A short visit to the City of Luzern: A few Impressions

Wednesday April 13, 2022 -- I had some business to attend to in Luzern, and as it was a nice day, I took my camera along.

I had a quick look into the St.Paul Church (not in the main old-town area) and then walked around the Reuss riverfront where most of the tourists are. Mainly I wanted to look inside the fabulous Baroque Jesuit Church, a dominant landmark on the riverfront, and one I have seen often from the outside but not yet from inside. Furthermore, I have always found the painted houses marvelous, so had a quick look at those as well.

Luzern is a city I visit often, and we have done several other "viewings" i.e. of the paintings inside the wooden covered bridges or walking along the city walls. Those photos would have to be dug out from my computer back-ups...

Some facts:

St.Paul Catholic Church: Built in 1912 on the Southwest side of the city, this is one of the two large churches in Luzern. After the Reformation, this was the first newly-built catholic church in 250 years. It is a cultural monument of national importance. Mostly the art/architecture is "Art Nouveau"

Church of the Jesuits: Was the first large Baroque building in Switzerland. Construction began in 1666 and took 11 years to build. Its purpose was both for spiritual work of the Jesuits, as well as a local school.

PART I:  The Jesuit Baroque Church in Luzern (1677). The artwork is incredible. 

The Jesuit Church as seen from the right bank of the Reuss River . This is a much-photographed angle!

Date on the façade reads 1667

PART II: The tourist section of Luzern, near the Reuss River, between the four bridges:

Directly in front of the Jesuit Church, looking toward the Gütsch Castle. From here I crossed that bridge to the right side of the Reuss River

Crossing the Reuss River

A look upriver in the direction of the Lake and the Chapel Bridge. Mt. Rigi in the background

Two of the towers on the old city wall, and the Spreuer Bridge on the left (it has the renowned paintings of the "Dance of Death", created 1616 to 1637)

There are many fabulously painted façades in this part of the old city

Crossing back to the left bank of the Reuss River, with another look at the Jesuit Church

Another look at the "Hotel Château Gütsch"

The most famous bridge in the area: The Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), built in the 14th Century. Adorned with paintings in the 17th Century, depicting city life. In 1993 a fire destroyed 83 of the 111 paintings.

The tower on the Chapel Bridge served as dungeon and Treasury Vault. 

A fantastic offering of hand-made Easter chocolates from a local bakery

And here are a couple of photos from 2018:

PART III: St.Paul Church, 1912. Neu-Gothic / Art Nouveau