Lucerne, Switzerland

Our next destination after visiting Lugano was Lucerne, which is another city in central Switzerland, the most highly populated in fact. Lucerne is regarded more highly compared to the rest of the cities in Switzerland in terms of tourism. This is hardly surprising considering the fact that it offers many scenic landscapes - of mountains and lakes and medieval structures, not to mention a different kind of landscape for crazy shoppers like me - rows and rows of retail outlets with plenty of choices for anything at all you could name! *Woohoo!* Also worth the mention is that two of the most famous landmarks of Switzerland are here - the Lion Monument, which is the oldest figurative monument in Switzerland and the Chapel Bridge or Kappelbrucke which was built in the 14th century...yes, very historical and old.

The Lion Monument, carved into a former sandstone quarry wall

We stopped at a small park near a place called Lowenplatz to catch a glimpse of the mournful lion. It wasn't such an incredible structure from afar, and I did wonder momentarily why all the fuss over the statue of a mere lion that we had to walk such a distance in the drizzle and cold, past puddles of water and cut through the park to get to it.

I was forced to eat my thoughts word for word upon setting eyes on it. Words could never describe how humanly expressive the features of the dying lion, that it evoked such an emotion even in a person who was as detached from Switzerland's history as I was. It just made you want to...cry...the air seemed thick with the city's melancholic past.

The lion was carved from the rock of a cliff, its head bowed and a broken spear sticking in its shoulder. So what is the significance of this monument? I'm a sucker for stories just like anyone else, especially stories attached to such an artistic piece like the Lion Monument. History has it that the monument was erected by an officer who survived the 1792 massacre during the French Revolution, just because he was off-duty...saved by the bell, literally.

Hundreds of Swiss Guards who were not so lucky were killed defending Marie Antoinette when revolutionaries stormed into Paris, France back then, never knowing that the royals they were defending had long fled. How tragic is that? *sniff*

Writer Mark Twain regarded the Lion Monument as "the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world" and I agree ever so completely!

Throwing a coin for good luck


Another shot of the poor dying lion in his lair... *blows nose* RIP, brave soldiers of yore!


We headed to the hotel for check-in after that...I think it is called Hotel Flora, not bad, as you can see here, very cozy! And you could walk to the shopping places and the famed bridge from here without breaking a leg or two.


Taking a walk around Lucerne city was quite fun despite the constant drizzle, which did not stop until we left. I suppose it's one of those times when one would not mind getting wet just to soak up the foreign experience. The Chapel Bridge or Kappelbrucke is a medieval structure located at the junction of the river and the lake of Lucerne (also known as Vierwaldstättersee, or Lake of the Four Forest Cantons, what an interesting and dreamy name for a lake indeed!!) The main feature of the wooden bridge is the octagonal water tower or the Wasserturm, which used to serve as a light house, or a lucerna - this is where the city got its name in fact! The bridge which was built in 1333 is 204 meters in length and you will see a series of paintings all along from one end to the other, which is a pictorial chronicle of the city's history.

Side view of the Kappelbrucke, with the water tower


A clearer shot of the water tower

Oh, and I forgot to mention that this bridge is actually the newer version of that built in the 14th century...all thanks to one smart smoker who threw his cigarette butt and started a fire that ravaged much of the poor bridge back in 1993. Brilliant restoration though, it looked well preserved enough to me.

Walking around Lucerne on a rainy day...posing with a time machine/ ancient clock.

Choccies galore...even the cars advertise them!

Drinking fountains are aplenty here too...just like in Italy.


More chocolates to tempt the window shopper... *salivates*

My Swiss mate. *giggles*


Strolling by the Lake of Lucerne...the paddleboats did not quite entice in the rain. :(

A swan swimming on the clear lake

On a bridge over the Lake of Lucerne

A better shot of the Kappelbrucke...the gulls added a much needed 'marine' ambience to the scenery, didn't they?

Camwhoring around the Kappelbrucke haha

Ice cream in a bun...or some sort like it *slurps*

Uni-unicorn! Don't we just love mythical creatures?

A weapon shop... *shivers*

More weapons...What's so fascinating that we had to stop and camwhore for so long at this spot, taking pictures of potentially life-endangering weapons of destruction??? Sigh. --___-- *Men*

At one of the cafes, having an apple pie...very, very delicious!

And who could do without the hot choccies...?

Cute display at the local supermarket

Sex shops...yes, many of these as well here... *oops*

Another one

In the belly of the Kappelbrucke...don't anybody dare smoke here while I'm passing through!!

Our cozy little hotel

At the lobby before heading out again...we couldn't get enough of shopping! Swiss pocket-knife fanatics, Lucerne is where you go on a rampage and get your best deals!

Inside our room

Dinner of pasta and grilled salmon ...yummers...

A last shot of the water tower before leaving Lucerne