I’ll take you with me to Lucerne, the picturesque city of wooden bridges, nestled between Lake Lucerne and the peaks of Switzerland

There is a precise moment, immediately after crossing the border and admiring the first Alpine peaks silhouetted against the sky, in which you realize you have chosen the perfect destination for an unconventional weekend. I’m talking about Lucerne, the beating heart of central Switzerland where we were captured by the charm of a destination that perfectly combines city, lake (the splendid Lake Lucerne which offers postcard-like views when seeing Lucerne from above from the A2 motorway) and mountains with its Alpine peaks.

According to a famous popular legend, the name of the city derives from the Latin lucerna, inspired by an angel who with a beam of light guided the Benedictine monks of the 8th century in indicating the exact point in which to found the first chapel. Today this nickname of the city of light comes to life in the play of reflections that the crystalline water of the Reuss river gives at every hour of the day, creating an atmosphere suspended in time that over the centuries has seduced intellectuals of the caliber of Richard Wagner, Goethe and Queen Victoria.

The Jesuit Church: the first built in Baroque style in Switzerland

Our first stop in the heart of the historic center opened in front of the magnificent Jesuit Church: located along the Bahnhofstrasse on the left bank of the river, this structure represents the first large baroque style church built in Switzerland north of the Alps starting from 1666, and is universally renowned for its extraordinary brightness, refined white stucco decorations and the riot of internal frescoes.

The timeless charm of the Kapellbrücke and the Water Tower

Continuing our itinerary, we let ourselves be captivated by the absolute symbol of the town: the Kapellbrücke, known to all as the Chapel Bridge. Built in the 14th century, this spectacular covered wooden pedestrian crossing is the oldest in Europe and houses 111 17th century triangular paintings under its roof which narrate the history and events of the local patron saints.

Next to the walkway stands the Wasserturm proudly, the famous 34 meter high octagonal water tower which over the centuries has held the most disparate roles, from prison to treasure chamber. Walking up here, surrounded by cascades of red flowers and gazing at the painted facades of the half-timbered houses of the Altstadt, is an experience that combines visual wonder with a deep sense of childlike wonder, especially at dusk when the city lights begin to come on.

The intimate and thoughtful atmosphere of the Spreuerbrücke

A little further on, we went to discover another hidden jewel that holds the most secret soul of the city: the Spreuerbrücke, also known as the Mills Bridge. Built in 1406, this second covered wooden bridge that crosses the Reuss River offers a decidedly more intimate, intimate experience far from the crowds than the famous Kapellbrücke.

Walking under its wooden structure means taking a journey through history through the 45 panels of the Dance of Death (Totentanz), painted between 1616 and 1637 by Kaspar Meglinger and his students. The depictions of dancing skeletons accompanied by warnings in verse offer a profound and evocative reflection on the transience of human life, framed by the river panorama that flows silently beneath our feet.

The Rathaus and the Renaissance heart on Kornmarkt square

Continuing our walk along the banks of the Reuss river, we arrived in front of the magnificent Rathaus, the historic town hall of Lucerne which overlooks the suggestive Kornmarkt square. Built between 1602 and 1606 following the canons of the Italian Renaissance style, the building preserves intact an ancient medieval tower surmounted by a large decorated clock, testifying to the wealth and mercantile liveliness of the city through the centuries in the heart of its historic center.

Among the alleys of the center, the half-timbered houses and a romantic goodbye

To conclude our unforgettable day, we immersed ourselves in the maze of pedestrian streets in the center to admire up close the artisan shops, the cuckoo clocks in the shop window, the characteristic half-timbered houses and the historic buildings embellished with extraordinary facades painted with lively artistic decorations and outdoor tables crowded with visitors.

Our Swiss trip is over, but this day left us with the awareness that Lucerne is not just a perfect postcard: it is also a place of the soul capable of welcoming and regenerating you. An authentic journey that will forever remain in our memories for a very long time.