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Historic monument · Lucerna, Lucerna
Kapellbrücke
Covered wooden bridge over the river Reuss, built around 1365, with 17th-century paintings on the ceiling and the octagonal Wasserturm tower beside it.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Kapellbrücke
The Kapellbrücke crosses the Reuss at the lake's outlet and links the Altstadt to the station side. It was built around 1365 as part of the city's defences and is today 204.7 m long, less than originally because the banks were infilled. The name comes from the Chapel of St. Peter, which stands at the tip of the right-hand bank.
Under the roof, triangular panels painted in the 17th century by Hans Heinrich Wägmann tell the history of Lucerne and its patron saints. In August 1993 a fire destroyed much of the bridge and about two thirds of the paintings. The structure was rebuilt and reopened in 1994; some burned panels remain on display.
The Wasserturm, an eight-sided stone tower 34.5 m high, is about 30 years older than the bridge. Over the centuries it served as a prison, torture chamber, archive and city treasury. It is not open to visitors.
The bridge is a thoroughfare for Lucerne residents and is crowded much of the day. The flower boxes along the sides usually appear in spring and the European summer.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
15 to 30 minutes to cross slowly and look at the paintings.
Best time
Early, just after sunrise, or at night when the bridge and the tower are lit and there are few people. The classic view, with the tower and Pilatus in the background, is from the Seebrücke or the quay in front of the Jesuitenkirche.
How to get there
It is about 300 m from Lucerne station. From the station, walk to the riverbank; the bridge starts nearby.
Tip
Cross the bridge and then walk along the riverbank to the Spreuerbrücke, downstream: the two covered bridges show different stages of the painting in Lucerne.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Kapellbrücke
How old is the Kapellbrücke?
It was built around 1365. After the 1993 fire, much of it was rebuilt and the bridge reopened in 1994.
Can you go inside the Wasserturm?
No. The tower is not open to visitors; it houses an association and a souvenir shop on the ground floor.
Are the paintings on the bridge original?
Some of them. The 1993 fire destroyed about two-thirds of the panels; some were restored and others still bear the marks of the fire.