DE LUCERNE per Maja

CHAPELBRIDGE

Since the city straddles the Reuss River where it drains the lake, it has a number of bridges. The most famous is the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), a 204 m (670 ft) long wooden bridge originally built in 1333, although much of it had to be replaced after a 1993 fire. Partway across, the bridge runs by the octagonal Water Tower (Wasserturm), a fortification from the 13th century. Inside the bridge are a series of paintings from the 17th century depicting events from Luzern's history. The Bridge with its Tower is the city's most famous landmark.

PILATUS MOUNTAIN

Pilatus is a mountain near Lucerne. Jurisdiction over the mountain is divided up between the cantons of Obwalden, Nidwalden, and Lucerne. During the summer, a popular route for tourists involves taking a boat from Lucerne across Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad, going up on the cog railway, coming down on the aerial tramway, and taking a bus back to Lucerne. Pilatus was named after a local legend which alleges that Pontius Pilate was buried there.

Lake Lucerne

Lake Lucerne (German: Vierwaldstättersee, lit. "Lake of the Four Forest Cantons") is a lake in central Switzerland, the fourth largest in the country.

The lake is a complicated shape, with bends and arms reaching from the city of Lucerne into the mountains. It has a total area of 114 km², an elevation of 434 m, and a maximum depth of 214 m. Its volume is 11.8 km³. Much of the shoreline rises steeply into mountains up to 1500 m above the lake, resulting in many picturesque views.

It is possible to circumnavigate the lake by road, though the route is slow, twisted, and goes through tunnels part of the way. Dozens of steamers ply between the different towns on the lake. It is a popular tourist destination, both for native Swiss andforeigners, and there are many hotels and resorts along the shores.

THE RIVER REUSS

The River Reuss is one of the larger rivers in Switzerland. On its way the Reuss runs through Lake Lucerne, where a pioneering needle dam (just upstream from the Spreuerbrücke) maintains the water level. The Reuss continues through the Schöllenen Gorge and under the legendary Devil's Bridge at St. Gotthard Pass before joining the Aar.