Chapel Bridge Lucerne at a glance
The Chapel Bridge in Lucerne, called Kapellbrücke in German, is the covered wooden footbridge over the Reuss that most visitors recognise from photos. Today it runs from the Luzerner Theater on the south bank, past the Water Tower, to St. Peter's Chapel at the Rathausquai. It is part of any walk through the old town, and it is easy to combine with the lake promenade.
Not everything you walk on is old. A fire destroyed large parts of the bridge in 1993, and it was rebuilt. The Water Tower and the bridge heads came through the fire. Keep that in mind when you read about the bridge elsewhere, because it is not a preserved medieval original from end to end.
A walk past Chapel Bridge
This tasting walk passes Chapel Bridge and the Water Tower, with a castle visit and a lift ticket included.
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Tour with the Chapel Bridge and Water Tower
A guided walk with tastings that passes the Chapel Bridge and the Water Tower, shown with current availability.
Fire of 1993
What happened, and what was saved.
In the night of 18 August 1993 a fire broke out on the bridge. After a reconstruction the bridge reopened on 14 April 1994. The Water Tower and the bridge heads survived the fire, so they are the parts that were not lost. The rest of the bridge was rebuilt, and that is why it is wrong to call the whole structure a medieval original.
The date matters if you read about the bridge in a guidebook or on a plaque. Anything about the bridge that goes back to the time before 1993 refers to the structure before the fire. For the wider story of the city and the lake, see our Lucerne history page.
Water Tower
The Water Tower stands in the middle of the bridge, and it is the landmark most people photograph. The bridge leads past it between the Luzerner Theater and St. Peter's Chapel at the Rathausquai. It is best enjoyed from the outside and from the bridge itself, as a point on your walk rather than a visit of its own. If you plan to go inside, ask the local tourist information about current access first.
Seen from the river banks, the tower and the long wooden roof make a good frame for a short stop.
Getting there
If you arrive by train, the station forecourt is a construction site until 12 December 2026, with changed bus stops. The boat landing stages remain reachable. From the station, the Reuss is a short walk through the old town. Our old town guide shows walking tours that start nearby.
Spreuer Bridge and the Dance of Death
The second wooden bridge, further down the river.
The Spreuer Bridge lies downstream of the Chapel Bridge, on the Reuss. It was built in 1408. Its paintings of the Dance of Death were made by Caspar Meglinger between 1625 and 1635. They give this bridge a more serious tone than its better known neighbour.
A good short route is to walk the Chapel Bridge, follow the river downstream to the Spreuer Bridge and then continue to the sights further out. The Lion Monument is about 15 minutes on foot from the station and the old town. Our things to do page lists more stops.
Frequently asked questions about the Chapel Bridge
When did the Chapel Bridge burn?
In the night of 18 August 1993. The bridge reopened on 14 April 1994 after the reconstruction.
Is the Chapel Bridge a medieval original?
Not as a whole. The Water Tower and the bridge heads survived the fire, but the bridge as you see it today was rebuilt.
Where does the Chapel Bridge run?
From the Luzerner Theater on the south bank, past the Water Tower, to St. Peter's Chapel at the Rathausquai.
What is the second covered bridge in Lucerne?
The Spreuer Bridge, built in 1408 and painted with the Dance of Death by Caspar Meglinger between 1625 and 1635.
Does a tour include the Water Tower?
The tour on this page passes the bridge and the tower. It does not promise a visit inside the tower.