architecture in luzern

One is treated to a marvelous facade immediately after exiting the current railway station in Luzern (below). The facade is the only part of the original station (left) that is left standing after a fire broke out in February of 1971. It now serves as both a memorial to the old building and Luzern's version of a triumphal arch.

Right across the Reuss River sits the Hauptpost (main post office) of Luzern.

Connecting the two banks is the Kappellbrücke (Chapel Bridge). It is Europe's oldest bridge with a cover and Switzerland's most photographed landmark. The bridge was first constructed in 1333 to help protect Luzern from attacks. In 1993, large parts of the bridge burnt down but fortunately was reconstructed. The Wasserturm (Water Tower) is an octagonal brick tower that was formerly used as watchtower, treasury, torture chamber, and prison. Currently it is a guild hall used by the Artillery Association.

Luzern has predominantly been a Catholic town in a predominantly Protestant Switzerland and as a result, one can find this rare instance of a Catholic church. The Jesuitenkirche (Jesuit Church) was built in 1666 at the order of Christoph Volger and dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier. It is one of a few examples of architecture in Switzerland that is in the Baroque style.