Chapel Bridge
Kapellbrücke
Built in 1333, one of Europe's oldest wooden covered bridges. Together with the octagonal Water Tower, it forms Lucerne's most iconic landmark.
The Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) spans diagonally across the Reuss River at the lake outlet and is about 200 meters long. It was originally part of the city's defenses. Together with the octagonal Water Tower in the river (Wasserturm, once used as a prison, treasury and torture chamber), it forms Lucerne's symbol. The triangular beams under the bridge's roof hold 17th-century painted panels that recount Lucerne's history and the stories of its patron saints. In 1993, a fire destroyed much of the bridge and its paintings. After reconstruction, charred fragments of the paintings can still be seen.
Recommended route: first take a panoramic photo from the lakeshore (on the Swan Square side), then walk slowly across the bridge, looking up at the paintings. After crossing, follow the river downstream for about 5 minutes to the Spreuer Bridge (Spreuerbrücke), which has Dance of Death murals. Then continue into the old town to the Weinmarkt (Wine Square) and Kornmarkt (Grain Square) to see the painted facades.
Free and open all day. Getting there: turn right out of Lucerne railway station and walk about 3 minutes.
Note: early morning and evening see fewer people and better light, while daytime in peak season brings many tour groups. Smoking is prohibited on the bridge.
Opening hours
Open all day; free admission
Nearby sights
- Rosengart Collection
- Jesuit Church (Jesuitenkirche)
- Lucerne Old Town (Weinmarkt)
- Musegg Wall
- KKL Luzern & Kunstmuseum
- Spreuer Bridge
- Lucerne Lakeside Promenade (Nationalquai)
- Bourbaki Panorama