Things to Do at Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke)

Chapel Bridge is the kind of landmark that actually lives up to its reputation, which is saying something in a city as picturesque as Lucerne. This covered wooden footbridge, dating back to 1333, stretches diagonally across the Reuss River and is genuinely one of Europe's oldest covered wooden bridges. What makes it particularly special isn't just its age, but the series of 17th-century painted panels tucked up in the rafters that tell the story of Lucerne's history and patron saints. The bridge you see today is mostly a careful reconstruction - a devastating fire in 1993 destroyed much of the original structure, though thankfully many of the historic paintings were saved. Walking across it, you get a real sense of how medieval travelers might have experienced crossing into the old town, with glimpses of the river below and Mount Pilatus rising in the distance. It's touristy, obviously, but it's touristy for good reason.

Chapel Bridge is right in Lucerne's city center and hard to miss - it connects the historic old town with the newer part of the city across the Reuss River. From Lucerne train station, it's about a 5-minute walk south toward the lake. You'll likely spot it as soon as you head toward the old town, as it's quite distinctive with its dark wooden roof and the stone Water Tower. The bridge is pedestrian-only, so you'll be approaching on foot from either the Bahnhofstrasse side or from the old town squares.