CHAPEL BRIDGE

Stroll along the Kapellbrücke, or Chapel Bridge, a covered wooden footbridge stretching diagonally over the Reuss River in the heart of Lucerne, Switzerland. Named after St. Peter’s Chapel located nearby, the unique bridge is one of the oldest in Europe and dates back to 1333. Initially stretching over 200 meters, the bridge is currently 170 meters long and connects Altstadt, the old Lucerne to its modern counterpart.

Stroll along the Kapellbrücke, or Chapel Bridge, a covered wooden footbridge stretching diagonally over the Reuss River in the heart of Lucerne, Switzerland. Named after St. Peter’s Chapel located nearby, the unique bridge is one of the oldest in Europe and dates back to 1333. Initially stretching over 200 meters, the bridge is currently 170 meters long and connects Altstadt, the old Lucerne to its modern counterpart. 

The pretty-looking bridge is the world's oldest surviving truss bridge, covered with a distinctive red tiled roof. The bridge is also famous for its number of pictorial panels which date back to the 17th century and are lined across the bridge in triangular wooden blocks. These pictures were painted by Hans Heinrich Wagmann and illustrated the history of Lucerne.  Another point of attraction is the Water Tower; earlier a prison, the tower now serves as a club and is not open to the public.

Highlights

• Stroll across the Kapellbrücke, commonly known as Chapel Bridge, a covered wooden footbridge stretching over the Reuss River.
• Admire the vibrant flowers on both sides of the bridge, making the bridge look charming.
• Enjoy the panoramic views of the Reuss as well as the ancient and modern Lucerne on both sides of the river.
• Pause to appreciate the beautiful picture panels all over the bridge depicting pictures from Swiss and Lucerne history.
• Observe the ancient Water Tower and learn its significance in the history of Lucerne and Switzerland.

How To Reach

By Foot: Kapellbrücke is located 250 m from the heart of Lucerne, and it will take around 2 mins to reach the bridge via Route 2/Route 4

By Bus: The nearest bus stop to the bridge is Schwanenplatz. You can take any bus to this stop and walk for a minute to reach the bridge.

Best Time To Visit

The Kapellbrücke is a public bridge, and it is open 24 hours for all and hence can be visited throughout the year.

Best day in the week

Weekdays are the best day in the week to visit the bridge as it is less crowded. 

The best time of the day

The best time of the day to visit the bridge is either in the early morning or in the evening as the place is ideal for taking a long walk.

Other Essential Information

• If you are looking for things to do in Lucerne which come for free, your list must include a walk on this delightful bridge, Kapellbrucke.
• The bridge remains open for 24 hours, so you can visit any time of the day.
• The bridge is wheelchair accessible.
• There is free wifi available throughout the bridge for you to take a photo and post it in social media immediately.