Lucerne is the most populous town in Central Switzerland, and a nexus of economics, transportation, culture, and media of this region. Owing to its location on the shores of Lake Lucerne and its outflow, the river Reuss, within sight of the mounts Pilatus and Rigi in the Swiss Alps, Lucerne has long been a destination for tourists. One of the city’s famous landmarks is the Chapel Bridge, a wooden bridge first erected in the 14th century. The official language of Lucerne is (the Swiss variety of Standard) German, but the main spoken language is the local variant of the Alemannic Swiss German dialect. The climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round.
History: After the fall of the Roman Empire beginning in the 6th century, Germanic Alemannic people’s increased their influence on this area of present-day Switzerland. Around 750 the Benedictine Monastery of St. Leodegar was founded, which was later acquired by Murbach Abbey in Alsace in the middle of the 9th century, and by this time the area had become known as Luciaria. In 1178 Lucerne acquired its independence from the jurisdiction of Murbach Abbey, and the founding of the city proper probably occurred that same year. The city gained importance as a strategically located gateway for the growing commerce from the Gotthard trade route. Among the growing towns of the confederacy, Lucerne was especially popular in attracting new residents. As the confederacy broke up during Reformation after 1520, most cities became Protestant, but Lucerne remained Catholic. After the victory of the Catholics over the Protestants in the Battle at Kappel in 1531, the Catholic towns dominated the confederacy. The future, however, belonged to the Protestant cities like Zürich, Bern and Basel, which defeated the Catholics in the 1712 Toggenburg War. The former prominent position of Lucerne in the confederacy was lost forever. In the 16th and 17th centuries, wars and epidemics became steadily less frequent and as a result, the population of the country increased strongly.
*(All the above information are from Wikipedia.)
Transport:
Airport: The nearest major airport is Zurich Airport (ZRH / LSZH). Lucerne is at a distance of 60 mins train journey from Zurich airport.
Rail: Lucerne can be reached easily from nearly every other city in Switzerland using the Swiss Federal Railway. There are hourly trains from Olten and Zurich Airport and half-hourly trains from Zurich, and a direct train every hour from Bern. The “Zentralbahn” branch of the Swiss Federal Railway provides also hourly trains between Interlaken and Luzern during the daytime.
Tips: It is advisable to get the swiss rail pass done in advance so that travelling throughout Switzerland becomes free and also hassle free.
Road: There are no intercity buses in Switzerland as the train system provides ample connections to many destinations in Switzerland. To make trips to the countryside in the mountains where there are no trains. Lucerne has an efficient bus network. It covers the city and the suburbs.
Ferry: Lucerne sits at the north end of the Vierwaldstättersee, one of the busiest waterways in Switzerland, for travel information from Schwyz, Flüelen, Weggis, and outbound points see the schedule at the Schifffahrt Vierwaldstättersee.
Local: Taxis are available from either train station and most hotels. With the guest card from your hotel, you can travel around for free.
Tourist Interest:
The Chapel Bridge: The Chapel Bridge, a landmark of Lucerne, is said to be the oldest wood bridge of Europe. The Bridge is made of wood and was built in 14th century as a protection for the city.
The Swiss Transport Museum: With its large collection of trains, planes, automobiles, and motorcycles this museum of means of transport is a great place to spend an afternoon. If you get tired of the real train engines you can check out the model railroad or the miniature working steam train. The air section also features several space travel exhibits, including an unused project Mercury capsule.
The other places of interest in and near Lucerne are Church of St. Leodegar, Bourbaki Panorama, The Glacier Garden, The Richard Wagner Museum, Mt. Titlis and more.
Tour Planner:
This tour planner is made on the basis of the location of the destinations. One can make changes as per their interest, convenience and accessibility and duration of the trip.
Day 1: Arrive Lucerne in the morning and get around the city and the nearby places of attraction.
Day 2: Visit Mt. Titlis
Hotels: Among many hotels in Lucerne some are Hotel Spatz, The Tourist City & River Hotel, Richemont Hotel, Lion Lodge and more.