Luzern (Lucerne) - the perfect combination of city, lake and mountain in one place. Luzern is the largest city in central Switzerland and located on the northwestern shore of Lake Luzern. Luzern a beautiful, peaceful town, enchanting with its narrow cobbled streets and covered bridges. An interesting detail about Luzern is the fact that it is one of the most environmentally run cities in Switzerland. This city receives a significant amount of funding - millions of euros annually - for sound green projects. Luzern (Lucerne) is often referred to as the "City of Light" because of a legend that tells how an angel pointed out with a light to the first settlers where they should build a chapel in honour of Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors and fishermen.

Luzern started out as a small fishing village, but eventually developed into an important crossing point, whose importance increased considerably after the opening of the Gotthard Pass. After the beginning of the 19th century, tourism took an important place in the town's livelihood and began to play a crucial role in its development. Today, Luzern (Lucerne) attracts more and more tourists to its fascinating sights, attractions, cultural events and wonderful places for relaxation and recreation.

Overall, Luzern is a small city that can be easily explored on foot. Rather, the heart of the city beats in its lovely Old Town, which is charming with its painted houses, and is located on the north bank of the River Reuss. Luzern's old centre can be reached by starting at the train station and crossing the medieval Capel Bridge. The medieval appearance of Luzern (Lucerne) is something that has been preserved for years. In the past, there were many fortifications here that defended the city. Today, the historic houses are still in place and their facades are painted with frescoes or covered with sgraffito decoration. The old town of Luzern has let the spirit of the new times settle into its streets though - this place is a bustling shopping centre with many shops, restaurants and cafes.

Luzern is a city dotted with many beautiful, remarkable and memorable landscapes and views. One of the places that offer some of the most impressive views of the picturesque squares, churches, chapels and patrician houses are the fortifications to the north. A pleasant walk east of the Luzern (Lucerne) Strait can include visits to interesting buildings and museums, among which the Renaissance Hofkirche and the Wagner Museum stand out.

It is no exaggeration to say that Luzern is one of the most beautiful and unique cities in Switzerland. The city of Luzern (Lucerne) has all those advantages that make Switzerland popular around the world - views of picturesque mountains, lakes, alpine villages and meadows on which the famous Swiss cows graze undisturbed. Today, Luzern is a popular tourist destination because it attracts with the beautiful Swiss countryside all around, made up of the peaks of the Swiss Alps Pilatus and Rigi, because of the endless possibilities for recreation on Lake Luzern, but most of all because of the unique old architecture and well-preserved old town, which is an incredible maze of squares and cobbled streets, a colourful palette of pedestrian areas and medieval houses.

Luzern (Lucerne) is proud of its historical heritage, with the octagonal water tower, the Town Hall, the Hof Church, the Jesuit Church, one of the finest Baroque churches in the country, and the Franciscan Church, considered the most beautiful Gothic church in central Switzerland, standing out among Luzern's important historical monuments. Of particular interest is the Ritterche Palace, which dates back to the late Renaissance. Emblematic of Luzern (Lucerne) are the covered medieval bridges and especially the Capelbrücke, dating from 1365 and letting the Water Tower rise right in its midst. This bridge topped the list of the most visited and popular tourist attractions in the world in 2010. The Kapelbrücke is the oldest and longest covered wooden bridge in Europe, reaching 204 m in length. Another famous bridge in the city is the wooden covered Spörbrücke, also known as the "Bridge of the Dance of the Dead" for its 67 thematic paintings by the artist Caspar Meglinger.

A must-visit in Luzern (Lucerne) is the Glacier Garden or the Glacier Garden. This unique natural phenomenon is a symbol of Luzern and has become one of the city's prides. A unique collection displays exhibits from the last glacial period, shell fossils and palm fronds that tell the story of the local land 20 million years ago.

Also of interest in Luzern (Lucerne) are Swan Square, Hirschenplatz, the Lion Monument, the Wagner Museum, Lake Firwaldstättersee, the Palace of Culture and Congresses, and the Museum of Mirrors, which was built back in 1899 and offers over 90 different mirrors.

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