Kapellbrücke
Kapellbrücke
A historic covered bridge and the iconic symbol of Lucerne.
The Kapellbrücke is Switzerland’s most famous bridge and one of the oldest surviving wooden covered bridges in Europe, dating back to the 14th century. It spans the Reuss River at a diagonal, and inside, it features a series of rare 17th-century triangular paintings that depict Lucerne’s history. Next to it stands the striking Water Tower, once used as a prison and treasury.
How to Get There
Ways to get to the attraction
Description
Detailed information about the attraction
What is this place
The Kapellbrücke is a covered wooden pedestrian bridge over the Reuss in central Lucerne with triangular painted panels under its roof. Built around 1360 as part of the city’s fortifications, it burned on 18 August 1993 and reopened on 14 April 1994.
Key features
- Length 204.7 m on a diagonal crossing – a Swiss icon; widely cited as Europe’s oldest covered wooden bridge and the world’s oldest surviving truss bridge.
- The octagonal Water Tower (34.5 m, c. 1290–1300) predates the bridge; it served as prison, archive and treasury; generally closed today.
- Painting cycle c. 1614–1624 (Hans Heinrich Wägmann) on Lucerne’s history and patron saints; before the fire 147 of 158 panels survived, about 30 are fully restored.
- Originally ~279–270 m long; shortened in the 19th c. with riverbank works.
- The 1993 fire destroyed two-thirds of the panels; the bridge was rebuilt in 8 months and reopened 14.04.1994.
What to see
- The triangular panels beneath the rafters, including charred and restored sections.
- The Water Tower exterior and classic viewpoints from Rathausquai and Seebrücke.
- Old Town vistas and the Reuss current as you walk from Theaterplatz to St Peter’s Chapel.
History
Built c. 1360–1365 to defend the south approach and link both banks, the bridge complemented the earlier c. 1290–1300 Water Tower standing in the river.
In the 17th century, a sponsored painting cycle – largely by Hans Heinrich Wägmann – was added; during the 19th century embankments led to several shortenings.
On the night of 18 Aug 1993, fire destroyed most spans and panels, leaving only the heads and tower; the bridge reopened on 14 Apr 1994 after rapid reconstruction. It remains Lucerne’s emblem.
Practical information
Location: Between Rathausquai by St Peter’s Chapel and Theaterplatz by the Lucerne Theatre, in the city centre.
Getting there: 5–7 minutes’ walk from Luzern Bahnhof to the riverside and onto the bridge.
Access: Open 24/7, free; level deck without steps; the Water Tower is generally closed to the public.
Visiting hours: 24/7.
Visit duration: 15–30 minutes; up to 45 minutes with photo stops.
Best time: Early morning and golden hour for light and fewer people; colours pop after rain.
Notes: The walkway is narrow and busy – keep moving and avoid touching the panels; the timber deck can be slippery when wet.
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