Lucerne – Christmas in Europe

Lucerne was already known as the city of bridges back in the Middle Ages and by 1400 it was the only European city to boast of four bridges.  This morning we headed for the Chapel Bridge which was constructed in first half of the 14th century as a part of the city’s fortifications and named after the nearby St. Peter’s Chapel.  Look up towards the roof and you’ll see panels of paintings that were added in the 17th century to illustrate scenes of Swiss and local history, including the biographies of the city’s patron saints, St. Leodegar and St. Maurice.  Next to the bridge is the landmark octagonal Water Tower which was built around 1300 as part of the city wall and used as an archive, treasury, prison and torture chamber. If you’re able to join a guided tour, you’ll be able to learn more about what it was like to be incarcerated in the dungeons of the Water Tower in the Middle Ages and then be led to the gallows.  It was biting cold this morning, but the visit to the Chapel Bridge was certainly worthwhile.

Helen