Lucerne

Lucerne (German: Luzern, Swiss German: Lozärn, French: Lucerne, Italian: Lucerna, Romansh: Lucerna) is a city in Switzerland. It is the capital of the Canton of Lucerne and seat of the district with the same name. The city has a population of about 60,000. Lucerne is the biggest and most important city in Central Switzerland. The city's metropolitan area consists of 17 municipalities in three cantons. It has an overall population of nearly 200,000 people.

Lucerne
Municipality
Clockwise from top: Kapellbrücke, Löwendenkmal, Old town, City walls, Traditional frescoed building
Clockwise from top: Kapellbrücke, Löwendenkmal, Old town, City walls, Traditional frescoed building
Coat of arms of Lucerne
Coat of arms
Location of Lucerne
Lucerne is located in Switzerland
Lucerne
Lucerne
Lucerne is located in Canton of Lucerne
Lucerne
Lucerne
Coordinates: 47°3′N 8°18′E
CountrySwitzerland
CantonLucerne
DistrictLucerne
Government
 • ExecutiveStadtrat
with 5 members
 • MayorStadtpräsident (list)
Beat Züsli SPS/PSS
(as of 2019)
 • ParliamentGrosser Stadtrat
with 48 members
Area
[1]
 • Total37.4 km2 (14.4 sq mi)
Elevation
(Lake shore)
435 m (1,427 ft)
Highest elevation
(Sonnenberg)
800 m (2,600 ft)
Lowest elevation
(Rotsee)
422 m (1,385 ft)
Population
 (31 December 2018)[2]
 • Total81,691
 • Density2,200/km2 (5,700/sq mi)
DemonymGerman: Luzerner(in)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (Central European Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (Central European Summer Time)
Postal code(s)
6000
SFOS number1061
LocalitiesLuzern, Littau
Surrounded byAdligenswil, Ebikon, Emmen, Horw, Kriens, Malters, Meggen, Neuenkirch
Websitewww.stadtluzern.ch
Profile (in German), SFSO statistics

Geography

Lucerne is located in central Switzerland on the northern end of Lake Lucerne. The river Reuss flows from the lake through the city. The city is surrounded by hills and mountains, for example the mountains Pilatus and Rigi.

History

Lucerne joined the old Swiss confederation in 1332.

Since 2010, Littau is part of the city.

Economy
Steamship Uri at the port of Lucerne.

Due to its location on the shore of Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee) within sight of the mountains Pilatus and Rigi, Lucerne is mainly a tourist destination. One of the city's famous landmarks is Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), a wooden bridge from the 14th century. Many tourists choose Lucerne as their place to stay because the city is close to the Alps in in the center of the country.

Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees is the shipping company founded in 1870 that runs ships on Lake Lucerne.

Lucerne railway station is the main station of central Switzerland.

Culture

Lucerne has a traditional Fasnacht (carneval) celebration which takes place every spring.

  • View of the city and the lake.
    View of the city and the lake.
  • Lucerne with mount Pilatus in the background.
    Lucerne with mount Pilatus in the background.
  • A marching band celebrating Fasnacht in Lucerne.
    A marching band celebrating Fasnacht in Lucerne.
  • Jesuit Church in the old town.
    Jesuit Church in the old town.
  • Lion Mounument
    Lion Mounument

References
  1. "Arealstatistik Standard - Gemeinden nach 4 Hauptbereichen". Federal Statistical Office. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  2. Error: Unable to display the reference properly. See the documentation for details.

Other websites

Media related to Lucerne at Wikimedia Commons

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