Lucerne Stories & Travel Tips by the Night Watchman

Best things to Do in Lucerne in the Evening

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 17:04:20 GMT

Looking for the best things to do in Lucerne in the evening?

On this page, you’ll find hand-picked local tips, unique experiences, and memorable activities.

�� Explore more things to do in Lucerne

Lucerne is beautiful during the day. Visitors walk across the famous wooden bridges, explore the Old Town, shop in the city center, and enjoy the lake and mountain views. But Lucerne in the evening feels very different.

When the shops close and the streets become quieter, the city shows a more personal side. The historic lanes, painted facades, bridges, and towers feel more atmospheric after sunset. For many visitors, this is one of the best times to experience Lucerne .

If you are wondering what to do in Lucerne in the evening , this guide shares the best options for first-time visitors, couples, and travelers looking for a special experience.

Why Lucerne Is Worth Exploring in the Evening

Many tourists only see Lucerne during the day. That is a mistake.

In the evening, the city feels calmer, more local, and more authentic. You can enjoy the Old Town without the crowds, take in the lights along the river, and discover hidden corners.

Lucerne is not a party city. Instead, it is perfect for a relaxed, scenic, and memorable evening.

Take a Night Watchman Tour in Lucerne’s Old Town

One of the best evening activities in Lucerne is a guided city tour through the old town , where the Night Watchman shares stories of medieval life, crime, and mystery. Instead of just facts, you get stories, atmosphere, and a real feeling for the past. In earlier times, night watchmen walked the streets, called out the hours, and warned about fires. Nights were dangerous—not romantic.

On this tour, you may hear about:

the life of night watchmen
ghosts and legends
crime and punishment
death and medieval beliefs

Tip: Public tours are usually offered on Tuesdays, while private tours are available almost every day.

More Things to Do in Lucerne in the Evening

Enjoy a spooky and fun ghost walk with local stories and legends.
Historical guided tours by Roman aka Vogt Gessler
A sunset cruise on Lake Lucerne is one of the most beautiful evening experiences.
See the city in a relaxed way with an eTukTuk ride .

Visit the Mountains in the evening

Lucerne’s mountains are also perfect for a visit in the late afternoon and evening:

Mount Rigi – great sunset views
Mount Pilatus – perfect for late afternoon trips
Stanserhorn – open late in summer on the Weekends

This is one of the most unique experiences near Lucerne .

Take an Easy Evening Walk

A simple walk can be one of the best things to do:

Walk along the river
Cross the wooden bridges
Explore the Old Town
Stop for a drink

Where to Go for a Drink

La Bonne Cave – wine
Bierliebe – beer
Pickwick Pub – classic pub
Starbucks – coffee

My Personal Tip

Visit Spreuer Bridge (Mill Bridge) at night.

The famous Dance of Death paintings are illuminated and much more impressive than during the day.

Final Thoughts

There are many great things to do in Lucerne in the evening .

Night Watchman Tour
Ghost Walk
Sunset Cruise
Mountain Trip
Evening Walk

Lucerne becomes even more special after sunset.

Lake Lucerne Cruise with a Paddle Steamer

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 12:42:47 GMT

Why a Steamship Ride is Special

A cruise on Lake Lucerne is already beautiful — but taking a historic paddle steamer makes it unforgettable.

These ships are over 100 years old. Inside, you can look into the engine room and watch the original steam engine in action — moving pistons, rotating wheels, real mechanical power. It’s not just transport, it’s living history.

How to Find Paddle Steamer Connections

The tricky part: regular timetables don’t clearly show which ship is used.

What you need to know

The fleet of the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company has 19 ships, but only 5 are steamers (marked DS )
Steamships usually don’t run early morning (they need time to heat up)
Steamships often operate on the Lucerne–Flüelen route (popular for Mount Rigi excursion)
DS Unterwalden operates the Lucerne-Alpnachstad route (used for Mount Pilatus excursion)
Steamships generally do not operate in Winter

Best ways to find the Steamer Connections

1. Use the detailed timetable (recommended)
�� https://www.lakelucerne.ch/de/informationen/fahrplan-schiffseinsaetze/
The timetable is in German but self-explanatory. Choose a date to see all services. Click on a blue bar to view the route details.

2. Use the SBB Mobile app (official travel app of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB AG), best public transport app)
Check connection details — steamships are labeled DS .

Practical Tips for Your Cruise

Flexible stopovers (hop-on hop-off)

With a regular ticket for a scheduled boat, you can interrupt your journey as often as you like on the same day.

That means you can get off in places like Weggis, Vitznau, Beckenried or Brunnen , explore for a while, and then continue later with the next scheduled boat. This makes it easy to turn your cruise into a flexible hop-on-hop-off day trip.

1st and 2nd class on board

There are two classes on all scheduled boats:

2nd class : usually located on the main deck
1st class : usually on the upper deck with a better view and more space

If you have a 2nd class ticket and it gets crowded, you can upgrade to 1st class directly on board by paying the difference to the conductor.

Seat reservations

There is no seat reservation system for regular passengers or groups.

However, you can reserve a table in the onboard restaurant . If you do that, you effectively have a guaranteed seat for the duration of your meal — which can be a nice workaround on busy days.

Featured Steamship: DS Unterwalden

The DS Unterwalden (built 1902) is truly unique.

Over 120 years old
Powered by a classic steam engine
Today heated with oil (formerly coal)

�� Special feature:
It can lower its chimney, horns, and wheelhouse to pass under the Acheregg bridge — something you won’t see anywhere else.

The DS Unterwalden is the only Steamer which can do the Lucerne-Alpnachstad route (part of Pilatus Golden Round Trip).

Things to Do in Lucerne – Best Attractions and Tips

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 01:54:10 GMT

What are the best things to do in Lucerne?

Lucerne is famous for its beautiful city, lake, and mountains. These are the main attractions every visitor should see.

Most visitors stay 2-3 nights in Lucerne. During this time, they usually:

Take a mountain excursion
Enjoy a Lake Lucerne cruise
Visit the Old Town and explore highlights such as the historic center, the Musegg Wall with its towers, and the Lion Monument.

What are the best mountain excursions from Lucerne?

All mountain trips around Lucerne are beautiful. Many can also be combined with a lake cruise.

 Editor’s choice: Mount Pilatus
It is Lucerne’s “home mountain” and an ideal excursion if you only have half a day.

Mount Pilatus – the mystical one with the steepest cogwheel railway in the world
Mount Rigi – the Queen of the Mountains, home to Europe’s oldest cogwheel railway
Mount Titlis – snow and glaciers all year round
Stanserhorn – unique open-top cable car experience

Jungfrau is one of the best mountain trips in Switzerland. However, it is not close to Lucerne.

Travel time: at least 10 hours
A significant portion of the day is spent getting there and back.

Still, if Jungfrau is your dream, it is worth it.

Most mountain tours can be done independently or booked with a tour operator.
One of the leading providers for tours from Lucerne is Best of Switzerland Tours .

Lucerne offers many types of city tours:

Public or private tours
Classic or themed tours (medieval, night tours )
Free walking tours
Special interest tours

No, there is no true hop-on hop-off service in Lucerne. Even though many websites online claim otherwise, Lucerne does not offer a real hop-on hop-off bus system. There is a City Train available, but it does not allow passengers to get on and off freely at different stops.

Are there regular city bus tours?

Yes, there is the Lucerne City Train, which offers a regular sightseeing tour through the city.

I don’t want to walk much. Are there tours without walking?

Yes, Lucerne offers some very special tours.

One of the most unique experiences is a Lucerne night walking tour with the Night Watchman , where history comes to life after dark.

Other great experiences: The Lucerne Ghost Walk and Historical Guided Tours

There are many cruises on Lake Lucerne, from simple boats to luxury experiences.

Editor’s tip: Check the schedule for paddle steamers – they are very special.

Another recommendable Lake Lucerne Cruise is the Saphir Cruise

Duration: about 1 hour
Affordable and relaxing
Audio guide on your phone

Final Thoughts

This is just a small selection of the many amazing things to do in Lucerne—but it is a perfect start to plan your visit and enjoy the best of this beautiful Swiss city.

Lucerne in Pictures: The Gates to the Hof Bridge and the Boat Landing - Xaver Schwegler

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 23:54:26 GMT

The painting “The Gates to the Hof Bridge and the Boat Landing” by Xaver Schwegler (1832–1902) shows the view from the lower Kapellplatz toward the lake, the way this place looked around 1834 . Schwegler painted the picture around 1900 , using a drawing by his father Jakob Schwegler , who had seen the scene himself.

On the right side of the painting is the Zur Gilgen House . Next to it is part of the old city wall with two gateways :

The left gateway , with a pointed arch, leads to the Hof Bridge .
The right gateway , with a round arch, leads to the boat landing . Through this round arch you can see Mount Rigi in the background.

A small bridge keeper’s hut stands directly against the city wall. The bridge keeper leans out of the window and talks to a farmer with his dog. The dog looks toward the Hof Bridge — guiding the viewer’s eye to a well-dressed gentleman and a boy with a hoop who are standing on the bridge.

In the foreground, an elegantly dressed Biedermeier couple is walking into the city. On the far left, a street seller offers his goods to a maid standing in a doorway. Altogether, the painting gives a lively impression of everyday life in Lucerne at that time.

The painting was created for the Korporationsgemeinde Luzern . Although Xaver Schwegler painted it around 1900, it shows the situation in 1834 , based on his father’s drawing. In this way, the picture combines personal memory with historical documentation .

Around this time, Lucerne was changing and beginning to develop as a tourist destination . The Hof Bridge was demolished, and the Hotel Schwanen — the first hotel directly on the lake — was opened.

So Schwegler’s painting preserves a moment between the Middle Ages and modern times : the old walls and gates are still there, but the coming changes can already be felt.

Source: Michael Riedler: Idyllisches Luzern (1987), published by the Korporation Luzern. The painting content is public domain.

The House "Zur Gilgen" and its Gothic Round Tower

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 23:23:01 GMT

When you stand at Schwanenplatz in Lucerne, you will notice a special building right away: the house “Zur Gilgen” with its gothic round tower. It stands at Kapellplatz 1 , between the River Reuss and Schwanenplatz — right in the heart of the old town.

A medieval tower becomes a stone house

Long ago, a wooden defence tower stood here as part of Lucerne’s city walls. After it burned down around 1500, Melchior zur Gilgen built today’s stone house and tower between 1507 and 1510. It is the oldest surviving stone house in Lucerne .

Melchior Zur Gilgen was a soldier, military leader, and diplomat. He died of malaria in 1519 on his way home from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was buried on Rhodes.

The House zur Gilgen and its Gothic round tower are among the many fascinating places that reveal Lucerne’s medieval past. If you want to experience these stories in a more immersive way, consider joining a Night Watchman Tour in Lucerne , where such locations come to life after dark.

Special features of the building

The house is built in the late Gothic style . Many details once had a practical use:

Stepped gable
A tall roof wall that helped stop the spread of fires.
Gothic windows
Decorative grouped windows shaping the façade.
Gun slits in the tower
The wide openings at the bottom are firing slits. They were built for early firearms. The reason they are so low today is simple: the tower once stood directly at the water of the Reuss River. From there, the guards could shoot low across the river to hit attacking boats at the waterline.
Chapel inside the tower
With a beautiful Gothic vaulted ceiling.
Very steep roofs
Typical for Gothic architecture — symbolically “pointing to heaven.”

The house also contains the oldest private library in Switzerland still preserved in its original location.

Changing times

Over the centuries, the building had many uses:

1732: renovated in Baroque style
1830–1836: residence of the Pope’s ambassador
Later: a guesthouse — even Victor Hugo stayed here

For many generations, the house was kept inside the zur Gilgen family through a special legal tradition.

Today

Since 2013, the building belongs to the Foundation “Haus und Turm Gilgen.” This helps preserve the house for the future — and one day it may be opened to the public.

Details on the tower

Roman Twin window (biforium):
Gives the tower an elegant, historic look and shows it was also used for living.
Gun slits:
The wide openings at the bottom are firing slits. They were built for early firearms.
The reason they are so low today is simple: the tower once stood directly at the water of the Reuss River. From there, the guards could shoot low across the river to hit attacking boats at the waterline.
Stone-lifting marks:
Small holes show where lifting tools held the heavy stones.

Places like this are part of what makes a Lucerne night tour so special. Walking through the old town after dark, guided by the Night Watchman, brings these stories to life in a way you simply can’t experience during the day.

Above the entrance, you can see the Zur Gilgen family coat of arms , decorated with two female figures.

Sources (all in German)

Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (HLS):
“Zur Gilgen, Melchior.” https://hls-dhs-dss.ch/de/articles/014132/2014-02-24/
“Zur Gilgen (Family).” https://hls-dhs-dss.ch/articles/022219/2015-11-17/

Christian Hodel: “Fehlende Erben – Stiftung sorgt nun für Zurgilgenhaus", Luzerner Zeitung, 22. Mai 2015
https://www.luzernerzeitung.ch/zentralschweiz/luzern/stadt-luzern-fehlende-erben-stiftung-sorgt-nun-fuer-zurgilgenhaus-ld.8857

Wikipedia: “Haus Zur Gilgen.” https://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki /Haus_Zur_Gilgen

Also drawing on my own research.

Lucerne in Pictures: The Nölliturm — Joseph Clemens Kaufmann, 1901

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 23:54:49 GMT

This painting is by Joseph Clemens Kaufmann and is dated 1901 ( oil on canvas, 58 × 76 cm ).

The artist was probably standing on the Spreuer Bridge when he painted this beautiful scene. It shows the right bank of the River Reuss below the bridge around 1890 . At the centre of the painting stands the Nölliturm , built between 1516 and 1519 , marking the lower end of the Musegg Wall . Because of its bright red tiled roof, it was once called the “Red Tower.”

The painting shows a time when the riverside was still quiet, natural, and free from traffic – the St. Karli Quay and the Geissmatt Bridge did not yet exist. The river lies calm in the warm sunlight, the houses reflect in the clear water, and gardens and old trees rise up on the hillside. The whole scene feels peaceful and timeless , as if everyday life had paused for a moment.

Also beautiful is the graceful woman in the boat in the foreground. She guides the flat wooden boat with strength and skill , standing upright and confident. She almost seems lost in thought. Is she perhaps travelling to meet her loved one? This gentle hint of romance gives the painting a poetic feeling and leaves space for the viewer’s imagination.

Altogether, the painting combines historic architecture , soft landscape , and human presence into one harmonious view — a loving portrait of old Lucerne around 1900 .

Source: Michael Riedler: Idyllisches Luzern (1987). Published by the Korporation Luzern; image content in the public domain via Wikimedia Commons .

The Little Earth Man on the Kastelen Alp

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 23:15:00 GMT

Long ago, on Mount Pilatus , there lived little mountain men . They lived inside the whole mountain , from the top down to Hergiswil and the Eigental. They could suddenly come out of caves and disappear again very fast. They were very small and wore green clothes and red hats . Their feet looked like goose feet . They had long white hair and beards down to the ground . They looked after animals and fish and helped the farmers . But if someone was unkind to them, they took revenge very quickly .

On the Kastelen Alp , there once lived a rich farmer named Klaus . One day, Magdalena came to him. Her mother was poor and sick . Magdalena asked Klaus for help. But Klaus only laughed at her . So Magdalena walked sadly down the mountain.

On the way, she met a farm boy from the Bründlen Alp . He saw how sad she was. So he gave her his only small cheese .

Magdalena wanted to walk on, but a strong storm forced her to wait in a hut. When she went outside again, she slipped on the wet grass . The cheese fell and rolled down the hill . Magdalena cried bitterly .

Suddenly, someone pulled gently on her dress . She turned around and saw a tiny dwarf with a red cap, green clothes, and a long beard . On his thin shoulders, he carried a cheese and mountain herbs .

He said: “I know what happened. Here are new herbs and cheese. The herbs will make your mother well again. And the cheese will give you food. Your unkind relative has already been punished.”

Magdalena went home to her mother. She made tea from the herbs and her mother became healthy again .
When they wanted to cut the cheese, they saw: the cheese was pure gold .

At the same time, the storm also hit the Kastelen Alp . Big rocks broke loose and destroyed the alp. One big stone hit Klaus and broke both his legs . From then on, he had to walk on crutches and lived in misery.

But Magdalena married the kind farm boy . Together they bought the Bründlen Alp and lived happily.

 Source: The Little Earth Man and the Widow, from Luzerner Sagen Kuno Müller, pp. 102–103.

The Earth Fairy and the Poor Widow

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 14:44:57 GMT

In the valley of the Hilfern , on the western slope of the Schratten near Marbach , there lived a poor widow in a very small and crooked little house. Often she did not know how she could feed herself and her children. She owned only one cow , and in the attic there was just a small, thin pile of hay.

One evening, while the widow was warming milk for her children, she cried loudly about her misery. Then a little earth-woman (a small spirit of the ground) came in and asked why she was so sad. The widow told the little woman about her hardship. The earth-woman promised to take care of the cow during the winter and to make sure there would always be enough milk .

But the widow had to promise never — absolutely never — to look and see how much hay was left in the attic. Happily, the mother agreed. At once, the little earth-woman began to tidy the house and the barn.

She spoke kindly with the children. The cow soon became fat and shiny with happiness . It gave plenty of milk , and the family’s poverty came to an end.

Spring arrived. Then the widow could no longer resist. She simply had to look and see how much hay was still there. And she saw that the haystack was untouched .

When she crept back into the room, embarrassed, the earth-woman greeted her sadly and said, “Now I must leave this place.” Then she went away.

At once the haystack began to shrink, the cow became thin again, and the milk grew less. The little earth-woman never returned, and the old poverty came back .

Source: "The Little Earth-Woman and the Widow,” Das Erdmännchen und die Witwe, Luzerner Sagen by Kuno Müller, p. 99 f.

The Pilatus Legend – or How the Mountain Got Its Name

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 11:20:09 GMT

Mount Pilatus strongly stimulated the imagination of the people in Switzerland early on. This was because it seemingly rose gently from the flatlands, but then suddenly jutted steeply upwards in massive rock formations.

The ancients called it "Fractus mons" (broken mountain) or Frakmont . They considered it nothing more than a split and broken-up mighty hill.

Since the people of antiquity could not explain the elemental forces that once split the mountain, they saw in them the work of evil powers. Because fire, water, storms, and lightning had always terrified the residents, they believed that these forces were causing mischief on the mountain. In the ignorance of the Middle Ages, one thing was clear: spirits lived there. In the stories, one heard of dragons, ghosts, spirits, hobgoblins (Herdmännlein), and mischievous dwarves (Toggelis); even the Türst and the Sträggele caused trouble there.

Lucerne is full of legends like this one – not only on the mountains but also in the old town, which you can explore on a Guided Night Tour with the Night Watchman.

Lucerne Schilling Chronicle, 1513, Folio 89r, page 177 . A heavy thunderstorm flooded the Krienbach stream. Debris (scree and wood) tore away the protective barrier and the bridge between the Barfüßertor (Barefoot Gate) and the Ketzerturm (Heretics' Tower) and caused great damage in the small town of Lucerne on June 24, 1473.

The Historical Fear of Pilatus

To properly understand the Pilatus legend, one had to empathize with the fears of the Lucerne population. Until about 150 years ago, the city was repeatedly affected by severe floods of the Krienbach stream. During thunderstorms on Pilatus, this stream swelled rapidly and carried large amounts of water and debris, which often flooded the entire small town. For example, in 1566 , the barracks and the Spreuer Bridge were torn away .

According to the legend , a student from Salamanca spread this story about the curse of Pilatus in Lucerne. For the residents at the time, this legend was a plausible explanation for the destructive fury of the mountain.

The danger ended only about 150 years ago, when the Krienbach was diverted and most of its water now flows into the Kleine Emme river near Malters. Today, the harmless remnants of the stream flow under Burgerstrasse at the needle dam into the Reuss river.

Ulrich Gutersohn (1862–1946), the Corporation Building, 1885. The Krienbach stream is in the center, with Pilatus in the background.

The Pilatus Legend – The Judgment and the Curse

The legend said the mountain was the final resting place of the Roman governor Pontius Pilate , who had unjustly condemned Jesus Christ.

The sick Emperor Tiberius in Rome sent his servant Albanus to Jerusalem to bring the healer Jesus Christ to him. Albanus met the governor Pilate there, who did not want to give him an answer because he had unjustly condemned Jesus to death. Albanus found the woman Veronica. She told him about the death and resurrection of Jesus. Veronica possessed the veil that she had offered to Jesus on his path of suffering for him to wipe his face, and upon which the image of Jesus was miraculously imprinted .

Veronica accompanied Albanus to Rome. When the Emperor saw the cloth and looked at it devoutly, he was immediately healed of all his ailments.

The healed Emperor had Pilate brought to Rome to punish him. When Pilate appeared before the Emperor for the first time, he was wearing Jesus' garment . Although Tiberius wanted to condemn him, his anger vanished every time, and he could not harm Pilate. The Emperor knew nothing of the protective power of the holy robe. He had Pilate taken back to the dungeon.

On the second day, Pilate appeared before the Emperor again, and the anger disappeared again. Tiberius could not judge him again. Then Tiberius turned to Veronica and asked for advice. She realized that Pilate was wearing the holy robe of Jesus Christ. Veronica advised the Emperor to have Pilate take off the garment.

On the third day, the Emperor had Pilate remove the robe. As soon as Pilate had taken off the robe, the Emperor's wrath returned , and Tiberius sentenced him to death.

Pilate evaded the execution: Back in the dungeon, he killed himself with a knife.

The Spirit in the Mountain Lake

The corpse of Pilate caused great thunderstorms and terrible things wherever it was buried . Therefore, it was first thrown into the Tiber in Rome, but even there, the body could not be left because of the bad weather. Then the body was brought to the city of Lausanne and thrown into the Rhône river. Again, the devils returned and caused mischief.

Finally, the corpse was taken to the mountain near Lucerne and thrown into a lake. This mountain was called Fräkmünd , and the lake is called Pilatus Lake .

 People believed that if someone disturbed the spirit of Pilatus , it would bring terrible thunderstorms with hail and thunder.

How Not to Disturb the Spirit

People believed that the spirit of Pilatus was allowed to rise up in the middle of the lake once a year, namely on Good Friday . Then he sat enthroned on his judgment seat in Roman governor's attire . For the rest of the time, he remained quiet and peaceful in the water—provided he was left undisturbed.

He was not allowed to be provoked under any circumstances. As soon as someone spoke loudly by the lake, called out his name , or threw wood and stones into the water , his wrath would break out: The sky turned black, lightning flashed , and thunder rumbled . Terrible storms and destruction fell upon the region of Lucerne.

For this reason, it was subsequently strictly forbidden to climb the mountain out of curiosity or recklessness.

Do you like ghost stories? Then you shouldn’t miss the special Evening City Tour with the Night Watchman.

The Fight Against Superstition

So much for the legend.

It is historically documented that it was forbidden to climb Mount Pilatus. Only the shepherds were allowed to stay there. The shepherds and herdsmen on the alpine pasture were sworn and obligated by the government not to let anyone go up to the Pilatus Lake.

The prohibitions were taken very seriously:

Already in 1387 , six clergymen were imprisoned and expelled just because they wanted to visit the notorious lake.
In 1564 , two men were imprisoned because a heavy thunderstorm broke out over the mountain after their forbidden excursion to the lake.

But this superstition lost its power, mainly through the work of the Lucerne city parish priest Johannes Müller . In 1585 , Müller climbed up to the lake with a large escort. He demonstratively challenged the spirit of Pilatus by throwing stones into the shallow water and instructing people to wade into the lake. Nothing happened, however : Neither a storm nor bad weather broke out , and the sky remained cloudlessly clear.

To finally put an end to this popular belief, which was recognized as nonsense , the Lucerne Council decided to abolish all prohibitions . Furthermore, the Council ordered the lake to be drained in 1594 .

Today We Know: Where the Name Pilatus Comes From

The name Pilatus does not derive from Pontius Pilate.

It stems from Latin:

Latin : Pileus means " the cap ."
Derived : Pileatus means " the one wearing a cap ."

The mountain was named this because it often wears a cloud cap. There is also a proverb about this that every Lucerner knows :

Hat der Pilatus einen Hut, (If Pilatus wears a cap,)
wird das Wetter sicher gut. (the weather will surely be good.)
Hat der Pilatus einen Degen, (If Pilatus wears a sword/dagger,)
wirds bestimmt regnen. (it will certainly rain.)
Hat der Pilatus eine Kappe, (If Pilatus wears a hood/bonnet,)
wird das Wetter Knappe (instabil). (the weather will be unstable/scarce.)

Ulrich Gutersohn (1862–1946), the weather proverb, 1900. On Good Friday, Pilatus is enthroned on the judgment seat.

The Pilatus Lake is now dried up but is still marked on every map, including on Google Maps .

For the sources please refer to the German version of this post.

Header image: © Lucerne Tourism / Ivo Scholz | Switzerland Tourism

The Theft of the State Treasury

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 13:32:00 GMT

Lucerne, 1758. The Golden Time of the Republic was coming to its autumn. Wars and bad harvests in Europe meant that the soldier contracts, which the city lived from, were paid slowly. This made the state treasury, the heart of the Lucerne Republic, even more important.

It was stored in the safest place you could think of: in the upper room of the Water Tower. The Reuss river flowed around it, and you could only reach it over the Chapel Bridge or by boat.

The Hole in the Attic

But no lock is safe from those who have the key. It began years before, an idea from the chaplain Beat Spengler, who was a student then. Together with his fellow student Ludwig Ales and the city employee Josef Anton Stalder, who kept the keys to the tower, they made the plan.

From the attic, they used a rope to go down into the treasure room. They drilled holes into the iron-bound chests, took gold and silver coins, and cleverly filled the bags with sand and stones until the weight was exactly right. Sometimes there were checks, but they only weighed the chests and did not check inside. They fell for the trick.

The Loan with Bad Consequences

For years, nobody found out about the theft. The theft became routine. Stalder told the new city servant Frölin about it, and soon a whole group of people knew: Stalder’s wife Maria and his daughter Veronika, Frölin’s wife Anna Maria Breitenmoser and her brother Alois, Stalder’s maid Elisabeth Bachmann, and a man named Nicolaus Schumacher.

The cheat was only found out when the Teutonic Order (Deutschritterorden) asked for a loan of 100,000 florins. The Great Council agreed on December 1, 1758.

Sand instead of Guilders

The next day, December 2, the councilmen opened the treasure room in the tower to get the loan. The quiet in the room turned to pure horror. When they wanted to count the coins for the loan, they found bags full of stones and sand. 50,000 guilders were missing – today that would be worth several million Swiss Francs.

The Hunt

The Council of Lucerne acted very hard. A hunt was started. They quickly thought it was their own employees. Josef Anton Stalder was arrested when he was trying to run away. But the city servant Frölin escaped at first.

The two clergymen, Spengler and Ales, also fled over Lake Constance. Stalder’s maid, Elisabeth Bachmann, went to Milan as soon as she heard her master was arrested. Alois Breitenmoser was also gone.

Through questioning, with and without torture, the whole conspiracy was found out. Frölin was finally found among soldiers in Hessen (Germany) and brought back to Lucerne.
.

The Price of Betrayal

The judgments in spring 1759 were merciless and were meant to scare others.
Josef Anton Stalder, the leader and a citizen of the city, was punished cruelly: his right hand was cut off, he was strangled on a post, and his body was quartered and put on the wheel.

Anna Breitenmoser was beheaded.

Jost Ignaz Frölin and Nicolaus Schumacher were hanged.

Only Stalder’s daughter, Veronika Stalder, did not get the death penalty. She was the only one who showed real regret and was sentenced to life in chains.

Sentenced and Disappeared

The executioner carried out the sentences. Chaplain Spengler, the man with the idea, later died in a monastery in Vienna in church asylum. Ludwig Ales, the organist, disappeared and was never seen again.

Two other conspirators were never caught: Alois Breitenmoser and the maid Elisabeth Bachmann. What happened to them is still unknown today. We only know that Breitenmoser fled early and Bachmann made it to Milan.

For the sources please refer to the German version of this post.

The Legend of the Lucerne War Horns

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 07:22:22 GMT

A painting on the Chapel Bridge (panel Nr. 25) once showed a famous Lucerne legend: The Emperor Charlemagne giving special "Harsthörner" (war horns) to warriors from Lucerne to honor them. (Please note: This original painting was unfortunately destroyed in the 1993 Chapel Bridge fire and is no longer on the bridge.)

The legend says that in 778, warriors from Lucerne joined Charlemagne’s army in Spain. They bravely saved his nephew, Roland, in a battle. As a "thank you" for their loyalty and courage, the emperor gave them the special war horns, a great privilege.

What was this "Harsthorn"?

It was a signal horn made from the horn of an auroch (a big, wild bull). Its deep sound was a psychological weapon in battle. It was used to motivate the own troops and frighten the enemies. It was an important symbol of honor, like a flag. The man who carried it had to be one of the strongest and would protect it with his life.

Legend vs. Reality

The paintings on the Chapel Bridge were made in the 17th century, a time when people often mixed history and legends.

The reality of this story is different. The famous battle, known as the Battle of Roncevaux Pass ( Wiki ), was in 811, not 778. It was against the Basques, not the Saracens. And it was a terrible defeat for Charlemagne; his nephew Roland actually died there.

At that time, Lucerne was just a small fishing village. It was not a city and did not have an army to send to Spain.

So, why does this painting exist? Myths like this were important. They gave the city prestige and connected Lucerne to famous historical figures like Charlemagne. It made the city's history seem older and more important.

But the horns were real symbols of Lucerne's military. You can see them pictured in the famous Diebold Schilling Chronicle , an illustrated history book from the Middle Ages.

The Lucerne war horns and the Uri Bull, Lucerne Schilling Folio 99v, p. 200, detail

What happened to the real horns?

The story of the horns is also turbulent. Troops from Bern captured two of Lucerne's war horns in 1712. These horns were later lost in Bern during the French invasion (the time of Napoleon) in 1798.

But other original horns are safe. The Historical Museum (Historisches Museum) in Lucerne keeps them, and you can see one of them on display .

Perhaps the most heroic figure of a horn blower is the "Uristier" (the Uri Bull) from the canton of Uri.

You can find the sources for this post on the German version .

The Giant of Reiden

Sun, 09 Nov 2025 12:34:00 GMT

A famous painting on Lucerne's Chapel Bridge (Panel No. 1) shows an old city legend. It pictures a giant man with a tree trunk standing next to a normal-sized man.

A Giant for the Whole City

The story is this: In 1577, an oak tree fell during a storm near the town of Reiden. When workers cleared it, they found huge bones.

Early "scholars" studied the bones. They calculated that they belonged to a giant who was almost 5 meters (16 "Werck Schuh") tall.

The discovery became an important matter for the city. One of the largest bones was brought to Lucerne and put on display in the City Hall (Rathaus) as proof. The city hired a painter, Hans Heinrich Wägmann, to paint the giant on the City Hall tower.

The city clerk, Renward Cysat, wanted a better opinion. He asked the famous doctor Felix Platter from Basel. In 1584, Platter announced his own calculation: the giant must have been 5.6 meters tall!

This "proof" made the people of Lucerne proud. The discovery of the giant fit perfectly with the city's other important symbol: the "Wild Man" (Wilder Mann) . The Wild Man is the supporter of Lucerne's coat of arms and can be seen in many places (like the Hotel Wilder Mann, the Wild Man Fountain, the paintings on the Clock Tower and the Historical Museum ... ).

The Giant of Reiden now served as "proof" of this heritage and supported the ideal of Lucerne's people, who saw themselves as wild, free, and independent .

A Scholar Solves the Riddle

For more than 200 years, people admired the bone in the City Hall. But then came the Age of Enlightenment.

The government of Lucerne wanted to know the scientific truth. They sent some of the bones to the best expert at the time: Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, a famous scholar in Germany.

Blumenbach studied the pieces and sent his clear diagnosis back to Lucerne: It was not a giant. It was a mammoth !

This solved the mystery. The "Giant of Reiden" is now known as the first scientifically recognized mammoth discovery in Switzerland.

Today, the "giant bones" are on display at the Natur-Museum Luzern ( Lucerne Nature Museum) .

For the sources please refer to the German version of this post.

The Executioner's Code

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 18:35:30 GMT

Just like any good craftsman, the executioner tried to do a "clean" job. When it came to torture, he was only allowed to go as far as it was useful—he wasn't supposed to kill them. The executioner had to be extremely careful that the tortured prisoners didn't die, so they could still be brought to their "real" punishment.

If necessary, he even had to patch them up, which is how he gained medical knowledge.

While doctors at the time were forbidden from dissecting bodies, executioners learned a lot about anatomy and healing. They passed this knowledge on to their sons.

Lucerne Schilling, 1513, Folio 210r (p. 425) . A servant in Bellinzona who intended to betray the city to the French is cruelly disemboweled and quartered (1500).

In 1782, a "Master" Leonard Vollmar, who beheaded Anna Göldi (the last "witch") in Glarus, asked permission to bring his 19-year-old son along, "who would like to learn how the thing is done."

The highest and most "honorable" job for an executioner was the art of beheading by sword.

This had to be done in one single strike, cutting the head completely from the body—so clean that a wagon wheel could supposedly roll through the gap. The executioners' sons practiced this on animals.

A good executioner understood the seriousness of his job and performed it factually, seriously, and according to a fixed ritual.

The Big Moment

Picture this: Hundreds of people are watching the execution. The judge, the executioner, and the condemned person are standing high up on the scaffold.
The executioner places his hand on the condemned person’s shoulder and tells him to kneel.

Then he stands behind him, takes a step, and raises the execution sword.

This is the executioner's moment.
Hundreds of eyes are focused on him.
Dead silence.

He breathes out deeply, his muscles tense, adrenaline shoots through his body.
He looks at the judge.
A nod.

Then

Sssfffffft.
An almost silent whistle cuts the air.
Thwack.
A short, wet sound. The body slumps.
Thud – – Thud – Thud.
The dull sound of the severed head rolling across the scaffold.

The crowd screams and cheers. For the executioner, it's a rush.
Now he is the king—for one moment, the absolute superstar.
He enjoys this moment, knowing full well that in the next second, he will once again be the most dishonorable of the dishonorable: the outlaw, the outcast.

The Execution Place Sentimatt in Lucerne

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 21:27:47 GMT

In the beginning, as serfs of the Hofkloster (monastery), we got our judgement at the Marienbrunnen (Mary's fountain) by the stairs of today's Hofkirche.

From the middle of the 13th century, the Habsburgs allowed us to hold court ourselves . This happened at the lower fish market (unterer Fischmarkt), by the court linden tree.

Later, the first town hall of Lucerne (the building before today's Hotel Des Balances) became the court place. The executions happened at the Sentimatt execution place .

Location of the Sentimatt Execution Place

It was between Dammstrasse and Sentimatt 1 , directly at the Reuss river, outside the old city walls.
Today, there is a parking lot there. On the left is the University of Teacher Education (Pädagogische Hochschule), on the right a concrete wall , and behind it the Sonnenberg tunnel.

The Sentimatt Execution Place on the Schumacher Plan

On the Schumacher Plan from 1790 , you can see the execution place very clearly:

A fenced property outside the city walls.
A main house with three floors , and other small buildings.
A garden with trees (probably apple trees).
A closed-off area with a hole – probably to put the dead bodies in.
A round, high place in the middle of the area: the Kallenberg.

Explanation: The Kallenberg is a scaffold made of stone. It is the round or eight-sided platform (the "stage") where the bloody executions, like beheadings or the "breaking on the wheel", happened.

Who lived in the main house, we don't know. Probably the family of the executioner and his servants. But the building looks very big .

Picture in the Diebold Schilling Chronicle

In the Diebold Schilling Chronicle of 1513 , you can also see the Sentimatt execution place. You see it with the Reuss river and in the background (behind the smoke) the Musegg walls .

Diebold Schilling Chronik 1513, Folio 174v (P. 352) . In 1495, Diebold Schilling prevented the execution of Jakob Kessler, who had falsely confessed to a murder in Lenzkirch while being tortured .

Second Execution Place from the Middle of the 16th Century

Around 1562 , Lucerne made another execution place . It was near the Emmen-Bridge – at the place where the Reuss and Emme rivers flow together , on the left river side.

From this time, the Sentimatt was used only for executions with the sword .

The Story of Turst

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 11:03:34 GMT

On the heights of Mount Pilatus, a ghostly figure roams—a creature that is part "wild man," part "spirit," part "warrior," and part "god." This being, called Türst , causes great trouble for the alpine herdsmen and torments their cattle in many ways. His power is strongest when the herdsmen stray from a godly life. He is a fearsome hunter from the underworld.

At nightfall, Türst prepares for the hunt. He drives the poor cattle before him, scaring and confusing them so much that they run wildly in all directions. Sometimes, they even leap down into the valley, forcing the herdsmen to struggle to bring them back up. The cows remain without milk for a long time after such encounters.

When Türst approaches, he blows a powerful hunting horn. Every animal that hears it must come and stand before him. He is often accompanied by a pack of hellish dogs , all of which have only three legs . Leading the pack is a massive dog with a single eye in the middle of its forehead . This dog jumps ahead, with the entire pack stumbling behind it, constantly falling over due to their missing legs. In the middle of it all is Türst , part hunter, part spirit, part ghost, and part warrior.

The barking of the dogs sounds eerie—hollow, muffled, and unnatural. It terrifies the cattle, causing them to flee towards humans in fear. The herdsmen have their hands full whenever Türst appears. This happens in the Alps of Pilatus , on the meadows of the mountain.

In winter, when the cold sets in, Türst and his pack sometimes descend into the valleys . Sometimes, Türst even reaches the city of Lucerne . People say that when the wind blows fiercely through the streets on cold nights, you should be cautious and listen carefully—because Türst announces himself with a chilling call:

"Out of the way! Out of the way! Three steps to the side—or else!"

If you hear this, you must step three steps to the right immediately . If you don’t, Türst and his pack will run you over , and you will be transformed into a three-legged dog , doomed to run with his ghostly pack forever .

Among the pack, there are big and small dogs , always led by the one-eyed leader . The smallest dogs sometimes struggle to keep up and fall behind. One story tells of a time when Türst and his pack were passing St. Peter’s Chapel in Lucerne. A tiny three-legged dog kept stumbling and was left behind. Türst and his pack vanished into the night, leaving the little dog behind, whimpering.

A kind-hearted sacristan (a church caretaker) saw the poor creature and took pity on it. He brought it into his home, fed it, and gave it water . The little dog stayed there for the entire day.

But as night fell, a great commotion broke out in the square outside the chapel. There was loud barking, shouting, and suddenly—a knock at the door.

The sacristan hesitated. Who could it be?

When he opened the door, he saw the massive one-eyed dog standing before him . It spoke in a deep voice:

"Give us Gregorli. Give us Gregorli. We will not harm you. You were kind to Gregorli. You fed him and gave him water. So we will not hurt you. But now, give us Gregorli."

The sacristan gently picked up the little dog and handed it over. Türst and his pack disappeared into the darkness.

And that is the legend of Türst .

Source

Based on "Luzerner Sagen" (Lucerne Legends), collected and told by Kuno Müller (with slight modifications by Nightwatchman Ralf)

When Odin became Türst

The Lucerne Visitor Card

Fri, 02 May 2025 23:29:56 GMT

The Lucerne Visitor Card is a thoughtful welcome gift for overnight guests staying in a hotel in the city. Previously known as the "Guest Card," it offers great benefits to make your stay more enjoyable.

What is it?

First and foremost, it's a free transport pass for buses and trains in Zone 10 , which covers Lucerne and its surrounding areas (excluding boats).

What is Zone 10?

Zone 10 includes the entire city of Lucerne and nearby districts. If your hotel is located within the city, your Visitor Card is valid for travel in this zone.

Will I get the Visitor Card if I stay in an Airbnb or similiar?

No, the Visitor Card is offered exclusively for guests staying in a hotel within the city limits.

How long is the Visitor Card valid?

It is valid from your arrival day until your departure day .

When do I receive my Visitor Card?

You will receive it shortly before arrival by email from your hotel or upon check-in at the reception. Each hotel room is issued one card , which includes the number of guests staying in the room.

Can I use public transport for free on my arrival day before I get the Visitor Card?

Yes! Your hotel booking in a Lucerne city hotel allows you to travel for free to your hotel on the day of arrival. Should a Controller ask for your ticket show him your hotel booking on your cell or print.

Do I have to validate my bus ticket on the Visitor Card, or do I have to show it to the Bus Driver?

No , you don't have to validate your ticket.
D on't bother the Driver by showing him your Visitor Card. He does not want to see that. Just have it with you. Should a Controller come and ask for it, then you show it.

Popular Public Transport Routes for Visitors

From Lucerne train station to your hotel.
From your hotel to the Lion Monument .
A trip to Mount Pilatus , taking the bus to Kriens.
Visiting the Swiss Museum of Transport , located slightly outside the city center.
A train ride to Hergiswil to explore the famous glass factory, Glasi Hergiswil .
And many more possibilities!

What else is included?

Free Wi-Fi access in the city of Lucerne.
Discounts and special offers at various attractions and shops.

[ Lucerne Visitor Card - official Website ]

[ Zone 10 Map ]

�� Looking for an unforgettable evening activity in Lucerne?

Join a Public Night Watchman Tour in Lucerne taking place on Tuesdays
Or choose a more personal experience with a Private Night Watchman Tour in Lucerne (taking place daily after sunset).

The best water of Lucerne

Thu, 01 May 2025 14:21:13 GMT

The purest and best-tasting water in Lucerne can be found in the fountains of the historic old town. Unlike the houses and hotels, which receive their water through pressure pipes, these fountains have their own independent water supply, dating back to the Middle Ages.

The First Fountains of Lucerne

Some of Lucerne’s earliest fountains were located at Fischmarkt Square (now Weinmarkt), Hirschenplatz, the junction of Eisengasse and Schlossergasse, and Hertensteinstrasse near the Einhorn restaurant.

One of the most remarkable—and possibly the oldest—fountain in Lucerne stands at Weinmarkt . As early as 1332, when Lucerne joined the Swiss Confederation, a wooden fountain stood in this square, as depicted in the Diebold Schilling Chronicle .

Diebold Schilling Chronicle, Folio 6, P. 22 I Confederate Oath of the Founding Cantons and Lucerne on Weinmarkt, 1332.

The current stone fountain at Weinmarkt was completed in 1494 by Konrad Lux from Basel. As recognition for his craftsmanship, he was granted citizenship of Lucerne. The original fountain base is now exhibited in the Historical Museum , while a faithful replica remains in the square.

Atop the fountain stands Saint Maurice , the city's patron saint. The six armored warriors at the base represent a historic military drill, once a mandatory event in old Lucerne. Twice a year, all citizens were required to own weapons and present them for inspection.

What Makes Lucerne’s Fountain Water So Special?

The city’s household and hotel water supply comes from two pressure pipes, which carry a mix of lake, groundwater, and spring water—ensuring high quality.

However, the water from the historic fountains is even better. It is pure spring water sourced from the slopes of Mount Pilatus , near the legendary Pilatussee . Since the Middle Ages, this water has flowed naturally along the Krienbach crest and beneath the Reussbrücke bridge into the old town.

While other cities, like Zurich, historically relied on lake and river water, Lucerne has always enjoyed pristine spring water.

Lucerne’s fountain water rivals premium bottled brands like Evian or San Pellegrino —but with an eco-friendly advantage: no long transport routes.

Another unique feature is its silence . Unlike pressured tap water, it flows naturally, without artificial force. Water enthusiasts say that quiet water should be drunk in quiet surroundings , allowing its calm energy to refresh both body and mind.

A Precious Resource That Must Be Protected

Lucerne’s free drinking water is an invaluable gift that must be preserved. Water should not be a commodity. Unfortunately, this is not the case everywhere.

In Lucerne, you can enjoy some of the finest water in the world—for free—straight from our historical fountains. To find your nearest refill spot, check out the Lucerne Fountain Guide by the local non-profit wfw.ch . It’s a simple, sustainable way to experience the city's heritage without buying bottled water.

Header Image © Nicole Schafer I Lucerne Tourism I Switzerland Tourism

The Treadwheel Crane in the Church of St. Leodegar (Hofkirche)

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 23:56:11 GMT

On Folio 3r of Diebold Schilling's Lucerne Chronicle, a treadwheel crane is depicted in the construction of the first monastery church at Hof in the 8th century.

Luzerner Schilling, 1513, Folio 3r, S.15

At the heart of the image, a treadwheel crane is visible. What appears to be a gallows is actually the crane’s frame. Beneath it, the large wheel functions as a treadmill, powered by human effort—similar to a hamster wheel. The crane rope runs from the treadmill over the frame to a corner pillar. Attached to the rope is a stone clamp (also called Wolf or Wolf’s Tongs), which grasps a stone block. A worker, dressed like a town servant, ensures the block is positioned correctly.

The Stone Clamp

When the crane rope is pulled up, the clamp tightens around the stone, allowing it to be lifted securely. Small indentations are carved into the sides of the block to prevent slipping. By utilizing its own weight, even the heaviest stones can be raised efficiently.

A Historic Treadwheel in Lucerne

Lucerne still preserves a historic treadmill, located in the attic of the Hofkirche. To this day, it is used during the Ascension Day service to lift an image of Christ.

The Story of the Kreuzbuche near Seeburg

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:30:31 GMT

On the old Megger Road, which is today's Kreuzbuchstrasse , not far from Seeburg, stands the Kreuzbuche, also called the Holy Beech.

Whenever a tree there died, a new beech was planted in its place and decorated with a Shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Two stories are told about the origin of this tradition

Pilgrim's Story

One story says: A pilgrim , who was on his way to Einsiedeln, got lost for a long time at this spot. He made a vow to dedicate a plaque to the Virgin Mary if she helped him find his way again.

And so it happened. He then set up a Virgin Mary Shrine and also donated a mass at the Hofkirche (St. Leodegar Church) in Lucerne.

 The Story of the Lady of Neuhabsburg

Another story is linked to the conquest of Neuhabsburg Castle in 1352 , fourteen years before the Battle of Sempach.

Back then, the people of Lucerne, together with the original cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden, conquered Neuhabsburg Castle . They told the lady of the castle:

"Listen, we will do you no harm.

Whatever you can carry on your back

whatever is dearest to you

you may take with you and leave freely."

The clever lady did something unexpected: she carried her husband on her back out of the castle, past the Confederates, and into freedom.

However, the proud knight was ashamed that his life had been saved by a woman's trick. In a fit of rage, he stabbed his savior on the Meggen common land, near the Kreuzbuche.

No sooner had he committed the murder than he was filled with terrible remorse . He wandered around aimlessly, tormented by his guilty conscience. No matter where he went, his steps always led him back to the scene of his crime.

There, at the very spot where he had committed the murder, he took his own life.

Source: Luzerner Sagen by Kuno Müller.

How a Young Boy Was Drowned in Lucerne and Came Back to Life

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 22:08:11 GMT

In the year 1470, an 11-year-old boy was arrested , having squandered his life through theft. He was sentenced to be hanged until dead. However, at the request of his family, he was "only" drowned instead.

Drowning was primarily used for executing those accused of witchcraft , but it was also applied to young criminals. As was customary with medieval drowning, the offender was bound in a crouching position. In one hand, the executioner held a rope that kept the convict’s feet just above the water. With the other hand, the executioner used a pole to push the condemned person’s upper body under the water.

Diebold Schilling Chronicle, Folio 80v, P. 162

Diebold Schilling Chronicle, Folio 80v Also present, sitting in the boat with the executioner who had come from Zurich, were the council judge with a sword, the town clerk, and a city servant at the oars. The executioner di d his work while the others' eyes were fixed on the face of the drowning person, from whose mouth the breath of life escaped. It was a cruel method of execution, face to face.

The boy, named Hans Hegenheim, was thrown into the water at the right bank of the river at the "Egg" and was slowly carried by the current to the left bank under the Reuss Bridge.

Upon reaching the opposite shore, the assistant executioner pulled him from the water, cut his bonds, and left him lying there. After a while, Hans Hegenheim moved his mouth and gradually regained consciousness. He lived for many years afterward, became an honorable man, took a wife, and had beautiful children.

From the Chronicle of Diebold Schilling the Younger, 1513, Folio 80v, P. 162

When Odin became Turst

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 20:40:18 GMT

Türst is a pagan spirit from the Lucerne region. Originally, he was none other than Odin , also known as Wotan , the chief god of Norse mythology.

When Christianity spread, the old gods did not completely disappear from people's minds. Instead, the new religious leaders transformed them into ghosts and spirits, whose power was said to be strongest when people strayed from a godly life.

Türst, also called Thürst or Vuotis , is described as a demonic hunter who frightens both people and animals.

A meeting with him can cause madness or even death.

Türst is often said to hunt in forests and riverbeds , especially in places like Entlebuch, Wiggertal, Schiltwald, Hundsrücken, Würzenbachtobel (Lucerne), Horw, and Hergiswil .

In almost every part of the canton, there are paths associated with him. Some places even bear his name, such as Türstegg in Escholzmatt and Türstbach in Hergiswil .

Sometimes, Türst is accompanied by a witch-like figure called the Sträggele .

He is also described as riding an eight-legged horse , just like Odin.

Related Posts:

The Story of Türst

The Witch Carried Through the Air by the Devil

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 21:23:37 GMT

Barbara Schatzmann , a midwife from St. Gallen , was suspected of being a witch in 1570 in Lucerne . She was arrested and confessed in Willisau that she had killed a boy by blowing on him . She also admitted in prison that her lover, the “Federmisch” (a name for the Devil) , had taught her how to kill newborns by stabbing them in the head with a needle . According to different sources, she claimed to have done this to either 11 or 27 babies .

Even in prison, Barbara Schatzmann was tormented by the Devil , so guards had to watch her day and night. When they least expected it, the Devil struck . He came in the form of a black bird , grabbed her, tore off her skin , and carried her body and soul through the air . All that remained was her skin, blown up like a balloon .

At least, that is how the story is recorded in the Wickiana , a 16th-century collection of news reports . However, historical records from the Lucerne State Archive confirm that Barbara Schatzmann actually died in prison .

The Illustration in the Wickiana

The picture from the Wickiana (Zentralbibliothek Zürich, F 19, fol. 121v) shows the inside of the prison. On the left, we see her empty, blown-up skin with marks from the Devil’s attack, while two shocked guards look on.

In the top left corner, there is a winch , a tool used for stretching torture . Below it, we see heavy stones that were tied to prisoners' feet.

Through the tower window, the Devil can be seen flying away with his victim . Onlookers in the street point at him in shock.

Sources (All in German)

Senn Matthias , Die Wickiana, Johann Jakob Wicks Nachrichtensammlung aus dem 16. Jahrhundert. Seiten 180, 258.
Schacher Joseph , Das Hexenwesen im Kanton Luzern (1947), Seite 27.
e-periodica , Das Hexenwesen im 16. Jahrhundert.
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Luzern : https://staatsarchiv.lu.ch/schaufenster/quellen/Hexen

The Schumacher Plan – The First Precise City View of Lucerne

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 21:40:34 GMT

The Elevation of the City of Lucerne , better known as the Schumacher Plan , dates back to 1790 and was drawn by Franz Xaver Schumacher (1755–1808) . In 1792 , Jakob Joseph Clausner engraved the work in copper .

While the Martini Plan impresses with its beauty and vibrancy , the Schumacher Plan stands out for its remarkable accuracy . It depicts the city of Lucerne with exceptional detail . For instance, the execution site at Senti and the executioner’s residence are drawn to scale —details that are barely visible in the Martini Plan .

Schumacherplan on Wikimedia >> Wikimedia

Franz Xaver Schumacher came from a patrician family in Lucerne and studied in Bologna and Modena during his youth. Later, he served the French crown , held positions as a councilor , officer , and bailiff , and was also a passionate scientist .

A Masterpiece of Cartography

In the lower left corner of the plan, the following explanation is provided:

“This drawing of all the buildings in the city of Lucerne is depicted à vue d’oiseau , or from above , recorded geometrically from a fixed point , extracted from the plan, and rendered with the utmost accuracy in terms of both the height of the buildings and the width of the streets . Consequently, the plan had to be expanded , which is why the ground plan itself is included for better reference.”

The Schumacher Plan is therefore drawn in a bird’s-eye perspective (three-dimensional) , which slightly expands the city view. In the upper left corner , a small supplementary plan presents an exact geometric top-down (two-dimensional) view for comparison.

The Significance of the Plan in its Time

The legend of the Schumacher Plan lists numerous significant buildings, towers, streets, and squares of Lucerne , including the town hall , the Musegg towers , churches , bridges , and guild houses . Its detailed representation provides deep insight into the city’s structure in the late 18th century .

Notably, the explanation contains strong French influences —a reflection of the aristocratic elite’s admiration for French culture and Enlightenment ideas at the time. However, this period also saw dramatic upheavals : the French Revolution (1789–1799) , the storming of the Tuileries Palace (1792) , and the end of military cooperation between France and Switzerland . Soon after, the French Invasion of 1798 marked the beginning of the Helvetic Republic , bringing profound political changes .

The Schumacher Plan remains a unique historical document —a cartographic masterpiece that captures Lucerne with unprecedented precision .

Another fascinating map of Old Lucerne is the Martini Plan

The Rössli Inn and the Old Water Rights

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 16:49:28 GMT

The former Rössli Inn was the first luxury hotel in Lucerne with its own water fountain . In the early 16th century , it was the preferred accommodation for French ambassadors . The inn had around 20 beds , along with stables and fodder for horses and livestock — standard features of a hotel at that time. Its unique feature, however, was its own fountain .

The Rössli Inn in the Diebold Schilling Chronicle

In Folio 310v of the Diebold Schilling Chronicle , we see an illustration of the arrival of the French treasurer in Lucerne in 1509 .

Diebold Schilling Chronicle of 1513, Folio 310v, S.628 .
Arrival of the French Treasurer in Lucerne with recruitment funds for Swiss mercenaries.

The Scene

The French treasurer brings pension funds to Lucerne to recruit mercenaries :

In the background, three Musegg Towers can be seen: Mändli , Luegisland , and Wachturm .
In the foreground, three stone buildings appear — all inns , as shown by their inn signs:
On the right: the “Schwert” (Sword)
In the center: the “Rössli” (Little Horse)
On the left: the “Raben” (Raven)
The weathervanes on the roof of the Rössli Inn display the coat of arms of its innkeeper, Peter Zumkäs .
Next to the inn sign, a rack for hanging bridles can be seen. Below it, a horse is entering the stables , located where the entrance to Coop City is today.
In the foreground, the French treasurer , wearing a blue cloak , rides into the city surrounded by armed men .
To his right, a mule loaded with treasure chests belonging to the French crown is visible.
Another mule carrying more chests follows behind.

Around 1514 , the city of Lucerne built a fountain in the Rössli Inn. The inn was granted this fountain under one condition: anyone lacking or needing water could collect it from the Rössli fountain .

Today, the original Rössli Inn no longer exists. Instead, the Coop City building stands in its place. However, the old water rights still apply :

The building still has its own fountain .
It must provide water to everyone in order to maintain this historical right.
This increases the property’s value , so the owner ensures that public access to water is always maintained.

How the Historical Water Right Is Preserved Today

The Coop supermarket has leased the entire building. Today:

A decorative fountain in the self-service restaurant on the top floor always has running water .
In front of the building, a modern drinking fountain is available.

These measures preserve the historical water right , ensuring the tradition continues.

P.S. In the basement of the building, there is one of three supermarkets in the historical center.
On the top floor , there is a good, budget self-service restaurant
( Weekdays 09:00–19:00, Saturdays 09:00–17:00, Sundays closed ).

How Diebold Schilling Saved an Innocent Man

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 18:49:05 GMT

In the Diebold Schilling Chronicle on folio 174v , he depicts an event that took place on April 29, 1495 , at the Sentimatt execution site .

The Scene

At the center of the image, dressed in red, stands the judge , holding the executioner’s sword . He is the most important figure in the scene, symbolizing the authority of the judiciary. With a commanding hand gesture, he orders the executioner to stop.

The executioner, visibly confused, obediently sets down the iron-bound breaking wheel . He had just been about to begin the brutal process of “breaking on the wheel” , starting with the convicted man’s right lower leg .

What Happened?

At that moment, Diebold Schilling arrives, pointing at the condemned man and declaring his innocence. Dressed in priestly robes , Schilling appears as a subordinate figure in the painting, humbly pleading for the life of the wrongly convicted man. This is fitting, as he was not only a chronicler but also a priest at St. Peter’s Chapel .

The convicted man, Jakob Kessler , was a vagrant from Breisgau , accused of committing murder in Lenzkirch , near the Titisee in the Black Forest . Under severe torture, he had confessed to the crime. However, he later gave his confessor a more credible account, insisting that he was innocent. Two city guards overheard this and informed Diebold Schilling , who courageously intervened.

Messengers were immediately dispatched to Lenzkirch to verify the accusation. But upon arrival, they discovered that no such murder had ever taken place . As a result, Jakob Kessler was freed . He later set out on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela — perhaps out of gratitude for his rescue, or possibly as a penance pilgrimage , which was a common practice for released prisoners.

Other Executions

On the far right of the image, another man is being burned at the stake — also an outsider. His name was Martin Senn , a man from Savoy , accused of murdering a virgin and committing sodomy with a cow .

In the upper left corner, a triangular gallows structure is visible, with two hanged corpses — likely left there for weeks as a warning to others. It was common practice to let the bodies rot until they fell apart naturally.

In the background, we can see the Reuss River and, beyond the smoke, part of the Musegg Wall .

A Risky Act of Defiance

Though Diebold Schilling depicts himself in the image as humble and subordinate, he is without question the true hero of the story .

How daring must it have been to challenge a court ruling during a public execution , in front of a large crowd of spectators? The ruling elite considered themselves divinely appointed and infallible — to question their verdict was unthinkable.

What risk did Schilling take?

It is difficult to say, but his courage is undeniable. He must have enjoyed considerable respect and influence to get away with such defiance. Others who spoke against authority could face brutal punishments — such as having their right hand cut off and being strangled at a stake .

A Lesson in Justice

Through his chronicle, Diebold Schilling exposed the injustices of his time. Today, we know that justice was far from impartial:

40% of those executed were from the Lucerne countryside (the subject territories).
46.5% were foreigners (from outside today’s Canton of Lucerne).
Only 2% were citizens of Lucerne .

The Ghost of Furrengasse: Lucerne’s Darkest Legend and the Toggeli

Sat, 08 Mar 2025 20:08:38 GMT

Looking for a darker side of Lucerne?

While most visitors experience Lucerne as a charming and peaceful city, its old town hides stories that are far less comforting.

Hidden among the narrow alleys lies Furrengasse — a small street with a long history of ghostly encounters, night spirits , and one of the strangest creatures in Swiss folklore: the Toggeli .

Where is Furrengasse in Lucerne?

Furrengasse is located in the heart of Lucerne’s old town, just a few steps from the town hall and the Reuss River.

By day, it looks like any other historic street.

But at night, when the crowds disappear, the atmosphere changes.

The silence deepens. The shadows grow longer.

And this is when the old stories begin to feel very real.

The Original Legend of the Ghost and the Toggeli

At the beginning of the 17th century, a ghost haunted Furrengasse in Lucerne . A tall, gaunt man with a large, crooked nose would climb the stairs to the town hall square and walk through Furrengasse. Suddenly, he would transform into a towering ghost , as tall as a house, dragging a long tail behind him. The ghost never harmed anyone and disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared.

At the same time, demons of the night — so-called Toggelis — would slip through open windows into the chambers of sleeping people. A Toggeli would sit on the chest of a sleeper, pressing down so heavily that they struggled to breathe.

The Lucerne scholar Renward Cysat explains that the Toggeli corresponds to the “Schrätelin” or the Latin Incubus. The Incubus was described as a “ lover-robber ,” a night spirit who deceives sleepers with the illusion of love and desire.

But a Toggeli could also creep into a woman's dreams, exploring the depths of her mind. It would then deceive the helpless sleeper, making her believe it was the man of her dreams. The dreaming woman would imagine herself in the arms of her beloved, spending a passionate night together. By morning, the Toggeli would vanish, leaving the woman unsure whether she had merely dreamed — or if it had truly happened.

The maids of Lucerne whispered such stories among themselves, but no one ever dared to write them down.

Nearly two centuries later, the Swiss painter Johann Heinrich Füssli — later known as Henry Fuseli — brought this very idea to life in his famous painting The Nightmare, a haunting visual echo of the Lucerne Toggeli.

What is a Toggeli? (Swiss Folklore Explained)

The Toggeli is part of a wider European belief in night spirits .

In many cultures, similar beings exist:

The Incubus in Latin tradition

The “Schräteli” in Swiss-German folklore

Night demons associated with sleep paralysis

These figures reflect a time when people had no scientific explanation for dreams, fear, or the feeling of pressure during sleep.

Today, we might call it sleep paralysis.

Back then, it was something far more terrifying.

Haunted Lucerne: Myth or Reality?

Lucerne is not widely known as a haunted city.
But like many medieval towns, it carries layers of stories beneath its surface.
Places like Furrengasse blur the line between:
history
belief
imagination
Whether you believe in ghosts or not — some places simply feel different.

Experience Lucerne’s Dark Side at Night

During the day, Lucerne is vibrant and full of life.

But at night, the city transforms.

The old town becomes quieter, darker, and closer to what it once was centuries ago.

This is the perfect moment to explore stories like the Toggeli — not just as legends, but in the very streets where they were once told.

�� Discover the Night Watchman City Walking Tour in Lucerne

Step into the past, walk through hidden alleys, and hear the stories that most visitors never discover.

Things to Do in Lucerne at Night

If you are looking for unique evening experiences in Lucerne:

Walk through the quiet old town streets

See the illuminated historic buildings

Or experience the city through its stories on a guided night tour

For those who want more than just sightseeing, exploring Lucerne at night reveals a completely different side of the city.

Ritter Palace Lucerne

Wed, 01 Feb 2017 00:12:28 GMT

The Ritterscher Palace is arguably the most impressive Renaissance palace in old Lucerne. It was commissioned in 1556 by Mayor Lux Ritter.

Lux Ritter amassed great wealth as a mercenary leader and intended to build a residence in the style of the Florentine Renaissance, featuring heavy masonry and exquisite stonework.

Although this style was already a century old in Florence, it was revolutionary for Lucerne. Ritter recruited numerous builders from the South, who created an incomparable structure that has been preserved for centuries.

At that time, Lucerne had no more than 5,000 inhabitants, and most houses were made of wood. There were only a few private stone buildings, such as the still-standing Haus zur Gilgen or the long-demolished Hertenstein House , which was famously decorated with frescoes by Hans Holbein.

A renowned stonemason of the era was Giovanni Lyn , also known as Hans von Trient. He was initially reluctant to work for Lux Ritter. Ultimately, his fervent faith led to disaster: he was accused of heresy, found guilty, and beheaded.

On the day of his execution, Hans von Trient is said to have cursed Lux Ritter. Whether by coincidence or not, Lux Ritter died only a few days later.

At the time of Ritter's death, the three-story palace with its open courtyard was about two-thirds complete. His heirs were unable to continue the project, so the City of Lucerne took over and finished the construction.

Then came the era of Ludwig Pfyffer von Altishofen , who became the most powerful man in Lucerne. He ruled with such authority that he was nicknamed the "Swiss King."

In 1578, Pfyffer handed the building over to the Jesuits, whom he had invited to Lucerne. They established a church on the ground floor, as seen on the Martiniplan (the city map by Martin Martini). This church was later replaced by the larger Jesuit Church nearby. Martini’s copper engraving also shows that the courtyard was originally open to the south.

Following the Sonderbundskrieg of 1847 (the Swiss civil war), the Jesuits were expelled from Lucerne and Switzerland. All Jesuit property was seized by the state. Consequently, the Ritterscher Palace became the government building (Regierungsgebäude) of the Canton of Lucerne.

The third floor of the building houses the famous "Dance of Death" paintings by Jakob von Wyl. You can discover them during a ' Medieval City Walk ' or a ' Nightwatchman Tour ' .

Visitor Information

The building is generally open to the public from Monday to Friday. However, it may be closed at any time for official government events or state receptions.
Admission is free.
When visiting, please respect the fact that the offices of the Cantonal Administration are located around the courtyard. You are kindly requested to keep noise to a minimum .

The Martini Plan of Lucerne: A Renaissance Masterpiece

Sat, 16 Jul 2016 21:59:38 GMT

The city of Lucerne has several beautiful medieval maps, but one of the most fascinating is the Martini Plan of Lucerne , created in 1597 . It is considered one of the finest copper engravings of its time.

What makes the Martini Plan so charming is that geometric accuracy was not Martini’s priority . Instead, he adjusted reality in order to present the city in the most pleasing way. Some details are hidden, others enlarged. The houses appear slightly smaller, while the streets and squares are shown a little wider — inviting the viewer to wander through them with their eyes.

And then Martini brings the city to life. He populates the map with people: ladies in elegant hats strolling through the streets, and men with staffs crossing the market squares . The city is not just drawn — it is inhabited.

You can explore the Martini Plan on Wikimedia Commons:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Martiniplan_Luzern.jp

Another fascinating old map of Lucerne is the Schumacher Plan of 1790.

Map key on the Martiniplan

1. Gütsch
2. Gütsch Tower
3. Senti Gate, St. Antonius Church
4. Pfründer Hospital and lower Languish House
5. Municipal Wood House
6. Municipal Hospital St. Jakob
7. Crossbow and Shooting Club House und Kuzweil Square
8. St. Anna Hospital
9. Riflemen Club
10. Basler Gate, Custom House, Oat Tower
11. Municipal Smith House
12. Jew Tower, Grain Store
13. Arsenal
14. Pfistergasse
15. Bruchgasse
16. Bruchtor, Gasse um den Burggraben (heute Hirschengraben)
17. Kesselturm
18. Ketzerturm (
19. Obergrundstrasse
20. Krienser Gate
21. Inn zum Schlüssel
22. Bartüssergasse und Platz
23. Barefooter (Franciscan) Abbey and Church
24. Schmiedgasse
25. Burger Gate, Krienbach (Creek) und Brüggli
26. Münzgasse (Mint Lane)
27. Heiliggeistspital und Kirche (Holy Ghose Hospital and Church)
28. Jesuitenkirche und Kollegium (Jesuit Church and Convent)
29. Jesuitengymnasium, Gasse und Platz (Jesuit Gymnasium)
30. Kropfgasse und Tor
31. Frauenturm (Women Tower)
32. Freienhof
33. Kapellbrücke mit Wasserturm (Chapel Bridge with Water Tower)
34. St. Peterskapelle (St. Peters Chapel)
35. Zurgilgenhaus und Turm (Zurgilgen House and Tower)
36. Wyghaus des Klosters Engelberg
37. Herberge der römischen Kaiser und der österreichischen Fürsten
38. Rat- und Richthaus, darunter Korn-, Kaufhaus und Ankenmarkt
39. Eggstiege
40. Haus der Gesellschaft zu Pfistern, darunter Obstmarkt
41. Haus der Gesellschaft zu Schneidern
42. Markt an der Fischerstatt
43. Haus der Gesellschaft zu Schützen und zu Fritschi, darunter Metzg
44. Reussbrücke und Reussgässli
45. Kramgasse mit der Apotheke (Kramgasse and Pharmacy / Pillory)
46. Fisch- oder Weinmarkt
47. Kornmarkt
48. Furrengasse
49. Kapellgasse und Platz
50. Sust und Kornhaus
51. Hoftor, Aufgang zur Hofbrücke
52. Vordere Ledergasse und Ledertor (heute Gerbergasse)
53. Hintere Ledergasse und Ledertor
54. Rosengartenturm
55. Gasse unter den Bäumen, Schwesternhaus (heute Sternenplatz)
56. Weggistor, lnneres Weggistor oder schwarzer Turm
57. Grabengasse
58. Graggentor
59. Neuer Platz
60. Alter Rossmarkt
61. Mühlenplatz
62. Mühlentor
63. Harnischer- und Poliererhaus
64. Spreuerbrücke mit Mühlen und Schleife
65. Roter Turm mit Lindentor (heute Nölliturm)
66. Männliturm
67. Luegisland
68. Wacht- oder Heuturm
69. Zeitturm
70, Schirmertor
71. Pulverturm
72. Allenwindenturm
73. Dächliturm
74. Ausseres Weggistor
75. Weggisgasse (heute Hertensteinstrasse)
76. Löwengraben
77. Cysathaus und Kapelle
78. Mariahilfgasse
79. Seegraben
80. Hoftor in der Vorstadt
81. Stift St. Leodegar und Mauritius
82. Propstei
83. Leutpriesterei
84. Hofschule
85. St. Leonhardskapelle und Beinhaus
86. Tor zum Kirchhof
87. Predigerstatt, Platz unter den Linden
88. Hofgasse in der Vorstadt
89. St. Antonius Kapelle
90. Heiliges Kreuz
91. Kapuzinerkloster
92. Dietschiberg
93. Road to Einsiedeln
94. Jesuiter-Baumgarten
95. Municipal Boat House

.

The Water Tower of the Chapel Bridge

Thu, 24 Sep 2015 23:34:47 GMT

The Water Tower in Lucerne was built around 1300 as a watchtower . At that time, Lucerne was under Habsburg rule . The wooden Chapel Bridge followed a few decades later in 1365.

The tower is octagonal . It is 34.5 metres (113 feet) high , has a circumference of 38 metres (125 feet) , and the walls are up to 4 metres (13 feet) thick .

Top Floor — Former Torture Chamber

Luzerner Schilling 1513, Folio 129v, S.262

Today, the top floor beneath the roof is used by the Ornithological Society for bird observation.
In the Middle Ages , this room was used for torture during “embarrassing interrogations.”
During the French occupation (1798–1804) it also served as a military prison for deserters .

Second Floor — Salon

On the second floor , there is the salon of the Artillery Association .
In earlier centuries, this room housed the treasury chamber of the Republic of Lucerne .

The Secret Chamber

Between the second and first floor there is a secret chamber , constructed after the theft of the state treasury . When it was rediscovered around 1900 , the chamber was found empty .

First Floor — Weapon Collection

The Dungeon

In the middle of the room there is a shaft leading 6 metres (20 feet) down to the dungeon .

The large stone lid was used to close the opening. Prisoners were lowered into the dungeon by rope , after which the lid was closed, leaving them in darkness. Food was passed through a small hole in the lid .

The conditions of imprisonment in the dungeon were extremely harsh. Therefore, it was mainly used as a temporary interrogation prison .

Long-term prisoners were kept elsewhere — in one of the 30 towers that Lucerne possessed during the Middle Ages.

Hans of Trient, the Unlucky Stonemason

Wed, 26 Aug 2015 23:59:16 GMT

The story of what happened in Lucerne in May 1559 . It is about

Hans von Trient , the stonemason
Lux Ritter , the mayor and mercenary leader
The Ritterscher Palace in Lucerne

Before reading this, please note that the story is told as it appears in the Wickiana by Johann Jakob Wick . Wick was a Reformed priest at the Grossmünster in Zurich . At that time, Catholic Lucerne and Reformed Zurich were enemies and fought each other.
Despite the confessional hostility between Zurich and Lucerne, the Wickiana remains an important — and one of the only — sources about Hans von Trient.

Ritterscher Palace — seat of the government of the Canton of Lucerne

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Schultheiss (mayor) Lux Ritter planned to build a huge palace. If God had not shortened his life, and the house had not only been built up to a fathom above the ground, there would have been nothing comparable in the Confederation nor in the German lands.

Wherever Lux Ritter heard of excellent craftsmen, he called them to work for him. So he did not want to miss Hans von Trient , an outstanding stonemason.

Hans came to Lucerne to speak with Lux Ritter and discuss the conditions. When everything seemed settled, Hans mentioned that he belonged to another religion and that it might be dangerous for his life to come to Catholic Lucerne. Therefore, he said, he was forced to refuse the offer.

Lux Ritter replied: Do not worry. Remain silent and do not speak about your religion to others, and no harm or disadvantage will come to you.

So Hans agreed, and they made a contract stating that his salary would consist of:

4 crowns per week
Meals at the table of Lux Ritter
Accommodation
Everything else needed for daily life

Both were satisfied, and Hans gladly began his work.

Then it happened that Lux Ritter was called to arms by the King of France . Lux told Hans to continue the work while he was away.

Lux needed someone to look after the house, since he had driven his wife away. He therefore asked Hans von Trient to manage the household during his absence, and offered to increase his salary by 2 crowns per week for that time.
Hans agreed gladly and continued his work. Lux went to war in Picardy, France .

Lux returned 14 weeks later , and the payment of wages became due. At the same time, the Musegg Walls procession took place, and a pastor from Hertenstein was in town. After the procession, Lux invited the priest to a mea l. So Lux , the priest , and Hans had supper together.

When Lux had eaten and drunk well, he began to provoke Hans.
He asked him to explain his religion, and requested that the priest question him about it.

Hans replied that he was not there to dispute matters of faith, and that he had been promised freedom.
Lux Ritter became angry and, after drinking more, declared to the priest that Hans was a heretic who would not confess.

Later, Lux regretted what he had said — but he could not take it back.

Then Hans von Trient became angry and demanded leave and payment of the wages owed to him. Lux Ritter refused to pay the additional 28 crowns accumulated during his absence, and told Hans to be content with their original agreement. Hans refused — so they went before the Council (which also served as court).

When Hans presented his claim before the council, Lux Ritter stood up and accused him of being a heretic. Other council members politely urged Lux to pay what was owed and allow the craftsman to go his way. But this did not happen.

Instead, the council was compelled to arrest Hans von Trient and begin an inquiry. He was imprisoned in the Water Tower on the Chapel Bridge .

According to the Wickiana, Lucerne spread lies about Hans von Trient .
In the end, Hans was found guilty and sentenced to death on the Monday before White Sunday in 1559 .

Hans praised the Lord and asked for new and fine clothes to be brought to the Water Tower. Dressed in them, he listened to his sentence.

On the way to the execution site, as they passed the house of Lux Ritter , Hans stopped, looked at the building and said:

If I had not asked for what was mine,
this would not have happened to me.
Mayor Ritter is guilty of my death.
You will never finish this house,
and in three days you will do as I do now.

At the execution site the priests spoke insistently to Hans, but he did not listen.
Fearlessly, he looked around, knelt, looked toward heaven and said:

Jesus of Nazareth,
have mercy on me.
According to Your will I suffer this death.

Then he stretched out his head — and it fell.

Three days later, Lux Ritter died. A strong fever overcame him.
He had eaten and drunk excessively, and in his drunkenness he (and his servants) jumped into the cold water during early Mass.

Returning home, he took a warm bath. After some time in the tub, a violent fever struck him, and it seemed that he would die at once. He became rigid and passed away seven hours later.

After his death, Lux Ritter was fined 4,000 crowns by the council of Lucerne for cutting more wood than he was permitted to take.

As recorded in the Wickiana (F12, fols. 21–22a) by Johann Jakob Wick, Zentralbibliothek Zürich.

The Medieval Window of the Alte Suidtersche Apotheke

Mon, 10 Nov 2014 10:27:53 GMT

The Alte Suidtersche Apotheke (Old Suidtersche Pharmacy) was founded in 1833, and parts of the interior haven't changed since then. Customers from near and far are served in an antique setting. The pharmacy also offers its own house specialties, such as the well-known "Mother and Child" skin balm.

The real highlight, however, is the medieval display window. During the day, you can hardly see anything because there are no lights on inside. But at night, a medieval pharmacy is revealed. You can see shelves filled with jars and containers featuring labels and symbols, bones, jawbones with teeth, an old medical book, and an eagle owl. Hanging from the ceiling are dried remedies, wood, roots, a pufferfish, and the "Pilatus Dragon."

On the right side, there is a fireplace and a medieval pharmacist's laboratory, much like the ones alchemists used to use.

Also, make sure to take a look at the old front door area with its wrought-iron poppy decorations.

I don't know who to thank, but I think it’s wonderful that someone decided not to use this space for commercial purposes and instead gives us a glimpse into a medieval pharmacy. I hope it stays this way for a long time.

The Schellenwerk – Forced Labor in the 18th Century

Sat, 25 Oct 2014 00:21:37 GMT

Around the 18th century, a new idea appeared: minor offenders were made to work for the public. This punishment was called “Schellenwerk.”

The word “Schelle” means clamp . People sentenced to the Schellenwerk were put in chains, and the chains had metal clamps that made noise. They also had to wear a heavy iron neck ring with a large clip, called the “beak.” This made them easy to see and hear.

During the day, the Schellenwerker had to do hard physical work, such as construction work or repairing the dam. In winter, this often meant standing in cold river water.

At night, they were locked into the Weggistor , a gate at the end of today’s Hertensteinstrasse.

Historical reports say that the Schellenwerk was also used to force lazy or work-shy young adults to work.

Schellenwerker neck ring with beak, Historical Museum Lucerne

The Pillory of Medieval Lucerne

Sat, 20 Sep 2014 22:16:00 GMT

In the Middle Ages, every city had a pillory. It was used to punish minor crimes. The offender was chained to the pillory for a certain time so that the people could mock him, spit on him, and throw dirt at him. Being “put in the pillory” was a punishment of shame. Beatings, branding, and mutilations were also carried out at the pillory. For people sentenced to death, the pillory was only one stop on the painful way to execution.

In Lucerne, a pillar pillory stood in the lower part of the old fish market. The iron neck rings that belonged to it are shown in the Historical Museum. The pillory itself no longer exists, but it can be seen in the Martini Plan of 1597.

In the 13th century, the Habsburgs allowed the authorities of Lucerne to hold their own court. The legal basis for this was the “Geschworener Brief” (Sworn Letter) of 1251, which was expanded over time.

At first, judgments were made outdoors under the linden tree, where the pillory also stood. Later, the court moved into the neighboring house, which is today the Hotel des Balances. Court and council were the same, because the council also acted as the court.

Even later, sentences were announced here on the open square, while the offender was placed in the pillory. The restaurant “Rotes Gatter” refers to the “blood-red” barrier of high justice. The restaurant “Zur Linde” also stands on the square, and in front of it a linden tree was planted again in 1978.

Further information:
The nearest remaining pillory is located at the town hall of Sursee ( image, Wikimedia ) .

Iron neck ring of the pillory in Lucerne – Historical Museum of Lucerne.

The Guillotine of Lucerne

Mon, 18 Aug 2014 23:58:55 GMT

At the end of the 18th century, the French invasion brought French law to Switzerland. Criminal law in Lucerne was reformed. The pillory, branding, and whipping were abolished. For executions, the guillotine was introduced.

The guillotine was unpopular in Switzerland. It was seen as cold and foreign. The sword was considered noble and honorable, and for a time executions returned to the sword.

Eventually, the guillotine became the standard method. Executions were no longer public and took place in the prison yard on Baselstrasse.

At first, Lucerne did not own a guillotine and had to borrow one. Later, the city bought a guillotine and lent it to other parts of Switzerland. The last five executions in Switzerland were carried out with this guillotine. Today it is displayed in the Historical Museum of Lucerne.

The last civilian execution in Lucerne took place in 1910. Anselm Wütschert was executed by guillotine. The last civilian execution in Switzerland took place in 1940, when Hans Vollenweider was executed in Sarnen with the Lucerne guillotine. After that, the guillotine was no longer used.

The Guillotine at the Historical Museum of Lucerne

The model of the Guillotine at the Historical Museum of Lucerne

Lucerne Stories & Travel Tips by the Night Watchman

Best things to Do in Lucerne in the Evening

Looking for the best things to do in Lucerne in the evening?

Why Lucerne Is Worth Exploring in the Evening

Take a Night Watchman Tour in Lucerne’s Old Town

More Things to Do in Lucerne in the Evening

Visit the Mountains in the evening

Take an Easy Evening Walk

Where to Go for a Drink

My Personal Tip

Final Thoughts

Lake Lucerne Cruise with a Paddle Steamer

Why a Steamship Ride is Special

How to Find Paddle Steamer Connections

What you need to know

Best ways to find the Steamer Connections

Practical Tips for Your Cruise

﻿ Flexible stopovers (hop-on hop-off)

1st and 2nd class on board

Seat reservations

Featured Steamship: DS Unterwalden

Things to Do in Lucerne – Best Attractions and Tips

What are the best things to do in Lucerne?

What are the best mountain excursions from Lucerne?

Are there regular city bus tours?

I don’t want to walk much. Are there tours without walking?

Final Thoughts

Lucerne in Pictures: The Gates to the Hof Bridge and the Boat Landing - Xaver Schwegler

The House "Zur Gilgen" and its Gothic Round Tower

A medieval tower becomes a stone house

Special features of the building

The house also contains the oldest private library in Switzerland still preserved in its original location.

Changing times

Today

Details on the tower

Sources (all in German)

Lucerne in Pictures: The Nölliturm — Joseph Clemens Kaufmann, 1901

The Little Earth Man on the Kastelen Alp

The Earth Fairy and the Poor Widow

The Pilatus Legend – or How the Mountain Got Its Name

The Historical Fear of Pilatus

The Pilatus Legend – The Judgment and the Curse ﻿

The Spirit in the Mountain Lake

How Not to Disturb the Spirit

The Fight Against Superstition

Today We Know: Where the Name Pilatus Comes From ﻿

The Theft of the State Treasury

﻿ The Hole in the Attic

The Loan with Bad Consequences

Sand instead of Guilders

The Hunt

The Price of Betrayal

Sentenced and Disappeared

The Legend of the Lucerne War Horns

What was this "Harsthorn"? ﻿

Legend vs. Reality ﻿

What happened to the real horns?

The Giant of Reiden

A Giant for the Whole City

﻿

A Scholar Solves the Riddle

The Executioner's Code

﻿ The Big Moment

The Execution Place Sentimatt in Lucerne

Location of the Sentimatt Execution Place

The Sentimatt Execution Place on the Schumacher Plan

Picture in the Diebold Schilling Chronicle

Second Execution Place from the Middle of the 16th Century

The Story of Turst

Source

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How long is the Visitor Card valid?

When do I receive my Visitor Card?

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