Lucerne (2) or Rick the Submarine

Last post on the blog ended dramatically, probably even in a worst moment than on the day when pirates have kidnapped Rick. Luckily, one of our faithful readers came to Rick's rescue, building a special device to literally fish Rick out of the river.

Hi everybody! It's me, Rick! Thanks for all those who have contributed to the rescue mission. I was already starting to fear that I will spend the rest of my life in this cold river. I admit, the view would be spectacular since I have landed just next to Lucerne's biggest tourist attraction, the Chapel Bridge. In the back you can see Pilatus.

The Chapel bridge is amazing for more than one reason. It is diagonal, meaning it is not passing the river in the shortest way. It is a pedestrian pass that is made of wood and that is covered - actually it is one of the oldest wooden covered bridges in Europe. It is also the longest truss bridge in the world. Trusses are construction elements in the form of triangles.

 Inside the triangles come paintings showing the history of Lucerne.

 From the bridge we can see the old town and the Town Hall.

On 18 August 1993 a huge fire broke, almost destroying the bridge.

Source: www.20min.ch

As a result, 75% of the paintings were destroyed. The bridge and the paintings were subsequently restored. Now they look as new. Or as old to be more precise.

The tower in the middle is actually not a chapel. It is a water tower, that used to be a prison as well. Nowadays it is closed to the public.

Did you notice the white building on top of the hill? It is Château Gütsch. It was built in 1888 by architect Emil Vogt as a private residence. Nowadays it is a five star hotel.

It was a long and exhausting day. Time to go back to the train station. Next to it you can find the Lucerne Museum of Art.

The Lucerne railway station was heavily impacted by the fire that burnt the Chapel Bridge. Nowadays only the former facade has survived, forming an arc of triumph leading to the new and modern station building.

Finally, we need to leave the heart of the old town and take a look at the Dying Lion of Lucerne. It was carved out of natural rock in memory of the loyalty and bravery of the Swiss mercenaries who died when protecting the French kind Louis XVI at the Tuileries in 1792. Mark Twain described the Lion of Lucerne as the saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world.

The Lion of Lucerne, sometimes linked with Aslan from "The Chronicles of Narnia", is a good summary of my trip to Lucerne. I must say that today I have witnessed a rainbow of feelings, going from despair to hope and enthusiasm. Lucerne will forever have a special place in my hearth.