Bridge sights in Lucerne
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Kapellbrücke
Crossing the Reuss River in the Old Town, this bridge is Lucerne's most potent symbol. It dates from the 14th century and the octagonal water tower remains original. However its sides and gabled roof are modern reconstructions, rebuilt after a disastrous fire in 1993.
The bridge is famous for the triangular, painted roof panels that line its ceiling, created by Heinrich Wägmann in 1614 and depicting important events from Swiss history and mythology. Fortunately, some 30 of these were also rescued from the blaze and have been replaced at either end of the bridge. Gaps between them have been retained as a constant reminder of the loss of others.
reviewed
-
B
Spreuer Bridge
After fire destroyed the Kapellbrücke, the wooden Spreuer Bridge (Spreuerbrücke), zigzagging across the Reuss, became Lucerne's oldest bridge. It was built in 1407 and its 17th-century roof paintings remain intact, detailing 56 movie-storyboard-style scenes by Caspar Meglinger, called The Dance of Death.
In each scene Death may change his garb but his mocking smile never wavers as he shows no mercy to the painted facsimiles of priests, nuns, warriors, royalty, academics, the hunter, the young bride, and even the artist himself.
reviewed
