Luzern - Switzerland

Caught the train from Interlaken to Luzern this morning.  Another train ride through the amazing Swiss countryside.  Didn't get a decent picture from the train but loved the way that the mountains, with their green fields, trees and houses looked like they had just been 'tilted' on one side.  Must find a decent example of what I mean.

Arrived in Luzern around lunch time and walked down to the lake to book a lunch cruise around the lake.  Luzern was one of the original swiss alps resort towns and the impressive hotels that line the lakeside are proof of this.

Checked into the hotel and then walked over to see the Lowendenkmal, or the Lion of Lucerne.  A 10m long, 6m high Lion statue carved into the cliff wall.  Described by Mark Twain as "the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world."

Walked further up the hill to the Glacier Museum which contains glacial 'pot holes' left from the glacier that completely covered Luzern during the last ice age, as well as a collection of fossils found in the area.

Willem wanted me to take these pictures to show Uncle Josh this rock collection.

Glacier Museum also had a hall of mirrors which was surprisingly fun, boys definitely loved this one.

Walked back into town to grab some pizza for dinner before walking up to and along the Museggmauer, which is the remains of the 14th century ramparts built to protect the city, had nine towers some of which are still open to the public.  Lots of stairs though, and walking the ramparts didn't feel entirely level or safe at times.

Got to the end of the Museggmauer and then walked back through the old town, across the Luzern Death Bridge, built around 1408, destroyed in a storm in 1566, and rebuilt in 1568.  Was apparently built to allow access to the Baker's Quarter from the town.  They were forced to keep their bakeries away from the main part of town as their stoves presented a fire hazard.

From there we walked back along the banks of the river to our hotel.