Lucerne (German: Luzern) is a city in Central Switzerland with a population of 60,274 (31 December 2003), capital of the canton of Lucerne. The city is located on the borders of Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee) with a famous wooden bridge and within sight of Mount Pilatus and the Rigi.
Wasserturm - the town's landmark
There is apparently no record of the city's founding, but it is mentioned in 840 named "Luciaria", the name originating from a monastery of St Leodegar founded around 730. The opening of the St Gotthard Pass route in the 13th century made Lucerne into an important trading town. Acquired by the Hapsburgs in 1291, it joined the Swiss Confederation in 1332. Lucerne was capital of the Helvetian Republic in 1798.
Since the city straddles the Reuss River where it drains the lake, it has a number of bridges. The most famous is the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), a 204 m (670 ft) long wooden bridge originally built in 1333, although much of it had to be replaced after a 1993 fire. Partway across, the bridge runs by the octagonal Water Tower (Wasserturm), a fortification from the 13th century. The Bridge with its Tower is the city's most famous landmark.
The Culture and Convention Center Lucerne besides the lake in the center of the city was built by Jean Nouvel. The center has one of the worlds leading concert halls (Accustic: Russel Johnson). Every year in late summertime the very famous Lucerne Festival (classic music) takes place. Lucerne has hosted the Festival Rose d'Or in the spring since 2004.
It is one of the principal tourist centres of Switzerland, being situated on the St Gotthard railway line, by which it is 59 m.
In 1291 the Habsburgs finally purchased Lucerne from Murbach, an act that led a few weeks later to the foundation of the Swiss Confederation, of which Lucerne became the fourth member (the first town to be included) in 1332.
Under the Helvetic republic (1798-1803) Lucerne was the seat of the central government, under the Act of Mediation (1803-1814) one of the six "Directorial" cantons and from 1815 to 1848 one of the three ruling cantons.
Feeds |
Contact