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Chapel Bridge
Luzern
Situated on the edge of a lake, with a striking alpine panorama as a backdrop, Luzern was a regular stop on the Grand Tour route of Europe during the Romantic era, and the ambiance from this age still lingers in some of its classic sights. Its cobbled center, even older, has winding lanes, medieval fountains, bright facades, and of course its famous wooden bridges. With several good museums and easy train and boat connections to excursions in the surrounding region, Luzern is a worthwhile stop in its own right, and a fine home base for exploring the heart of Switzerland.
At a Glance
Luzern at a Glance
▲▲ Lake Luzern Irregularly shaped lake at the very heart of Switzerland, traversed by vintage steamships and surrounded by steep hillsides, gravity-defying villages, and snowy peaks.
▲▲ Reuss River Stroll Orientation walk that leads past two historic wooden bridges and through the old town to a classic Luzern lakefront viewpoint.
▲ Rosengart Collection Easy-to-enjoy art museum displaying works from the late 19th and 20th centuries, with a focus on Pablo Picasso and Paul Klee.
▲ History Museum Wide-ranging and abundant collection of artifacts illustrating the city's history, housed in one of its oldest buildings.
▲ Lion Monument Enormous sculpture, carved into a cliff above a peaceful pond, that memorializes 600 Swiss Guards killed during the French Revolution.
▲ Swiss Transport Museum A "Swiss Smithsonian" filled with hands-on exhibits about all kinds of transportation.
Central Switzerland at a Glance
▲▲ Mount Pilatus Craggy mountain hunkering south of Luzern, with sublime views, luge ride, ropes course, and a range of hiking options.
▲ Fortress Fürigen Underground bunker southeast of Luzern giving you a peek at Switzerland's hidden WWII defense system.
▲ Mount Rigi Long ridge across the lake from (and east of) Luzern, famous for its sunrise vistas and Europe's first cogwheel train.
