Lion Monument
Lion Monument 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 monument
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Lucerne Lucerne guide
About Lion Monument
A dying lion carved into a sandstone cliff, memorializing the Swiss Guards killed defending the Tuileries in 1792. Mark Twain called it the most mournful stone in the world.
The Lion Monument, or Löwendenkmal, is a dying lion carved in relief into a sandstone cliff in a former quarry, and one of the most visited memorials in Switzerland. It commemorates the Swiss Guards killed on 10 August 1792, when revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris, where the Guards were defending the residence of King Louis XVI. The wounded lion lies over a shield bearing the French Bourbon fleur-de-lis, beside a second shield with the Swiss coat of arms.
Designed by the Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen and hewn into the rock in 1820 to 1821 by Lukas Ahorn, the monument was promoted by Karl Pfyffer von Altishofen, a Guards officer who survived the assault. Its Latin inscription, “Helvetiorum Fidei ac Virtuti”, honours the loyalty and bravery of the Swiss. Mark Twain called it the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.
How long should you spend at Lion Monument?
Plan about ~30 min at Lion Monument. 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 Lion Monument worth visiting?
Lion Monument 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 Lion Monument and read more:
Day 2 of the Lucerne in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Lion Monument
Preview the Lucerne tour free in the Gingerguide app.