Lucena, monuments between landscapes of water and stone
Lucena has everything to fall in love with any traveler.This small city, about 80000 inhabitants, located in the center of Switzerland, has a beautiful and very well preserved historic center.The surrounding landscape, with the lake of the four cantons and the mountains, is another of its incentives.So far we have traveled this morning in the section "Earth without limits" of the El Gallo program that does not cease.It is a perfect city, in addition, to visit in one day.
10.09 minEl gallo que no cesa - Tierra sin límites: Lucerna, un paraíso de agua y montaña - Escuchar ahoraIt is rightly known with the nickname city of the lights.Elena Affeltranger, head of Tourism Communication of Switzerland, tells us about her beauty: “Lucena is known in Switzerland for being the city of the lights because it has a precious light, an old superbon and well preserved ancient helmet and there are also several alpine excursions thatThey are one hour on the way.Let's say it is in the heart of Switzerland and has everything ”.
It has everything and stone shooting.Walking is the best way to discover the city.A track that gave us another of our travel companions: Andrés Calvo, a Galician who has been working in a historic hotel in the city for years, the Romantic Hotel Wilden Mann: “I recommend parking the car and in the two or three days you are goingTo pass here, move on foot.It's like the palm of the hand.Above all that needs to be seen, whether on one side or another on the bridge, it is very easy to arrive ”.
We talked about the famous Kpellbrücke, the oldest wood bridge in Europe, which has been connecting the two shores of the Reuss river since the fourteenth century and facing all kinds of vicissitudes, the last, in 1993, when it burned.It was rebuilt and, today, you can cross again observing its paintings and stopping to photograph the Wasserturm, La Torre del Agua, an octagonal tower older than the bridge itself since it dates from 1300.
The kapellbrücke takes fame, although it competes in beauty with another wooden catwalk: the Spreuerbrücke, Andrés' favorite: “It is the other wooden bridge that has the city, more beautiful and less kicking.The tower is missing, but it is beautiful ".
About 15 minutes on foot is the lion monument.This stone sculpture represents an injured and lying feline and, as Elena Affletranger tells, "it is a tribute to all the mercenaries of the Swiss Guard who fell during the French Revolution".The writer Mark Twain described her as "the most sad, moving and forceful stone piece of the world".
Between promenade and ride, it is convenient to raise the view to observe the bells of the churches.Among the most valuable are the Jesuit Church, Baroque style, or the Hofkircche, belonging to the German Renaissance.The towers of the wall also rise to heaven, many of them accessible.From the top a very complete panoramic view of the city, the lake and the mountains are obtained.
In addition to stopping in the monuments, the city is full of details: of squares with sources where to sit down and rest and with painted facades.You have to pay attention because the drawings of slopes of the past: from the profession of its former inhabitants or the activity that was developed in that place.
And with so much hustle and a stop to make a stop to eat.We cannot miss the cheese, the famous fondue, or the Swiss chocolates and recipes such as the chügelipastete, a giant puff pastry stuffed with meat, raisins and mushrooms.It is overwhelming, but it serves to gain strength to continue with the tour.
Contemporary and Cultural Lucena
There is Lucena for all tastes: for lovers of history, for those who prefer to delight in nature and their landscapes and for those who seek contemporary culture and art.Here the palm is taken by the KKL, the Convention and Culture Center of Lucena, designed by the Frenchman Jean Nouvel at the end of the 20th century.Its design and the exhibitions that it hosts are two of its great attractions, the third, the acoustics: “(Lo) would mention above all because of the acoustics of its Salle Blanche, one of the concert halls with best acoustic in Europe,” says AndrésBald.
Surely, in this room, Richard Wagner's music has ever soundmuseum.
And for lovers of contemporary art, another mandatory stop: the Rosengart collection.Includes works by artists such as Paul Klee, Cézanne, Monet, Matisse...And, above all, from Picasso.No wonder, Angela Rosangart was Muse of the Malaga artist.
Rigi, the queen of the mountains on the shores of the lake
In Lucena, city and landscape form the perfect tandem.So, after touring its streets and visiting their monuments, it is the turn to immerse ourselves in nature and go to action.There are activities for all tastes and for any time of the year: winter sports, hiking routes, hot springs, farms visits, boat trips.
A cruise for Lake Four Cantons is always a good idea.It allows us to observe the recesses of this huge sheet of water, and see the mountains that surround it.There are alternatives for all tastes: "There are cruises that go around the lake and that last five hours, even boat walks of one hour with which you can get an idea of the lake," says Elena Affeltranger.
And by boat you reach precisely another of the most interesting destinations around Lucena: La Rigi, known as the Queen of the Mountains.Selina Barmet of the Rigarriles of the Rigi explains why this mountain is special: “They are not only the panoramic views and the nature preserved sustainably, but the people who work with great motivation for gastronomy, hospitality, agriculture and forThe mountain railway ".
It was the first mountain railway that opened in Europe, just 150 years ago.The construction of this zip train further popularized this mountaineer, accessible and central destination, which famous and wealthy people attended.
Today, the place allows usrich vegetable barbecues too).The views that are high are also wonderful: “On the one hand the Alps are seen;On the other side, Lake Lucena and, beyond, the flat part of Central Switzerland, ”describes Selina.A landscape that changes with the stations of the year: "Each season is different, the mountain is put with a new dress: spring, summer, autumn or winter".
