Lucerne — Forgotten Oath of the Guard

Your oath quest begins at the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), built in 1333 to connect the fortified old town to the left bank of the Reuss. This wooden bridge, about 204 meters long, is a cultural object of national importance. In 1626, paintings of biblical and historical scenes were added, covering 158 panels, transforming the structure into an open-air museum. Every step on this bridge, named after the 13th-century Saint Peter's Chapel, brings you closer to the guards' secrets.

Right next to the bridge, the Wasserturm, or Water Tower, stands proudly. Built around 1300 as part of Lucerne's medieval fortification, this circular stone tower, 34.3 meters high, served as a watchtower. Connected to the Kapellbrücke since 1333, it was successively a prison in the 16th century, a warehouse, and then a torture chamber in the 19th century. Its central role in Lucerne's river defense makes it a key place to understand the military stakes of the era.

Continue towards the Hofkirche St. Leodegar, rebuilt between 1633 and 1639 in a late Baroque style, after a fire. This church, dedicated to Saint Leodegar, Bishop of Autun whose relic was transferred in 1579, houses a 1637 altarpiece and 1639 frescoes. Its dimensions, 60 meters long with a 55-meter tower, testify to the importance of this Catholic place of worship and classified historical monument, which carries the memory of the events that shaped Lucerne.

Your journey then leads you to the Löwendenkmal, the Lion Monument, sculpted in 1821 by Bertel Thorvaldsen. This 10-meter-high bas-relief, carved into a sandstone cliff, commemorates the Swiss Guards who fell in Paris on August 10, 1792. Funded by private donations and inaugurated in 1821, it quickly became a national symbol of bravery. The Latin inscription 'Helvetiorum fidei ac virtuti' resonates with the spirit of fidelity you seek. This monument is a cultural object of national importance, as is the Museggmauer, the medieval wall built between 1386 and 1480, which protected the city of Lucerne with its nine towers, offering panoramic views of the city.

Crossing the Kornmarkt and Weinmarkt, two historic markets in Lucerne's old town, you discover medieval and Baroque economic activity, with their 17th-century buildings adorned with frescoes. These places of trade and gathering played a central role until the 19th century, and are now classified historical ensembles. Finally, the Jesuitenkirche, built between 1666 and 1677 by the Jesuits, completes your immersion. Its frescoes and 1677 altarpiece, examples of Swiss Baroque, reveal the last pieces of the puzzle. At the end of this thematic circuit in Lucerne, you will have not only deciphered the oath but also explored the city's heritage and history, from its fortifications to its places of worship, an unforgettable interactive visit to Lucerne.