Located in the geographical center of Switzerland, Andre Dumas called Lucerne a “pearl in the middle of the world’s most beautiful oyster.” The town is nestled between the Alps and the Swiss Plateau and sandwiched in the middle by the deep blue waters of Lake Lucerne. Local residents are quite proud of their lake that is enjoyed all year long and shared by paddle steamers, sailboats and water enthusiasts.
Lucerne, Switzerland
Lucerne is also the home of the #1 attraction in the country, the Swiss Museum of Transport. From its dramatic entrance featuring hundreds of wheels to its many modes of transportation exhibits, it’s not hard to see why this attraction has such a huge appeal.
The museum showcases the development of transportation through the years including road, rail and water as well as in the air and space. There are over 3,000 objects you can see with many interactive exhibits.
The Chapel Bridge is the oldest covered wooden bridge in Europe and one of the most visited sites in the country. Built in the 14th century, the Chapel Bridge was originally part of the defense system of the city of Lucerne. Mark Twain called this sculpture the “saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world.” He was talking about the Lion of Lucerne, a carving hewn out of natural rock ro honor the heroic death of Swiss guardsmen during the French Revolution.
The ride to the top of Mt. Pilatus is one of the most spectacular you will ever experience. The Golden Round Trip Pass includes your boat ride from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, up the cogwheel railway to the Pilatus Kulm peak. The grand finale of your trip includes an aerial cablecar gondola that gently glides you down along the spine of the mountains to the Lucerne, Switzerland town of Kerns where a short bus ride brings you back to Lucerne.
For more information, visit this Swizterland Website.
Ron Stern is the photojournalist for this column.