Lucerne Lion Monument Reviews (Lucerne, Switzerland)

Lion Monument

by travel2000

New York, New York

November 2, 2000

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Best of IgoUgo This is right before the entrance to the Glacier Garden. It is a carving at the side of the hill of a dying lion, in memory to the Swiss guards who died in Paris defending Louis XVI in the late 1700's. There is a small pond and is really a park for ...Read more

From journal Lake Lucerne

Dying Lion of Lucerne Monument

by kimca

Victoria, British Columbia

March 12, 2001

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Best of IgoUgo The Dying Lion of Lucerne is one of its most important monuments. In fact, Mark Twain called it "the saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world." It was carved into natural rock (sandstone) to commemorate the Swiss that had died in ...Read more

From journal Lovely Lucerne

Saddest Swiss Lion of Lucerne (and surrounds)

by Gaires2359

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

July 28, 2004

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Best of IgoUgo Das Löwendenkmal, a.k.a. The Lion Monument or "Lion of Lucerne," is a masterpiece created in the early part of the 19th century. Awe-inspiring and mournful, it is dedicated to the memory of the heroic fight and final defeat of the Swiss Guards in ...Read more Das Löwendenkmal, a.k.a. The Lion Monument or "Lion of Lucerne," is a masterpiece created in the early part of the 19th century. Awe-inspiring and mournful, it is dedicated to the memory of the heroic fight and final defeat of the Swiss Guards in 1792 in Paris. The fateful day of August 10th marked the beginning of the bloody days of the French Revolution. When the Bourbon King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, together with their children, were brought back to the Tuileries Palace in Paris after a failed attempt to escape the French Revolution. Working-class Parisians stormed the royal palace - the Tuileries - and the Swiss regiment of the Guards were forced to lay down their arms by the order of Louis XVI, which resulted in their massacre.

Known as a universal symbol of courage and strength, the lion was designed by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorwaldsen and was hewn into the sandstone cliff between 1820 and 1821.

Depicting a dying lion with its paw poised over the shield bearing the fleur-de-lys of the Bourbon king, a broken lance pierces its heart, signifying its loyalty in protecting the shield to its death.

The effort to erect the monument was initiated by Ch. Karl Pfyffer of Altishofen and was made possible by donations from the comrades and friends from the different regiments. It was executed by Lukas Ahorn, who hewn the image into the rock face. The niche in the rock wall measures about 43 feet and the animal alone is 30 feet. Inscribed in Latin are the following words: HELVETIORUM FIDEI AC VIRTUTI or THE LOYALTY AND BRAVERY OF SWISS.

And the names of the martyred soldiers, including the 26 officers and 16 soldiers who were sacrificed, are also inscribed below the lion.

The sculpture is set amidst tranquil foliage and a gently rippling pool in front, a perfect setting for contemplation.

Adjacent to the Löwendenkmal is The Gletschergarten (Glacier Garden - www.gletschergarten.ch), which holds within its grounds a museum displaying old relief maps of Luzern and Switzerland, including a set of geological potholes retelling the subtropical ocean beach that was Luzern some 20 million years ago. Also housed in the museum is the original stucco model of the lion.

The Alpineum opposite is a relic from a bygone era, with static models of Alpine scenes behind a glass display which no doubt will spark the imagination of our great-grandparents, but today they come across as a little dry.

On Löwenplatz, a huge circular building houses the Bourbaki Panorama, recently re-opened after renovations. The panorama itself is a huge mural depicting the retreat of the French Eastern Army under General Bourbaki into Switzerland during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 to 1871.

From the waterfront, walk along Alpenstrasse or Lõwenstrasse towards Löwenplatz. And from the square, facing the Bourbaki Panorama, take a left turn walking about 1 minute uphill on Denkmalstrasse, passing a block of souvenir shops, and then reaching the monument.

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From journal Wordsworth's Lucerne

Lion Monument

by HollieandHunter

Port Orange, Florida

April 16, 2004

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This is a another great place in Lucerne for quiet reflection. This peaceful park with a monument made painstakingly by one man is a tribute to the death of the Swiss Guards hired to protect the young King of France. A crocked bishop had set a trap ...Read more

From journal Lucerne -- peaceful and beautiful

Lucerne's Lion Monument

by Red Mezz

Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

September 7, 2006

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Best of IgoUgo In his book 'A Tramp Abroad' Mark Twain referred to this monument as 'The most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world' and I would certainly be inclined to agree with him. Just north of Lowenplatz above the city centre and carved in the ...Read more In his book 'A Tramp Abroad' Mark Twain referred to this monument as 'The most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world' and I would certainly be inclined to agree with him.

Just north of Lowenplatz above the city centre and carved in the side of a cliff near Lucerne's Glacier Garden lies the dying figure of a lion known as the 'Lion of Lucerne' or 'Lowendenkmal'.

Europe is an area absolutely full to the brim of stunning sculptures and monuments, carvings and architectural monuments, and if you are travelling around it, not only can you not possibly hope to see them all, but as is sadly and often the case, once you've seen 10 or 20...you start to think you've seen them all.

Having said that, however, if you're planning to be anywhere near the town of Lucerne, Switzerland in your journeys, I would highly recommend that this is one you do stop and experience.

When I arrived in Lucerne I had just come off a whirl wind trip of Scotland, London, and Paris...all of them cram packed with every historical monument you could manage with out walking your feet clean off. (And even then as my friend's boots showed, it was a near miss...) But none of us could help but be moved by this really stunning and poignant piece of carving that shows every inch of heart that the Swiss have shown over the years, and their pride in how loyal and honourable a people they have proved themselves to be.

The lion commemorates the fallen Swiss guards in 1972 in the French Revolution in Paris. Hired for their honour and trustworthy lack of politics to guard King Louis XVI during the French Revolution, more than 700 Swiss Guard died defending the palace, unaware that the King they protected was no longer inside.

The Danish sculptor Bertel Thorwaldsen was commissioned in the early 1800's to sculpt something to remind the citizens of the true heart and soul of its fallen guard and this work more than does that. I knew nothing of the history behind it when I walked up the hill to see the lion (it was in the guide book, figured it was something I should do) but instead found myself standing and staring with other tourists in awe and wonder and a monument so gracefully mournful.
The monument depicts a dying lion lying over a Swiss Shield with spear still protruding from his flank. It is a moving piece to say the least, and I only wish that I had photos to portray just how wonderful it is. Alas, this was one of those rare occasions where I found myself too moved to take a photo, in light of such sorrow it didn't seem right. If you are interested, however, you can easily find photos of it online.

This is a highly visited tourist area, which unfortunately does take away from the atmosphere. Go early if you can.
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From journal Crystal lakes and snowy mountain country....

Luzern

by Laroca

Porto, Portugal

August 11, 2005

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Visit "the dying Lion of Luzern," a famous monument. It was carved out of the natural rock in memory of the heroic deaths of the Swiss soldiers killed at the Tuileries in 1792. In few metres, you are able to visit the Glacier Garden, a journey and ...Read more

From journal Lucerne Mythological

Dying Lion of Lucerne

by akakd

, Arizona

August 24, 2003

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The Dying Lion of Lucerne is carved out of natural rock in memory of the heroic deaths of the Swiss mercenaries at the Tuileries in 1792. Globetrotter Mark Twain described the Lion of Lucerne as "the saddest, most moving piece of rock in the world."

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