Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), Lucerne

The bridge is, for most people, the principal sight of Lucerne and rightly so - this is one of Europe's most interesting and attractive bridges. The fire of 1993 which destroyed many of the historic paintings represented a major loss for Switzerland and Europe as a whole. Nevertheless, the successful restoration and reconstruction has returned the Kapellbrücke to where it belongs among the sights of Switzerland which one really should see. The picture of one of the bridge paintings was taken in 1988 and is, perhaps, an interesting comparison for visitors of how the restoration work matches up to the original paintings.

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The Chapel bridge of Lucerne is another very famous and historic Swiss landmark and for sure a very good reason to go to Lucerne. Originally called the Kapellbrücke, located just in front of the main station in Lucerne, the oldest wooden bridge in Switzerland, dating back to the 14th century, which is covered and running diagonally across the Reuss river.

Beside the bridge is the octagonal water tower which is said to have served as many things from a prison to a treasury.

We arrived in Lucerne at about 11:30 a.m. for the last day of our almost 2 week holiday in Europe. After an easy walk from the train station to our hotel we started our venture through town. After a walk through parts of the old town we came back to our hotel, walked out the back door and lo and behold the famous bridge was literally just a hop, skip and jump away.

I won't go into the history of the bridge here, since it has been well covered by others here on VT. I will give you one impression though. As we were crossing the bridge from the entrance you see here to the other side an elderly gentlemen with a long white beard lay asleep on one of the long benches inside the bridge. As we passed I overhead a little girl in German say what I think I interpretted as that St. Nick (Santa Claus) was napping on the bridge. I looked at a video I took of the scene and indeed he could have been mistaken for a resting St. Nick.

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Kapellbrücke or Chapel Bridge is probably one of the most famous Swiss landmark.
It was constructed over the Reuss River in the first half of the XIVth century as part of the city fortufucations and remains the oldest wooden bridge in Europe. Named after nearby St. Peter's chapel. The paintings that were added in the XVIIth century illustrate scenes of Swiss and local history including the biographies of the city's patron Saints Leodegar and Mauritius.

This Swiss heritage was heavily destroyed by a dramatic fire in 1993. Swiss population was deeply affected by this disaster and after an impressive national collect to rise fund. The bridge was quicky rebuilt in only 8 months but 78 of the initial 111 paintings were irreparably damaged.

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In addition to the Lion Monument, the Chapel Bridge is also a Lucerne highlight and you can't miss it (it's right on the river). Built in 1333 to ward off enemy attacks, the landmark is the oldest wooden bridge in Europe. Inside the bridge are a series of paintings from the 17th century depicting events from Lucerne's history. A 1993 fire destroyed much of the bridge, but it was quickly rebuilt. The bridge is 670 feet in length and spans the width of the Reuss River. Adjoining the bridge is the octagonal Water Tower (Wasserturm), which stands 140 feet tall and has served as a prison, torture chamber, watchtower, and treasury.

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The Kapellbrücke, "Chapel Bridge"
in German, is a 204 m (670 ft) long
bridge crossing the Reuss River in
the city of Lucerne in Switzerland.

It is the oldest wooden bridge in
Europe, and one of Switzerland's main
tourist attractions.

The covered bridge, constructed in 1333,
was designed to helpprotect the city of
Lucerne from attacks. Inside the bridge
are a series of paintings from the 17th
century depicting events from Luzern's history.

Adjoining the bridge is the 140 feet tall Wasserturm
(Water Tower), an octagonal tower made from brick,
which has served as a prison,torture chamber,
watchtower and treasury.

Today the tower, which is part of the city wall, is used
as the guild hall of the artillery association. The tower
and the bridge are Lucerne's trademark and form the
most photographed monument in the country.

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The Kapellbrücke, "Chapel Bridge"
in German, is a 204 m (670 ft) long
bridge crossing the Reuss River in
the city of Lucerne in Switzerland.

It is the oldest wooden bridge in
Europe, and one of Switzerland's main
tourist attractions.

The covered bridge, constructed in 1333,
was designed to helpprotect the city of
Lucerne from attacks. Inside the bridge
are a series of paintings from the 17th
century depicting events from Luzern's history.

Adjoining the bridge is the 140 feet tall Wasserturm
(Water Tower), an octagonal tower made from brick,
which has served as a prison,torture chamber,
watchtower and treasury.

Today the tower, which is part of the city wall, is used
as the guild hall of the artillery association. The tower
and the bridge are Lucerne's trademark and form the
most photographed monument in the country.

1 more image

Chapel Bridge is the more famous of two crossing the river. Its name derived from the St. Peters church being across the river and directly connected by the bridge to the other side. It was built in 1333 and is 670 feet long.The fame part is not only the angle bridge, but the paintings over the trusses. Due to the fire in 1993, there were about 60 paintings of 111 at the roof of the bridge destroyed. It is alleged the fire was part of a protest by some group and it burned over 1/3 of the bridge. They are now almost all reconstructed/redone in the original theme from old artifact scetches to trace by.
I believe the other bridge as as impressive, called the Spreuer bridge. It was built 80 years after the first, and it is more well preserved, and more medieval feeling. The paintings along the trusses are more morbid, as intended because they are depicting black death. The artist conveyed that no one is immune from death, and ties it to the black plague of the 1500's that killed 2/3 of Europe population. The spire tower hanging over the river is a small chapel and you need to squeeze by in heavy traffic. The river flow is very impressive here because of its swiftness.