Kapellbrücke and Wasserturm - Luzern, Switzerland
Posted by: 
manchanegra
N 47° 03.100 E 008° 18.450
32T E 447403 N 5211138
The Kapellbrücke is the oldest wooden bridge in Europe, and one of Switzerland's main tourist attractions. Next to it is the Wasserturm (Water Tower), an octogonal tower.
Waymark Code: WMDXWE
Location: Luzern, Switzerland
Date Posted: 03/08/2012
Views: 34
The Kapellbrücke ("Chapel Bridge" in English) is a 204 m (670 ft) long bridge crossing the Reuss River in the city of Lucerne in Switzerland. It is the oldest wooden bridge in Europe, and one of Switzerland's main tourist attractions.
The covered bridge, constructed in 1333, was designed to help protect the city of Lucerne from attacks. Inside the bridge are a series of painting from the 17th century depicting events from Luzern's history. Much of the bridge, and the majority of these paintings, was destroyed in a 1993 fire, though it was quickly rebuilt.
Adjoining the bridge is the 140 feet tall Wasserturm (Water Tower), an octagonal tower made from brick, which has served as a prison, torture chamber, watchtower and treasury.
This octagonal tower - over 34 meters high (111.5 ft.) - located in the middle of the Kapellbrucke was built around 1300 AD as part of the city wall and used since then as an archive, treasury, prison and torture chamber.
Today the tower, which is part of the city wall, is used as the guild hall of the artillery association. The tower and the bridge are Lucerne's trademark and form the most photographed monument in the country.
It is Lucerne's trademark and the most frequently photographed monument in Switzerland but, because it´s rented to the Lucerne Artillery Association, it´s rarely opened to the Public.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Local tourism information
Country/Land: Switzerland / Schweiz
Original Reference: Luzern A-Objekte, Seite 7 (241)
Address:
Luzern, Banhofstrasse.
Year built: 1333
URL reference: [Web Link]
Additional URL: [Web Link]
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