KAPELLBRUKE BRIDGE

               Lucerne's Famous Bridge 
 

         The Reuss River runs through Lucerne, Switzerland’s old town dividing the city into two nearly equal parts. Several foot bridges span the river, but the Kapellbruke Bridge is the most famous. One of Lucerne’s signatures, it also is known as the chapel bridge.  

Built in 1333, the bridge leads to the doorstep of the chapel that was built in 1178. The octagonal tower at one end of the bridge was once a navigational light for the river. Then it was a prison, and finally a water tower.  Now it is available to rent for private parties.

Years ago the bridge was used by rope makers. The covered bridge is long and the rope could be stretched from one end to the other. The bells of the church used to ring at regular intervals so, in the days before all the famous Swiss watch, people in the surrounding areas would all be on the same time.

          The Kapellbruke Bridge is the oldest covered bridge in Europe. In 1993 a boat tied up to the bridge caught on fire. The fire spread to the bridge causing major damage. Because the bridge is so symbolic of the city, it was rebuilt. On a second trip to the city I could see that a good two-thirds of the bridge obviously had new timbers and trusses. The 101 triangular paintings depicting Swiss history have been reproduced in photocopy and are in place at each bridge truss. Lovely hanging flower baskets hang outside on both sides of the bridge.

            One morning we walked across the bridge and on the other side we walked through some of the narrow cobbled alleys. We hadn’t gone too far before we saw an elephant walking in the opposite direction. What a surprise that was! We soon learned there   was a circus in town. I managed to get my camera for one quick photo. Continuing on our walk we also saw several street performers.

            We stopped to watch an organ grinder with his little monkey. I hadn’t seen one since I was a little girl. I was so intent on the monkey that I hadn’t seen the mime until my friend nudged me. He was very good, and I had to do a double take to realize he was alive and not a mannequin.

            The famous bridge in the center of the city’s old town is quite a tourist attraction and always fun to revisit. I find it picturesque, enjoy the hanging baskets and admire the paintings under the roof as I pass across the bridge.