With the opening of the Gotthard Pass in 1220 and the optimal geographic location at the northern end of Lake Lucerne, at the transition point from the Central Plateau to the Alps, the small fishing village developed with the early medieval monastery of St. Leodegar into a modern city. Lucerne today with more than 80,000 inhabitants is the capital of the canton of Lucerne and cultural, economic and touristic heart of central Switzerland.

The town's landmark is undoubtedly the octagonal Water Tower, which was built around 1300 and the Chapel Bridge, built in the 14th century. It is a covered wooden bridge with a row of paintings created in the 17th century. The second covered bridge, the Mill Bridge and the Musegg Wall with its 9 preserved, very individual towers, formed part of the outer fortification ring from the middle ages to the 19th century. Other attractions are not insignificant, the baroque Jesuit church, the Hofkirche with its two characteristic towers, the picturesque old town squares, the old Town Hall, which is under federal preservation, and the impressive Lion Monument.