Chapel Bridge
Chapel Bridge is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Lucerne audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~30 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type bridge
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Lucerne Lucerne guide
About Chapel Bridge
A covered wooden footbridge angling across the Reuss, painted panels in its rafters and a stout stone tower at its side, rebuilt after fire once swept its length.
The Chapel Bridge is a covered wooden footbridge that crosses the river Reuss on a diagonal through the heart of Lucerne's old town, with the octagonal Wasserturm, or water tower, planted in the current beside it. Built in the fourteenth century, it is often described as one of Europe's oldest surviving covered wooden bridges. From the early seventeenth century its roof beams framed a series of triangular painted panels, largely from the workshop of Hans Heinrich Wägmann, depicting the city's history and its patron saints.
On the night of 17 to 18 August 1993 a fire destroyed roughly two-thirds of the structure and burned many of the paintings. The bridge was rebuilt to its old form and reopened in April 1994, so much of the visible timber today is a faithful modern reconstruction. The stout stone tower, which the fire spared, has served across the centuries as archive, treasury, prison and torture chamber.
Did you know? In August 1993 a fire, often blamed on a discarded cigarette though never proven, destroyed about two-thirds of the bridge and burned roughly seventy-eight of its old ceiling paintings. It reopened the following spring.
How long should you spend at Chapel Bridge?
Plan about ~30 min at Chapel Bridge. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Chapel Bridge worth visiting?
Chapel Bridge is one of the 15 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Lucerne, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Lucerne
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Chapel Bridge and read more:
Day 1 of the Lucerne in 2 days itinerary →
Updated:
Hear the story of Chapel Bridge
Preview the Lucerne tour free in the Gingerguide app.