What to do · Lucerne
Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) and Water Tower
Information
- Price
- Free
- Duration
- 20 min
- Season
- All year
- Who it's for
- All ages; wheelchair accessible
- With a dog
- On a lead; it is a very busy public crossing
What it is
Chapel Bridge, the Kapellbrücke, crosses the River Reuss diagonally right where it leaves the lake, in the heart of Lucerne. It is a wooden footbridge, covered with a gabled roof, and is about 650 years old. Halfway across it rests on the Water Tower, the Wasserturm, an octagonal stone tower 34.5 m high with a perimeter of 39 m, older than the bridge itself: it dates from around 1290–1300 and was part of the city's defences.
Crossing it is free and it is always open. It is the first sight you will see in Lucerne, because it is five minutes' walk from the railway station.
The roof paintings
Look up. Under the roof, in the triangles of the beams, hang painted panels with scenes from the city's history and its patron saints. The programme was completed in 1611 by Renward Cysat, the city clerk. There were originally 158; before the fire of 1993, 147 remained.
The fire of 1993
On the night of 18 August 1993 the bridge burned. Only the two ends of the bridge and the Water Tower were saved, and the fire reached 110 of the paintings. It was rebuilt quickly and reopened on 14 April 1994. That is why you will see stretches of pale timber next to dark ones, and gaps where panels are missing.
How to visit
Enter from the station side, near the Jesuit Church, cross to the Kapellplatz and come back by the other wooden bridge over the Reuss, the Spreuerbrücke, downstream, on a half-hour walk through the old town. First thing in the morning there are few people and the light slants across the paintings. At dusk, the bridge and the tower are lit up and reflected in the water.
The lake boats leave from the landing stage by the station; the bridge features in the departure photo of almost all of them.
Tips
- Go early Before nine you cross almost alone and can look at the panels at leisure.
- Take your photo from the Rathausquai From the town hall bank you get the whole bridge with the tower and, on clear days, Pilatus behind.
- Carry on to the Spreuerbrücke It is the other covered wooden bridge over the Reuss, downstream, and it completes the walk as a loop.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to pay to cross Chapel Bridge?
No. It is a public crossing, free and open all day.
How long do I need?
Five minutes to cross it and about twenty if you stop at the paintings; half an hour if you come back by the Spreuerbrücke.
Can I cross with a wheelchair or pushchair?
Yes, the tourist office lists it as accessible.
Why are some paintings missing?
Because many of the panels were lost or damaged in the fire of 1993.
With young childrenAs a familyWith a dog
