The Towers of Lucerne
The Nine Musegg Towers
The large city, that is, the portion of the Altstadt (old city) on the right side of the Reuss River,
comes to a hold on an ascending layer of sandstone. Above it lies a ridge running from west to
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east. Individual watchtowers have been stationed at this strategic vantage point since the 13
century. They offered a view of the city below as well as far into the surrounding countryside.
Established in 1178, Lucerne continued to expand, and with it, its fortifications. Additional
towers were built along the Musegg city walls. Nine of these stone structures, each one different
from the next, are still standing today.
The Nölli Tower
This cylindrical stone tower stands on the bank of the Reuss River. Built in 1513, there had
already been a gate tower in this place. It was modified to admit street traffic in 1901. The Nölli
Tower is the headquarters of the Safran Guild and home to its meeting place and archives.
Although somewhat squat in appearance, the tower stands a proud 28 m tall.
The Männli (Little Man) Tower
The little iron man, a merry figure carrying a banner, is known throughout the countryside. This
is the second tower along the ascending rocky ridge, and it is open to the public. Measured from
bottom to top, it stands 33 m tall.
The Luegisland Tower
This tower has a popular old name, which means “Look toward the land.” Its high and pointy
roof sports a weathervane. With a height of 52.6 m, it is the highest of the nine brothers. It
predates the construction of the Musegg city wall, and probably served as a watchtower for the
protection of the city. According to historian and city clerk Cysat, the Luegisland Tower was
already standing prior to 1291.
The Heu (Hay) Tower or Watchtower
This one gets its name from the hay that was once kept here. At this time, gunpowder was also
stored behind its thick walls. In 1701, lightning struck and some 350 hundredweights of
gunpowder exploded. The tower was ruined, and the flying stones caused considerable
damage. Lives were lost as well. The rebuilt tower stands 44 m tall.
The Zyt (Time) Tower
Its name is derived from its large clock, which was installed in 1535. The dial and numbers are
so large that even fishermen on the lake can tell the time. Its bells ring out the hour one minute
before the clock at city hall. At the beginning of this century, Lucerne painters Schobinger and
Schmidiger renewed the tower’s frescoes. Open to the public, this tower is 31 m tall.
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The Schirmer Tower
This tower serves as a gateway from city to country. Within their walls, cities used to be sealed
entities. This was also the case in Lucerne. Anyone who passed through the Schirmer Tower
gate found himself in the countryside.
Aside from the occasional farmhouse, there weren’t any buildings. Erected in front of the
Musegg wall, the Schirmer Tower is made of polished stones and features fitted cornerstones.
Like the other towers, it has a frieze of wonderful round arches around the top of the tower. It is
topped with a low pyramid-shaped roof. Open to the public, this tower is 27.5 m tall.
The Pulver (Powder) Tower
As a precaution, the city of Lucerne stored its gunpowder in two towers. If there was an
accident, such as the Heu Tower explosion of 1701, half of the gunpowder remained safe in the
other tower. Built atop a “stone house”, the Pulver Tower is one of the oldest structures along
the Musegg wall. It also stands 27.5 m tall. The Wey Guild repaired the tower on a voluntary
basis, and it now uses the Pulver Tower as a meeting place.
The Allenwinden Tower
Because of the cluster of newer buildings, the Allenwinden Tower and the lower Dächli Tower
no longer tower above the city. This tower is also called the Holdermeyer Tower, named after
the man responsible for the city coffers. It is 1.8 m thick and is one of the former “bowl” towers.
The Dächli Tower
The last of the nine towers, the Dächli Tower is also called the Chutzen Tower. It is the shortest
along the Musegg wall. What stands out is its pyramid roof, which may be older than most of the
other tower roofs. Since 1936, the Swiss Master Carpenter Association has maintained a
meeting room there.
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Until the end of the 19 century, several of the Musegg towers were so-called “bowl” towers,
meaning that they were open on the city-side. (This is still the case in the city of Murten.) Today,
the towers and walls along the Musegg are partially accessible.
From here there is a good view of the city, the lake’s bay, and the flow of the Reuss River.
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Water Tower
Lucerne’s water tower is a powerful yet attractive construction. The old stork’s nest, which
hasn’t been occupied in a century, isn’t its only trademark. The tower is octagonal in form, a
shape that Kaiser Friedrich II loved and favoured for his most beautiful buildings. From its roof
to the ground, the water tower measures 34.5 m. Believe it or not, it is actually thicker than it is
high; its circumference is 39 m. It is thought that the tower was built on dry land in the first half
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of the 14 century. In its long history, the enormous structure has served various purposes. First
it was a defence and watchtower, and later it was used as an archive, treasure and preparation
chamber. With walls measuring 4.5 m thick, the lowest room was used as a prison cell. Its
interior was completely dark. The poor criminals who came there had to sit on a toggle and be
lowered into the cell through a hole. As in countless other towers, there was a torture chamber,
too.
Today, the middle floor is home to the headquarters of the Lucerne Artillery Association.
Meanwhile, a colony of Alpine Swifts has been roosting under the rooftop for decades. When
these black and white birds return from their winter home in Africa, they bring springtime back to
Lucerne.