Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), one of the two covered bridges in Luzern, Switzerland. Behind is the large Wasserturm (Water Tower).

This is a ten-image stitch. I must have taken dozens of photos of this bridge and a similar (but older one, which is “behind” you from where this was taken) bridge but you can hardly blame me when it’s such a picturesque view. In fact, it’s supposely the most photographed monument in the country, which is hard to believe given some of the other things around Luzern, let alone Switzerland.

What I like about this bridge is that even though the style old the style of construction (see the concrete pillars) is new. This is because of a fire which destroyed quite a bit of the bridge. All the builders cared about was making it feel like the old bridge; they don’t care if it’s exactly the same — it’s the feel that’s important.

Luzern has such a nice feel about it too; it feels like the air is clean (the water most certainly is), the place feels small even though it’s large enough to be considered a city and there is a definite country feel about the place even though it’s definitely quite urban.

And that doesn’t even take into consideration the huge lake and massive mountains surrounding the place.

Day Thirty-Two
Bern
8 September 2007 21:56

After breakfast we made our way to the train station where, true to form, we had to hurry and figure out a nonsensical ticketing system and run for a train.

We took an hour to get to Luzern; after getting a map we headed for the river and saw a very old covered, wooden, pedestrian bridge.

Crossing over the bridge we found the streets to be filled with people shopping.  Trying to escape the crowds we headed for a park which has a large lion carved out of a rock face.  It is supposedly the first animal killed in the region, but that seems doubtful.

Justine bought some chocolate — Toblerone, Lindt, and some fancy stuff from a small shop.

Along the river used to be some wooden “spikes” that were used to raise and lower the river’s level.  Now it is a water power generator.  Very clever.  Near the river a band was playing but tey were terribly out of time and it sounded awful.

We rented a pedal boat and paddled around the large lake, dodging other pedalers and large boats with other tourists.  It was a nice view and in the end quite relaxing.

On our way back to the train station there were boxing competitions in the train station!  We watched for a short while before catching our train back to Bern.  It was a double-decker.

Dinner was a packet of chips each.  Not great but they were cheap!