ruling elite considered themselves divinely appointed and infallible—to question their verdict was unthinkable.

What risk did Schilling take?
It is difficult to say, but his courage is undeniable. He must have enjoyed considerable respect and influence to get away with such defiance. Others who spoke against authority could face brutal punishments—having their right hand cut off and being strangled at a stake.

A Lesson in Justice
Through his chronicle, Diebold Schilling exposed the injustices of his time. Today, we know that justice was far from impartial:

40% of those executed were from the Lucerne countryside (the subject territories).
46.5% were other foreigners. (From the area outside of today's Canton of Lucerne).
Only 2% were citizens of Lucerne.

The Ghost in Furrengasse and the Toggelis

At the beginning of the 17th century, a ghost haunted Furrengasse in Lucerne. A tall, gaunt man with a large, crooked nose would climb the stairs to the town hall square and walk through Furrengasse. Suddenly, he would transform into a towering ghost, as tall as a house, dragging a long tail behind him. The ghost never harmed anyone and disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared.

At the same time, demons of the night—so-called Toggelis—would slip through open windows into the chambers of sleeping people. A Toggeli would sit on the chest of a sleeper, pressing down so heavily that they struggled to breathe.

But a Toggeli could also creep into a woman's dreams, exploring the depths of her mind. It would then deceive the helpless sleeper, making her believe it was the man of her dreams. The dreaming woman would imagine herself in the arms of her beloved, spending a passionate night together. By morning, the Toggeli would vanish, leaving the woman unsure whether she had merely dreamed or if it had truly happened.

The Nightmare- Johann Heinrich Füssli (aka Henry Fuseli, 1741 Zurich – 1825 London)

The maids whispered this story in hushed voices, but no one dared to write it down.
Night Watchman Ralf says: The Toggeli corresponds to the Latin "Incubus." Various sources confirm that this is a common translation.

Related Tours: Nightwatchman Ralf Walk (Public or Private)

The best water of Lucerne

Historical Center - map

The Best Water in Lucerne: Fresh from the Historic Fountains

The purest and best-tasting water in Lucerne can be found in the fountains of the historic old town. Unlike the houses and hotels, which receive their water through pressure pipes, these fountains have their own independent water supply, dating back to the Middle Ages.

The First Fountains of Lucerne

Wooden fountain on the Weinmarkt, 1332

Some of Lucerne’s earliest fountains were located at Fischmarkt Square (now Weinmarkt), Hirschenplatz, the junction of Eisengasse and Schlossergasse, and Hertensteinstrasse near the Einhorn restaurant.

One of the most remarkable—and possibly the oldest—fountain in Lucerne stands at Weinmarkt. As early as 1332, when Lucerne joined the Swiss Confederation, a wooden fountain stood in this square, as depicted in the Diebold Schilling Chronicle.

The current stone fountain at Weinmarkt was completed in 1494 by Konrad Lux from Basel. As recognition for his craftsmanship, he was granted citizenship of Lucerne. The original fountain base is now exhibited in the Historical Museum, while a faithful replica remains in the square.

Atop the fountain stands Saint Maurice, the city's patron saint. The six armored warriors at the base represent a historic military drill, once a mandatory event in old Lucerne. Twice a year, all citizens were required to own weapons and present them for inspection.

What Makes Lucerne’s Fountain Water So Special?

The city’s household and hotel water supply comes from two pressure pipes, which carry a mix of lake, groundwater, and spring water—ensuring high quality.

However, the water from the historic fountains is even better. It is pure spring water sourced from the slopes of Mount Pilatus, near the legendary Pilatussee. Since the Middle Ages, this water has flowed naturally along the Krienbach crest and beneath the Reussbrücke bridge into the old town.

While other cities, like Zurich, historically relied on lake and river water, Lucerne has always enjoyed pristine spring water.

Lucerne’s fountain water rivals premium bottled brands like Evian or San Pellegrino—but with an eco-friendly advantage: no long transport routes.

Another unique feature is its silence. Unlike pressured tap water, it flows naturally, without artificial force. Water enthusiasts say that quiet water should be drunk in quiet surroundings, allowing its calm energy to refresh both body and mind.

A Precious Resource That Must Be Protected

Lucerne’s free drinking water is an invaluable gift that must be preserved. Water should not be a commodity. Unfortunately, this is not the case everywhere.

Support the Lucerne-based non-profit "Wasser für Wasser" (Water for Water), which advocates for free access to clean drinking water. Use the Lucerne Fountain Guide to find your nearest fountain and enjoy some of the finest water in the world—for free!

Ritterscher Palace Lucerne

The Ritterscher Palace is probably the most impresssive Renaissance Palace of old Lucerne and was commissioned in 1556 by Mayor Lux Ritter.

Ritterscher Palace Luzern

Lux Ritter got very rich with mercenary and intended to build a house in the style of the Florentine Renaissance with heavy blocks and nice stone masonry work.

This style was already 100 years old in Florence, but it was new for Lucerne. Lux Ritter attracted crowds of builders from the South, who built an incomparable
house that is preserved for centuries.


Lucerne had no more than 5,000 inhabitants at that thime and most of the houses were made of wood. There were only a few private stone houses, such as the still existing Zur Gilgen House or the long-demolished Hertenstein House, which was decorated with frescoes by Hans Holbein.

A widely famous stonemason of this time was Giovanni Lyn, aka Hans of Trient. He was reluctant to get engaged by Lux Ritter. His fervid faith, however, became a disaster for him. He was accused of heresy, found guilty, and beheaded.

On the day of his execution Hans von Trient accursed Lux Ritter. A few days later, coincidence or not, Lux Ritter died.
(For further information read the story of Hans of Trient from the Wickiana).

At that time the three-storey palace with an open courtyard was completed by about two-thirds. The heirs of Lux Ritter were not able to carry on the construction. The house was taken over by the city of Lucerne and finished.

Then the time of Ludwig Pfyffer of Althishofen had come. He became the most powerful man of Lucerne. He ruled like a prince and was given the nick name "Swiss King."

In 1578, Ludwig Pfyffer of Altishofen handed over the building to the Jesuits, whom he had called to Lucerne. They built a church on the ground floor, as you can see on the Martiniplan.
Later this church was given up for the Jesuit Church. On the copper engraving of Martin Martini you can also see, that courtyard was open to the south at that time.

Martini Plan 1597, section with Ritterscher Palace.

Schumacherplan 1790, section with Ritterscher Palace and Jesuit Church of 1677.

After the Sonderbundskrieg of 1847 (Reformation War), the Jesuits were exiled from Lucerne and Switzerland. Everything in Lucerne that belonged to the Jesuits fell to the Canton of Lucerne. Thus the Ritterscher Palace turned into the Cantonal Government Building of the Canton of Luzern.

Ritterscher Palace with attached parliament building and covered courtyard - © google maps

Main Gate

On the second floor of the building the Dance of the Dead paintings by Jakob von Wyl are exhibited.

Generally speaking the building is open to the public from Monday to Friday. However it can be closed anytime for governmental events or state receptions. The admission is free.

When you visit the building, please respect the fact that behind the doors in the inner courtyard there are offices of the Cantonal Administration, where people are working. Please don't be loud.

For a guided tour including an inside visit to the Ritterscher Palace please refer to Nightwatchmanralf.com. 

I fell in love with the Martini Plan

The city of Lucerne has several very nice medieval maps. Among them is the Martiniplan of Lucerne, dated 1597. It is one of the best copper graving art work of that time.
Martini did not follow geometrical correctness. He changed the things in order to nicely present them. He has hidden some things and blowed up other things. The houses look a bit smaller, the roads and squares a bit bigger. On top of that he put live on the map by adding people to it. You can see Ladies with hats walking down the street and man with swords crossing the square.

Have a look at the Martiniplan on Wiki:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Martiniplan_Luzern.jpg


Most probably you will be amazed about the precision of this masterpiece, at least I am.
Have a virtual city sightseeing tour of Lucerne. See the Musegg Walls, the Kapellplatz, the town hall and the market unter der egg, or watch inside the mills at the Spreuerbrücke.

P.S. Notes on the Martiniplan

 1. Gütsch
 2. Gütsch Tower
 3. Senti Gate, St. Antonius Church
 4. Pfründer Hospital and lower Languish House
 5. Municipal Wood House
 6. Municipal Hospital St. Jakob
 7. Crossbow and Shooting Club House und Kuzweil Square
 8. St. Anna Hospital
 9. Riflemen Club
10. Basler Gate, Custom House, Oat Tower
11. Municipal Smith House
12. Jew Tower, Grain Store
13. Arsenal
14. Pfistergasse
15. Bruchgasse
16. Bruchtor, Gasse um den Burggraben (heute Hirschengraben)
17. Kesselturm
18. Ketzerturm (
19. Obergrundstrasse
20. Krienser Gate
21. Inn zum Schlüssel
22. Bartüssergasse und Platz
23. Barefooter (Franciscan) Abbey and Church
24. Schmiedgasse
25. Burger Gate, Krienbach (Creek) und Brüggli
26. Münzgasse (Mint Lane)
27. Heiliggeistspital und Kirche (Holy Ghose Hospital and Church)
28. Jesuitenkirche und Kollegium (Jesuit Church and Convent)
29. Jesuitengymnasium, Gasse und Platz (Jesuit Gymnasium)
30. Kropfgasse und Tor
31. Frauenturm (Women Tower)
32. Freienhof
33. Kapellbrücke mit Wasserturm (Chapel Bridge with Water Tower)
34. St. Peterskapelle (St. Peters Chapel)
35. Zurgilgenhaus und Turm (Zurgilgen House and Tower)
36. Wyghaus des Klosters Engelberg
37. Herberge der römischen Kaiser und der österreichischen Fürsten
38. Rat- und Richthaus, darunter Korn-, Kaufhaus und Ankenmarkt
39. Eggstiege
40. Haus der Gesellschaft zu Pfistern, darunter Obstmarkt
41. Haus der Gesellschaft zu Schneidern
42. Markt an der Fischerstatt
43. Haus der Gesellschaft zu Schützen und zu Fritschi, darunter Metzg
44. Reussbrücke und Reussgässli
45. Kramgasse mit der Apotheke (Kramgasse and Pharmacy / Pillory)
46. Fisch- oder Weinmarkt
47. Kornmarkt
48. Furrengasse
49. Kapellgasse und Platz
50. Sust und Kornhaus
51. Hoftor, Aufgang zur Hofbrücke
52. Vordere Ledergasse und Ledertor (heute Gerbergasse)
53. Hintere Ledergasse und Ledertor
54. Rosengartenturm
55. Gasse unter den Bäumen, Schwesternhaus (heute Sternenplatz)
56. Weggistor, lnneres Weggistor oder schwarzer Turm
57. Grabengasse
58. Graggentor
59. Neuer Platz
60. Alter Rossmarkt
61. Mühlenplatz
62. Mühlentor
63. Harnischer- und Poliererhaus
64. Spreuerbrücke mit Mühlen und Schleife
65. Roter Turm mit Lindentor (heute Nölliturm)
66. Männliturm
67. Luegisland
68. Wacht- oder Heuturm
69. Zeitturm
70, Schirmertor
71. Pulverturm
72. Allenwindenturm
73. Dächliturm
74. Ausseres Weggistor
75. Weggisgasse (heute Hertensteinstrasse)
76. Löwengraben
77. Cysathaus und Kapelle
78. Mariahilfgasse
79. Seegraben
80. Hoftor in der Vorstadt
81. Stift St. Leodegar und Mauritius
82. Propstei
83. Leutpriesterei
84. Hofschule
85. St. Leonhardskapelle und Beinhaus
86. Tor zum Kirchhof
87. Predigerstatt, Platz unter den Linden
88. Hofgasse in der Vorstadt
89. St. Antonius Kapelle
90. Heiliges Kreuz
91. Kapuzinerkloster
92. Dietschiberg
93. Road to Einsiedeln
94. Jesuiter-Baumgarten
95. Municipal Boat House

Another old map of Lucerne is the Schumacher Plan of 1790.

The Water Tower of the Chapel Bridge

Silvan Kaeser © ImagePoint.biz

ChapelBridge, WaterTower 1597

The Water Tower in Lucerne was built around 1300 as a watch tower. The wooden Chapel Bridge followed a few decades later. At that time Lucerne was in the hands of the Habsburgian.
The construction is octagonal. The tower is 34.5 m. high, its circumference is 38 m. and the walls are up to 4 m. thick.
The Water Tower is not accessible to the public for sightseeing.

Under the roof

Luzerner Schilling 129v

The tower has four floors. Today the top floor under the roof is used by the Ornithological Society for bird watching. In the Middle Ages that room was used to torture people in the context of embarrassing interrogations. During the french invasion (1798-1804) that room was also used as a prison for deserters.

Salon

On the second floor there is the salon of the artillery association. In former times the treasury chamber of the Republic of Lucerne was accommodated in this room.






Between the second and the first floor, there is a secret chamber, which was constructed after the robbery of the state treasury. The secret chamber was found empty after its re-discovery around 1900.

Weapon collection

On the first floor we have a collection of weapons of the artillery association. In the Middle Ages this room was used as a weapon and torture chamber.

Hole to the Dungeon

In the middle of the room there is a hole, which leads 6 m. into the depth, to the dungeon. The stone you see on the last image was used as a lid to close the dungeon. Prisoners were let down into the dungeon on a rope and then the stone lid was closed and prisoners remained in the dark. Through the small hole in the lid prisoners were given food.

Lid of the Dungeon

The conditions of inprisonment in the dungeon were very hard. That's why it served mainly as an investigation jail for shorter stays. Long-term prisoners were accommodated elsewhere, in one of the other 30 towers Lucerne had in the Middle Ages.

Hans of Trient, the unlucky stone mason

The story of what happened in Lucerne in May 1559.  It is about ...
- Hans von Trient the stone mason
- Lux Ritter, the major and mercenary leader
- The Ritterscher Palace in Lucerne


Before reading that please be informed that this is the story as it reads in the Wickiana by Johan Jakob Wick. Jakob Wick was a reformed Priest at the Grossmunster in Zurich. At that time Catholic Lucerne and Reformed Zurich were enemies and fought each other.
Nevertheless the Wickiana is a good and one of the only sources about Hans von Trient.

Ritterscher Palace and seat of the
government of the Canton Lucerne.

Schultheiss (mayor) Lux Ritter planned to build a huge palace. If god had not shorten his live and the house had not just been built up to a fathoms above the ground, there would be nothing comparable in the Confederation nor in the German nation.

Wherever Lux Ritter knew or heard of excellent craftsmen, he called them to work for him. So he also did not want to miss Hans von Trient, an outstanding stone mason.

Hans von Trient came to Lucerne to talk to Lux Ritter and to discuss the conditions. When everything seemed well Hans von Trient mentioned to Lux Ritter that he has another Religion and it could be dangerous for his live to come to catholic Lucerne. He said that he is forced to reject the offer.
Lux Ritter replied: Don’t worry. Be silent and don’t talk about your religion to others and no bad or disadvantage will happen to you.

So Hans agreed and they made a contract reading that he will get a salary consisting of:
- 4 crowns per week
- Eating and drinking at the table of Lux Ritter (!)
- Accommodation
- everything one needs for a daily life

Both were happy and Hans gladly started working.

Than it happened that Lux Ritter was called to arms by the French King. Lux told Hans to go ahead with the work, while he is away.

Lux needed someone to look after the house, since he had chased his wife off the house. So Lux asked Hans to look after the household during his absence. Lux Ritter offered to increase the salary by 2 crowns per week, for the time he is away.
Hans gladly agreed and continued his work. Lux went on to the Picardy war in France.

Lux came back 14 weeks later and the salary payment was due. At the same time the Musegg walls procession took place and a pastor from Hertenstein was in town. After the procession Lux Ritter invited the Pastor to have a meal. So Lux, the Priest and Hans had supper together.

When Lux had eaten and drunk well he started to provoke Hans.
He asked Hans to tell about his Religion. He also asked the priest to find out what kind of Religion Hans could have.
Hans said, that he is not here to dispute and that he has been promised to be left in freedom.
Lux Ritter got angry and after a good drink he said to the priest, that Hans has a heretical faith and that he does not confess and so on.
Afterwards Lux Ritter felt sorry, but he could not go back. He had to retain what he had said.

Then Hans von Trient got angry and asked for vacation and payment of the salary, which was due. Lux Ritter refused to pay the additional amount of 28 crowns arisen while he was away. Lux Ritter told Hans von Trient to be happy with what was agreed at the beginning. Hans von Trient did not want to hear anything like this and so they went to court.
(At that time the court and the council was the same)

When Hans had his claim on the council Lux Ritter stood up and accused him of being a heretic. Other council members nicely asked Lux Ritter to pay what is due and to let the craftsman go his way. But this was not meant to happen.

So the story went on. The council was forced to arrest Hans von Trient and to start investigations. Hans von Trient was put into prison in the Water Tower on the Chapel Bridge.

According to the Wickiana we (Lucerne) spread lies about Hans von Trient.
At the end Hans von Trient was found guilty and sentenced to death on Monday before White Sunday (in the year of 1559).

Hans praised the Lord and asked to bring new and pretty clothes to the Water Tower. And then he listened to the verdict nicely dressed in new clothes.

On the way to the execution place, passing by the house of Lux Ritter; Hans stood still, looked at the building and said:

Wickiana, Johann Jakob Wick

If I had not asked for what is mine
this would not have happened to me
Mayor Ritter is guilty of my death 
you will not finish this house
and in 3 days you will do likewise I do now

On the execution place the priests talked insistently to Hans von Trient but he did not listen to them.
Undaunted he looked around, kneed down, looked towards heaven and said:


Jesus of Nazareth
Have mercy on me
to your will I suffer this death

Then he stretched his head and it felt off.

Three days later Lux Ritter died. A strong fever overcame him.
He had eaten and drunk with no control.
and in his fullness and drunkenness he (and his boys) jumped into the cold water at the time of the early Mass.

Having come home he took a warm bath. After a while in the bathtub a strong fever overcame him and it looked like that he will die right away.
He became rigid and passed away seven hours later.

After his death Lux Ritter got fined by the council of Lucerne in the amont of 4 thousand crowns for having cut more wood than he was allowed to.


Wickiana (F12, 21-22a), Johann Jakob Wick.
Translated from old swiss german to english by Ralf Fioretti 26 August 2015.

The Nightwatchman's Google My Maps

URL: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1j8i12r-sBnkzkq0_UTe8yaJt9Go&ll=47.053294198989335%2C8.30368071697967&z=16

Does it make sense to buy the Lucerne Museum Card?

• Yes, if you are a museum buff.
• Yes, if you intend to visit the Swiss Museum of Transport and any other participating museum.
• No, if you do not intend to visit the Swiss Museum of Transport (You might be better off to buy single tickets). 

The Lucerne Museum Card costs CHF 36.- and is valid for a single entry in any number of the 8 participating Museums on two consecutive days.

Hereunder you find the prices for single tickets on the participating museums. Compare yourself.
in CHF Museum
32.- Swiss Museum of Transport
18.- Rosengart Collection
20.- Glacier Garden
15.- Museum of Art
12.- Bourbaki Panorama
10.- Richard Wagner Museum
10.- Historical Museum (german)
10.- Museum of Natural History (german)

More info: www.luzern.com/museum-card

updated: 31Aug21

Ritterscher Palace and the Dance of the Death

Long-distance bus routes to Lucerne

Since 6 April 2017, Lucerne has been connected to the Flixbus bus network. This allows low-cost bus travel from Germany directly to Lucerne and soon also from Italy.

Direct long-distance bus connections to Lucerne:
Freiburg - Lucerne (travel time 3:35hrs)
Karlsruhe - Lucerne (5:30hrs)
Heidelberg - Lucerne (6:10hrs)
Mannheim - Lucerne (6:35hrs)
Darmstadt - Lucerne (7:25hrs)
Frankfurt - Lucerne (8:05hrs)
Göttingen - Lucerne (11:05hrs)
Hannover - Lucerne (12:40hrs)
Hamburg - Lucerne (14:50hrs)
Kiel - Lucerne (16:40hrs)

Connecting bus routes to Lucerne:
Amsterdam - Lucerne
Cologne - Lucerne
Münster - Lucerne

New connections from summer 2017:
Stuttgart - Lucerne
Milan - Lucerne

The Nolliturm

"The Nölliturm" is the first tower of the Musegg wall and was painted by Joseph Clemens Kaufmann 1901 for the Corporation of the City of Lucerne. The picture shows the right bank of the river between Spreuerbrucke (the wooden mill bridge) and the Nolliturm around 1890.

The Nölliturm - Joseph Clemens Kaufmann - Wikimedia commons

The painter must have stood on the Spreuerbrucke in the corner, or directly below on the Reussinsel when he painted this art piece. In the center of the picture you see the Nolliturm Tower which was built between 1516 and 1519.

Have a look at the graceful young woman. Can you see how powerful she drives the boat? Isn't she beautiful? Might she be driving to her beloved?