What is this place

The Glacier Garden in Lucerne is a geological park-museum next to the Lion Monument. It combines glacier potholes with evidence of a subtropical sea, illustrating dramatic climate shifts in Central Switzerland.

Key features

  • Sixteen glacier potholes formed by meltwater ~20,000 years ago – the site’s natural core.
  • Subtropical shoreline traces ~20 million years old – fossil shells and palm leaf imprints in Lucerne sandstone.
  • “Alhambra” mirror maze – 51 mirrors, built for the 1896 National Exhibition, in Lucerne since 1899.
  • Franz Ludwig Pfyffer’s “Relief of Original Switzerland” 1762–1786 – among the world’s oldest large-scale relief models, approx. 6.6×3.9 m.
  • “Felsenwelt” and the Sandstone Pavilion opened 16.07.2021 – an underground rock walk linking to the upper garden (Sommerau) via stairs and lift; most areas are step-free.

What to see

  • Glacier potholes and open rock cuts with explanations of glacial dynamics.
  • “Felsenwelt” – the subterranean sandstone gallery with media and an exit to the Sommerau viewpoint.
  • The Swiss House museum, the Pfyffer relief and the Moorish-style “Alhambra” mirror maze.

History

On 2 November 1872, local resident Josef Wilhelm Amrein-Troller uncovered the potholes while digging a wine cellar. He opened the museum on 1 May 1873; excavations continued until 1876.

In the late 19th century, the complex grew with the Swiss House and, from 1899, the mirror maze. In 2019–2021, the Miller & Maranta extension created “Felsenwelt” and the Sandstone Pavilion, connecting the underground route to the upper park.

Practical information

Location: Denkmalstrasse 4, 6006 Lucerne – beside the Lion Monument.

Getting there: 15–20 minutes on foot from Luzern station via Seebrücke and Löwenstrasse; buses 1, 19, 22 to Löwenplatz, then 3–5 minutes.

Access: Step-free entry via the west entrance at Café sowieso (Wesemlinrain 3a) on request at the ticket desk; lifts and accessible toilets; the northern potholes, and the mirror maze are wheelchair-accessible.

Visiting hours: Apr 1–Oct 31 daily 10:00–18:00; Nov 1–Mar 31 daily 10:00–17:00.

Visit duration: 1–1.5 hours; up to 2 hours including the full underground route and the relief.

Notes: Tickets – adults CHF 24, seniors/students/disabled CHF 18, children 6–15 CHF 12, family passes CHF 60 (2+up to 5 kids) or CHF 45 (1+up to 5). Former quarry terrain – watch your step and supervise children.