Nightwatchman Walk

Public and private city sightseeing theme walk focussing on medieval Lucerne and the Swiss Confederation from the 12th to the 18th century.

Martiniplan
The Martini Plan of 1597
The Nightwatchman Walk starts right after sunset.


Highlights
- The attractions of the historic city centre
- Lucerne in the middle ages
- Medieval law and order
- The Dance of Death by Jakob von Wyl
- Pictures presented on Postcards, iPad and Projector



Private Tours 

Available almost daily after sunset.
Meeting point: At Rosengart Platz, this is next to the wooden Chapel Bridge on the right hand river side.
CHF 250.- Private Tour (up to 10 Persons)
CHF  10.- Each additional Person
CHF  50.- Supplement for Hotel pick-up (historical city limit, on request)








Public Nightwatchman Walks for Individual Travellers

Tuesdays after sunset from April to October.
Meeting point: At Rosengart Platz, this is next to the wooden Chapel Bridge on the right hand river side.
CHF 30.- for Adults (from 20)
CHF 20.- for Youths (13-19).
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts.



Other ways to book
Kindly contact us by e-mail to info@citytrip.ch and advise date, time and number of participants. Confirmation will follow by return and you will pay cash on spot.
In addition you are free to book with the Lucerne Tourist Office, Viator/Tripadvisor, GetYourGuide, Expedia, Musement etc. with immediate confirmation.

Meeting Point
Rosengartplatz on Rathausquai. This is next to the wooden Chapel Bridge, on the right-hand riverside.
View it on google maps

Starting Times
The Nightwatchman Walk starts right after sunset.
The starting times are as follows:
01 - 11 April 8:30pm
12 - 30 April 9pm
01 May - 11 August: 9:30pm
12 - 31 August: 9pm
01 - 12 September: 8:30pm
13 - 30 September: 8pm
01 - 14 October: 7:30pm
15 - 31 October: 7pm

Things to know
The duration of  the tour is 90 minutes in summer and 60 minutes in winter.
The covered walking distance is 1.6 km which is approx. 1 mile.
The tour is wheelchair accessible.
Please wear comfortable footwear, as most of the route is cobblestoned.
The tour takes place in all weather. Please dress appropriate and/or bring an umbrella.

Inclusions
Walking Tour with english speaking, medievally dressed Local Guide and media presentation.

Exclusions
Transfers to/from Meeting point.

Description
The tour starts with the fire horn followed by the Nightwatchman call. Here you go. Nightwatchman Ralf introduces himself and tells you about his live in the middle ages.

You see the Martiniplan, a 400 years old city map and you hear from Martin Martini the genius copper engraver, counterfeiter and loudmouth. The Night Watchman shows you tonight's walking route on the Martini map. He also tells you about the main city buildings and the fortification of Old Lucerne. You will discover that many of the buildings have been well kept over the centuries and still attract the Lucerne visitor of today.

Kapellbruecke_1897
The Kapellbrücke, 1897
The most photographed attraction in Switzerland is the Water Tower, which was built a few decades before the wooden Chapel Bridge.
You get to know about the inside of the Water Tower and the torture chamber.




The Toggeli (The Nightmare)
A few steps around the corner, you hear about living in the blooming Republic of Lucerne.
Walking through the Furrengasse you learn about its Ghost and the Toggelis around him.

On Kornmarkt you see the Lucerne Foot and Elle on the wall of the Town Hall. You hear the story of the "Giant of Reiden".


Riot_of_Lucerne
The Riot of Lucerne
In the Brandgässli Alley you get to know about the Riot of Lucerne before you reach the lower wine market, where once the pillory was located.

You continue to the Zöpfli, where the Nightwatchman introduces you to medieval law and order. Learn about medieval prosecution, interrogation methods, corporal punishment and death penalties.

Then you cross the Reussbrücke, pass the house of the "Swiss King", walk by the former pawn shop and the mint house to the Alte Suidtersche Apotheke. There you see the window of the medieval pharmacy.

A few steps further you see the legendary house of Lux Ritter and you may ask yourself why the first two floors look different than the third floor. The Nightwatchman knows. Listen to the story of the unlucky mason of Hans von Trient, also known as Giovanni Lynzo.

One of tonight's highlight is the Dance of Death, an art piece of seven paintings created by Jakob von Wyl. See the pictures and listen to what the Nightwatchman has to tell you about it.

Dance_of_the_Dead_Jacob_von_Wyl
The Dance of Dead by Jacob von Wyl, Panel 2.
You continue upriver and pass the Jesuitenkirche. You see the town hall from another point of view, while the Night Watchman tells you about the special feature on the architecture of that Renaissance building.
You cross the Chapel Bridge to the starting point, where the tour ends.