Museggmauer in Lucerne, Switzerland
This old city wall with nine towers was build in the 13th century to protect the town. As the town grew, the wall also grew to about 800 meters and with more towers. It’s one of the best preserved defensive walls in Switzerland. Some of the towers are open and provide amazing views of the town and the lake. Others are still functioning, mostly as guild headquarters.
The Nölli Tower serves as headquarters of the Saffron Guild, and hosts the guild hall and archive. It is not open to the public. The Männli Tower is open to the public and offers great views. The Luegisland Tower (meaning look toward the land) is the tallest and served as watchtower, but is not open to the public. The Heu Tower or Wacht Tower is named such because hay was stored in it. It has also stored gunpowder but lightening in 1701 caused a massive explosion, destroying the original tower and people in the vicinity. The rebuilt tower is open to the public. The Zyt Tower features a clock and bell. The dial is large for those on the lake to read and the bell still strikes. It is open to the public. The Schirmer Tower was the one that let people in and out of town and out into the countryside. The tower is open to the public. The Pulver (powder) Tower also had the job of storing gunpowder which was useful after the Heu Tower exploded. It is not open to the public as it serves as a guild hall for the Wey Guild. The Allenwinden Tower now hosts the Lucerne Tambouren Club and Luzerner Maskenfreunde Club. It is not open to the public. The Dächli Tower is the smallest and is now the guild hall of the Swiss Union of Master Joiners. It is not open to the public.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Travel
6004 Lucerne, Switzerland
Coordinates: 47.0540° N, 8.3032° E
Cost & Admission
The Musegg Wall and Männli, Zyt, Wacht and Schirmer Towers
April 1 to November 1
8am-7pm daily
Free
Food
Food nearby.
Activities
Walking, exploring (some heights and stairs involved), views of Lucerne and lake.
Tips
It can be tall and narrow at some points, especially on the walkway outside and within the towers. Take caution if you don’t enjoy heights and tight spaces.