A long weekend in Lucerne – PART II

Hello my dear readers,

I hope that you enjoyed the previous post “A long weekend in Lucerne – PART I”. Here is part II.

I wish you a wonderful weekend to come.

Stay tuned for my review of a boutique hotel designed by the great French architect Jean Nouvel.

RAILWAY STATION

Following the fire in 1971, the entire railway station was rebuilt between 1984 and 1991. The transparent entrance hall of the new station, with its elegant curved roof was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The main portal of the former station, which survived the fire, now stands as an impressive arch in the middle of the square in front of the station.

A wonderful address for those with sweet tooth – Bachmann, House of Chocolate – here you can have a gorgeous cake or a nice snack. And why not buy the most exquisite chocolates to offer as a souvenir?

We took a box of Red Velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting away with us. This was the first time I have ever tasted a Red Velvet cake…a gorgeous red colour, moist and fluffy and topped with luscious cream…I’m conquered!!

SPREUER BRIDGE

This bridge was completed as a part of the city fortification in 1408. It is called the Spreuer Bridge because this was the only place that the chaff from wheat could be dumped into the river.

WATER SPIKE

This is for the regulation of the water level. The so-called “spikes” are lowered into or withdrawn from the water manually to regulate the water level of Lake Lucerne.

JESUIT CHURCH

The first large Baroque church in Switzerland; constructed in 1666 by Father Christoph Vogler for the Jesuits.

MUSEGG WALL

Nine Towers. A part of the rampart walls built in 1386; the wall is still almost entirely intact. Four towers are open to the public: Schirmer, Zyt, Wacht and Männli.

The oldest city clock, built by Hans Luter in 1535, is in the Zyt tower. This clock is allowed to chime every hour one minute before all the other city clocks.

CHUCH OF ST. LEODEGAR

This church was one of the few built north of the Alps during the “Thirty Years War” and one of the largest and art history rich churches of the German late renaissance period.

LAKE LUCERNE

Lake Lucerne (434 m above sea level) is fascinating due to its picturesque landscape and historical sites. 20 boats - 5 of which are nostalgic paddle-steamers - enable you to take round trips and offer endless possibilities for excursions which can also be combined with mountain railways along the lake.

Carl Spitteler was a Swiss poet who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1919. His work includes both pessimistic and heroic poems.

Tourist information was partially sourced from:  www.luzern.com

A long weekend in Lucerne – PART I

Hello ladies and gents!

I hope you are well. I am happy because the days are lengthening and getting warmer which is ideal for long walks in my beautiful city and lovely getaways around the country.

In April, we went on a long weekend to Lucerne and I thought of documenting our stay.

Lucerne is a city of superlatives. It is therefore not surprising that it is in the top 20 of the world’s best cities. I am a lover of this splendid town, which is known as the city of water. Water is everywhere, lake, fountains, streams…

The secret of its beauty is an azure lake ringed by mountains, a well-preserved medieval Old Town, a reputation for making beautiful folk music, a breath-taking covered bridge, sunny squares, candy-coloured houses, waterfront promenades, gorgeous hotels and restaurants and a great ambiance due to its welcoming locals.

Lucerne is simply stunning - if you haven’t visited yet, add it to your list of “must visit” places in Switzerland. You can come here in any season of the year because this city shines and there is a certain magic in the air.

Without further ado, here is my album specially made to whet your appetite.

Stay tuned for PART II and my review of a boutique hotel designed by the great French architect Jean Nouvel.

WATER IS EVERYWHERE…

We started our weekend with a simple but nice lunch at Valentino Pizzeria (Metzgerrainle 3)

CHAPEL BRIDGE

Constructed in first half of the 14th century as part of the city’s fortifications. The paintings that were added in the 17th century illustrate scenes of Swiss and local history, including the biographies of the city’s patron saints.

WATER TOWER

This octagonal tower - over 34 meters high - was built around 1300 as part of the city wall and has been used as an archive, treasury, prison and torture chamber. It is Lucerne’s landmark and the most frequently photographed monument in Switzerland.

LION MONUMENT

“The dying Lion of Lucerne” is one of the world’s most famous monuments and one of the saddest and most moving pieces of rock in the world. It was carved out of natural rock in memory of the heroic deaths of the Swiss mercenaries at the Tuileries in 1792.

OLD CITY SQUARES

Weinmarkt, Hischenplatz, Kornmarkt, Kapellplatz

Beautiful fountains...historical buildings clad in frescos border the Old Town on the right bank of the River Reuss in a few picturesque squares.

FACADES TELL STORIES

Weinmarkt, Hischenplatz, Kornmarkt, Kapellplatz

Beautiful façades fascinate with their stories of magic and customs, trade and guilds.

Stroll along the houses with an alert eye and become acquainted with the artists and their works.

TOWN HALL

Built between 1602 and 1606 by Anton Isenmann in the Italian Renaissance style and covered with an overhanging roof. The open arcades facing the Reuss are still used today as a weekly marketplace.

KKL LUZERN

The Culture and Convention Centre Lucerne at Europaplatz is the work of the Parisian architect Jean Nouvel. The concert hall (1800 seats) is one of the finest concert halls in the world. The Lucerne Hall, the Convention Centre with the auditorium, and the Museum of Art - the fourth largest in Switzerland - are also part of this sensational construction.

Tourist information was partially sourced from:  www.luzern.com