Things to Do at Lion Monument

The Lion Monument in Lucerne is one of those landmarks that hits you harder than you expect. Carved directly into a sandstone cliff face in 1821, this dying lion commemorates the Swiss Guards who were killed defending King Louis XVI during the French Revolution in 1792. Mark Twain famously called it 'the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world,' and honestly, he wasn't wrong - there's something genuinely affecting about this 10-meter-long sculpture that goes beyond typical tourist attractions. What makes the monument particularly striking is its setting in a quiet park-like area, away from Lucerne's busier tourist zones. The lion lies pierced by a spear, his paw resting protectively over a shield bearing the fleur-de-lis of French royalty, while a second shield displays the coat of arms of Switzerland. It's carved with remarkable detail by Lukas Ahorn, based on a design by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen, and the craftsmanship becomes more impressive the longer you look at it.

The Lion Monument sits just 10 minutes from Lucerne's old town on foot. Walk northeast from the train station via Löwenstrasse through quiet residential streets-the route is well-marked and you'll spot other tourists heading the same way. Skip the local buses. The walk beats any bus ride and shows you Lucerne beyond the tourist crowds.