Scenic Luzern Switzerland
by Connie Handscomb
Title
Scenic Luzern Switzerland
Artist
Connie Handscomb
Medium
Photograph - Photography - Fine Art
Description
Switzerland has many fairytale cities; Luzern (Lucerne in French) is one that is in the centre of the country situated on Lake Lucerne. Its origins date back to the 11th and 12th centuries.
The covered Chapel Bridge, Kapellbr�cke, dates back to the 14th century. Built in 1332, it is the oldest wooden bridge in Europe. It crosses over the River Reuss at an angle, north to south, and served as a fortification against attack. (The bridge�s lakeside wall is higher than the other side so the soldiers could easily rest their weapons on it). It is 204 m (670 ft) long.
During the 17th century, under the eaves of the interior roof panels a series of triangular scenes were painted of Luzern's history, and also of the lives of the patron saints of the town : St. Leodegar and St. Mauritius.
The octagonal Water Tower predates the bridge by about 30 years. It is called the Water Tower because it stands in the water. It is thicker than it is high! (It is 34.5 metres/140 feet high, with a circumference of 38 m.) Once a defense watchtower, it later became a treasury, (shudder - a torture chamber), and a prison cell (its walls are between 4-5 m. thick).The prisoners were lowered into the cell through a hole.
This bridge is an iconic symbol of the city of Luzern. In 1993, when a fire destroyed a part of the bridge, it was rebuilt to the original. Of the 110 panel paintings under the roof dating back to 1611, only 25 could be saved or lovingly restored between the dark burn stains one can still see today. The others have been replaced by pictures from the second part of the bridge that had been safely stored since 1834.
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♥ Heartfelt Gratitude to FAA groups for featuring this image :
Landscape and Landmark Photography
Exploration Photography
European Landscapes
The Colour Blue
Uploaded
August 5th, 2015
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Viewed 345 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 03/27/2024 at 1:14 PM
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Comments (18)
Will Borden
Hi Connie~~an extremely beautiful architectural photograph to showcase the ancient Chapel Bridge with some of the picturesque buildings in Luzern, Switzerland!! F&L&Twt!!
Connie Handscomb replied:
Will, Hi! thank you so much! we love 'fairytale' Luzern ... will be seeing this wonderful chapel soon, will be back there in about a month & a half :))
Aleksandra Savova
Amazing view!!! l/f
Connie Handscomb replied:
Thank you, Aleksandra! when visiting here, it is a classic scene .. one cannot escape this beautiful vision .. or the swans ; glad you like it! :))
Connie Handscomb
Martin, I've just noticed you featured this image in The Colour Blue; thank you! :))
Kathy Bucari
Love how you have captured the movement of the water in this beautiful scene, Connie! f/l
Carl Purcell
Been there, shot the same bridge from the same angle. Check it out in my FAA collection.
Frank Townsley
I found it Connie. Nice lighting. Did you see my posting from within the bridge?
Connie Handscomb replied:
Thank you for taking a peek at my image, Frank; you have quite a lot to look at ... & time is not always my friend ... I will do my best to see all that I can :))
Reynold Jay
My, my Connie--YOU DO GET AROPUND! This is another stunning piece. You do magic with that camera. Anything magical will always get my attention and this is it!!!! FAV.
Connie Handscomb replied:
We do our best, Reynold :))) {no promises, but I'll certainly do my best to work Magic with the lens }; Luzern really IS Magical .. if you have not yet been, I encourage you to visit; the swans on the lake at a colourful sunset is sheer bliss}
Connie Handscomb
Nader, best to you & thank you! for featuring this image in Exploration Phototgraphy :))
Connie Handscomb
Thank you, Judy! for featuring this image in Landscape and Landmark Photography :))
Judy Vincent
Wonderful image! Congratulations on your feature in the “Landscape and Landmark Photography” group!
Connie Handscomb replied:
Late thanks to you, Judy! this is a place on our planet I love very much :))
Jerry Bokowski
This is how I travel to far away places, Connie and you make for the perfect tour guide along the way....I wish I could actually hear your voice informing us of the fascinating details....long ago I joked about FAA providing "voice comments"....would that be cool or what?............... FAV / LIKE
Connie Handscomb replied:
Right now .. it would be scary, Jerry! I have a horrendous head cold just starting to move on ... my throat is so hoarse you would have trouble understanding my words {hearing its thunderous tone, you might be running for cover!} ; I think scent & voice images are on its way .. viewing might be scary {no more sitting at the computer in jammies!}; thank you Jerry, for traveling with me!:))