"WELCOME TO MY LUZERN PAGE......:-)" Lucerne by eden_teuling

Imagine this: Luzern once was a little fishing village nestled at the western end of LAKE LUZERN ! It took its original name (and significance!) from the Benedictine Monastery that was founded at about 700 AD.

In 840 "LUCARIA" (which is now Luzern) was for the first time mentioned in historical records!

The opening of the GOTTHARD PASS over the ALPS was a great good for this city: from then on it began to develop into the major transhipment point for trade between the UPPER RHINE in GERMANY and LOMBARDY in northern ITALY.

I am fond of history , so here comes a bit more for those who are interested:

In the year 1332 Luzern joined the Confederation of the 3 original Swiss Cantons.

Then....the Gotthard RAILWAY and with this a number of mountain lines was constructed and together with the development of ship transport on Lake Luzern, the city turned into a central point of TOURIST TRAVEL.

Luzern is beautifully situated : alpine foothills and the ALPS in their amazing diversity rise up over wooded hillsides and the blueblue Lake....

These ingredients and the city's collection of exceptional buildings gave Luzern its international fame...

Yes, I mean: put on comfy shoes and walk, walk, walk and enrich your soul and heart! Let these memories be the souvenirs you take back home with you!

Luzern is a bubbly city, colourful and vibrant and completely in tune with modern times (science, technology, business....)

The city and its inhabitants greet droves of tourists from all over the world, always with a smile and....impeccable facilities!
Not a really cheap country but that can't be helped.

KAPELLBRüCKE (left)

Lake Luzern has a length of 38 km. and is at one point adjoining the Lake of Uri, which is such an amazingly worthwhile sight that hundreds of thousands of tourists come to enjoy.

It is a place to find peace of mind , a place for leisure in world-renowned
holiday resorts with the most fascinating sights.....a feast in EVERY season.....Let this be an invitation to join the Switzerland addicts......

On the lefthand side of this postcard you see the KAPELLBRüCKE, a most special wood bridge that zig-zags over river Reuss.

Many years ago I walked that bridge several times, I always did so just because it is so beautiful and old, ancient almost!
It has a rood and inside the roof are wonderful old paintings.

But then, in 1993 something unbelievable happened.......see next chapter.........

FIRE.....

The wonderful KAPELLBRüCKE (once rebuilt in 1300) on fire!

I can remember that 18th August 1993 on which day I say the disastrous pictures of the fire during the news broadcast and couldn't believe my eyes!
I really cried while seeing the flames eating away that famous, special bridge....

That wonderful bridge that I knew so well, had walked so often.....on fire!

So incredible a sight : something made of wood, standing in the water, completely surrounded by water, was on fire and it was almost impossible to distinguish the flames, to save that famous, beloved bridge.

Little was left, but the bridge was rebuilt because what would Luzern be without its bridge?? An invalid, missing a limb!

Now I have already walked the Kapellbridge again a few times after 1993 and helped by millions of footsteps, some mine, the bridge has started to win back a bit of its "age"; it does no longer look so painfully brand-new!

Luzern is Luzern again!

But this postcard always reminds me of what happened in 1993, some 10 years ago now I write these words......

• Pros:A BUBBLING, VIBRANT CITY WITH LOTS ON OFFER....
• Cons:NONE.....
• In a nutshell:A REAL MUST.......