1.5-Hour Small-Group Nightwatchman Walk in Medieval Lucerne

As the tour starts you hear the fire horn followed by the invocation pray. The Nightwatchman tells you about his hard life in the middle age. With the help of a projector he introduces you to medieval Lucerne. You have a detailed look into the Martini plan, the first city map of Lucerne, dating from 1597. You see the route on the map and you will discover that many of the buildings on the map are still here today. You see St. Peter’s Chapel, the first church in town dating back to the 12th century. Next to it you see the first private stone house of Lucerne and you find out where the expression "stone rich" comes from.

Did you know that the Water Tower was built some decades before the Chapel Bridge? In fact the Water Tower was built in the late 13th century while the Chapel Bridge dates back to 1365. You see pictures of the inside of the Water Tower and hear about the torture chamber, the dungeon and the secret room. Further you learn from where the Chapel Bridge got its name from.

You walk round the corner to Kapellplatz and hear about live in the middle age in the blooming Republic of Lucerne. Walking through the Furrengasse you learn about its Ghost and the Toggeli (Incubus aka "love robber") around him.

You arrive at the the Town Hall Square called Kornmarkt. You learn about the Renaissance Town Hall and its Tower with the clock without minute hand. You hear the story of the "Giant of Reiden" and you see the Lucerne Foot and Elle, the official measures of Old Lucerne.

In the Brandgässli Alley you get to know about the Riot of Lucerne before you continue to the former fish market, known today as the wine market.

On the Weinmarkt you see the old guest house signs and admire the frescos on the houses. On the former pharmacy house of Renward Cysat you read the latin sentence: "Amor medicabillis nullis herbis" which meams: "There is no cure for a broken heart." While listening to what the Nightwatchman has to say about reformation and counter reformation, you enjoy a glass of the best water Lucerne. Then you pass the lower wine market, where once the pillory was located.

Right at the riverside square called “Zöpfli”, you hear about law and order in old Lucerne. You see projected paintings about the methods of prosecution, interrogation and corporal punishment of the Middle Age in Lucerne.

You pass the bridge “Reussbrücke” and you see the Spreuerbruecke (Mill Bridge), the Needle Dam and parts of the Musegg Wall.

A few steps further you arrive at the breathtaking medieval pharmacy window of the “Alte Suidtersche Apotheke”. The Nightwatchman tells you more about the house and the location.

As you continue the Nightwatchman shows you some “Guardian Demons”. You stop at the legendary house of Lux Ritter and you hear why the first two floors look different than the third one. Then you hear the story of “Hans von Trient”, the unlucky stonemason. Another Highlight is the presentation of the seven paintings of the Dance of Death. You will see the pictures projected on a house wall and you hear details about from your Guide.

You pass the Church of the Jesuits, the first baroque building in Switzerland dating back to 1677.

You cross the Chapel Bridge and see the paintings and you find out why the bridge is built diagonally over the river. At the end of the bridge you reach the starting point, where the tour ends.