Chapel Bridge. 🌉
Built in 1333. It zig-zags diagonally across the river to connect the old town on the right bank with the new town on the left.
The Flowers
In spring and summer, the bridge is lined with thousands of geraniums. It creates a ribbon of red and pink against the dark wood.
The Fire
In 1993, a cigarette butt started a fire that destroyed two-thirds of the bridge. It was rebuilt in record time (8 months) using traditional methods.
History in the Rafters. 🎨
Walk slowly. Under the roof, you will see triangular paintings (gable paintings). They depict the history of Lucerne and the lives of its patron saints, St. Leodegar and St. Maurice.
The Survivors
Originally there were 158 panels. Only 30 were fully restored after the fire. Look for the charred black edges on some—they are scars of history.
Political Art
They were not just decoration; they were propaganda. They were designed to remind citizens of the city's power and Catholic devotion during the Counter-Reformation.
The Water Tower
The bridge wraps around the Wasserturm. It has walls 3 meters thick. It was never a water tower (for storage), but a defense tower standing *in* the water.
Memento Mori
Death Conquers All
Spreuer Bridge. 🌑
Further downriver lies the second, darker wooden bridge. It is older in spirit, less crowded, and features a chilling art cycle: The Dance of Death.
Danse Macabre:
Look up. The panels here show Death (a skeleton) coming for everyone—the Pope, the Emperor, the merchant, and the child. It is a medieval reminder that no one escapes the grave.
Weinmarkt Squares. 🏘️
Step off the bridges into the traffic-free Old Town. The buildings here are not just colorful; they are painted canvases.
Hotel des Balances
The façade is covered in elaborate frescoes. It was once the Guild Hall. It sits right on the river, making it one of the most photogenic spots in the city.
Fountain of St. George
In the center of the Weinmarkt stands a Gothic fountain depicting St. George slaying the dragon. The water is drinkable—it's pure Swiss spring water.