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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Region | Canton of Lucerne | |
| Population | approx. 75mil | |
| High | approx. 450m | |
Lucerne (German Luzern, france Lucerne, Italian and Romansh Lucerne) is the capital of the eponymous canton en Switzerland. It lies on the edge of the Lake Quark, at the foot of the Mount Pilate.
Understand
History
In the place where today Lucerne is located, the monastery was founded in the year 710 St. Leodegar, which still stands in the city, though no longer with the original building. The area was named after medieval documents Luciaria (Latin: "containing pike").
Only around 1180 was the city founded, next to the monastery. It prospered due to the proximity to the important trade route that passed the Alps through St. Gotthard. (It is noteworthy that this road became passable by carts only after the construction of the "Devil's Bridge"over the river Reuss in 1230; the Romans used other mountain passes.)
In 1332 Lucerne joined the Swiss Confederation, created in 1291 by the three cantons Urio, Switzerland and Unterwald. Later, he joined the federation Zurich and other cities and places, creating the early Switzerland.
In the 16th century many Swiss cities accepted Protestantism Reformation, but Lucerne, like some mountainous cantons, remained Catholic. As a result, wars broke out between the Catholic and Protestant cantons (1531, 1656, 1712) with unequal results.
Today Lucerne is the capital of the canton of the same name, one of the 26 cantons of the Swiss Confederation.
Climate
Winters are cold, but not particularly cold: often the temperature exceeds zero during the hottest hours even in January. Summers are hot, but not hot, with cool nights (minimum temperature usually below 15 ° C).
It rains in all seasons, but more abundantly in summer. Usually, January contains 9-10 days with rain or snow, July 12-13.
Access
Aliri avie
The nearest airport is in Zurich (approx. 70km). From this airport it is possible to reach Lucerne by car, bus or train (there are frequent trains).
Access by train
There are frequent trains to Lucerne, also without changes:
- from Zurich (approx. 50min)
- from Zurich airport (approx. 1h10)
- of Basel (1h - 1h30)
- from Geneva (approx. 3h)
Access bus
Access by car
Access by ship
It is possible to reach Lucerne by boat from the remaining towns on the shores of Lake Lucerne.
Tables and further information can be found on the website of SVG (German, French, English).
Access by bicycle
Lucerne is located at the crossroads of two major national cycle routes of Switzerland, number 3 (Basel-Chiasso, Swiss section of Eurovel-5, London-Brindisi) and number 9 (Montreux-Rohrschach); also the number 4 is near. Information is available for example at Schweizmobil, in 4 languages.
From Basel to Lucerne by number 3 is approx. 110km (the national road shows 2 stages). From Geneva to Lucerne by number 1 number 9 is approx. 355 km, a very beautiful road through mountains and lakes (7-8 stages; the road climbs twice over 1000m).
Additionally there are many more minor bike paths.
Access to the foot
To move
Walk
Lucerne is not a big city, so it is usually possible to reach all the desired places on foot. Only a few tourist destinations need more than 20 minutes from the center.
Bicycles
It is possible to borrow bicycles (also with an electric helper) at the Central Station and elsewhere, or to share a bicycle. Information can be found, for example, on websites Rent-A-Bike (germany france angle), Schweitzmobil (germany france itale angle), NextBike (German angle).
Public transport
Drive a car
See
Fari
Boating on the lake.
Reach the top of Mount Pilate by cable car or toothpick train (or even on foot, if you like!).
