Lucerne Town Hall

These steps take you to Kornmarkt Square, which means “Grain Market Square.” Since 1356, this has been the place where Lucerne’s residents came to buy and sell grain. Surrounded by historic buildings, it’s still one of Lucerne’s main squares. At its heart stands the impressive Rathaus, or Town Hall. What began as a simple grain exchange evolved into the official seat of the city’s government. The Town Hall was built in the early 1600s by architect Anton Isenmann, in an Italian Renaissance-inspired style. True to its Swiss setting, it features a steep pitched roof, built to withstand harsh weather. On the ground floor, the old grain storehouse has been transformed into the Kornschütte, a space now used for art exhibitions and concerts. On the first floor, you’ll find the elegant parliament chamber, with a coffered ceiling, large-scale paintings, and a beautiful 18th-century tiled stove. There’s also a splendid Empire-style ballroom, still used for civil ceremonies today, including weddings. Now for a less glamorous and unexpected addition: a pigeon loft! Built in the attic in 2003, it offers pigeons a protected space to nest. The loft can be visited and includes an exhibit on the history of these birds. The medieval tower is also part of the complex. Over the centuries, it has been raised three times. If you look closely at the stonework, you’ll see the horizontal lines that mark each stage of elevation. The tower originally served as a watchtower. A night guard would stand on duty, ready to alert the town in case of attack or fire. The clock on the tower has been there since the 15th century — the one you see dates back to 1788. It has one hand to mark the hour, along with a smaller lunar hand that tracks the phases of the moon. The city’s old chancery was once housed through the three Gothic windows before you. Today, the seat of the cantonal government is located inside the Town Hall. Now head towards Hirschenplatz, the street at the far end of the square, next to the shop with the beautiful pocket watch sign above its entrance.