Lucerne's Towers Walking Tour (Self Guided), Lucerne

Lucerne boasts a wealth of spectacular medieval towers, located in the Musegg Wall area. This former symbol of power forms an impressive city crown, shaping up its skyline, and affording great panoramic views of Lucerne and the eponymous lake, the Reuss river, and the surrounding mountain scenery.

Built in the 13th-14th centuries, the 870-meter wall, complete with its nine towers, is one of the best preserved and longest fortifications in Switzerland. The majestic towers, West to East, appear as follows:

Nölliturm – built in 1513; the only round tower on the Musegg Wall.

Männliturm – a 15th-century tower, renowned for its “Little Iron Man” crowning the top.

Luegislandturm – built in 1290, the oldest and the highest (52.6 meters) part of the Musegg fortification.

Heuturm/ Wachtturm – a former hay storage from the 14th century, destroyed by gunpowder explosion in 1707; rebuilt as a watchtower, 44 meters high.

Zytturm – one of Europe's most unique clock towers, with mechanism made in 1535 – still working; famously strikes the hour one minute before all the other clocks in Lucerne.

Schirmerturm – formerly gateway from the city into the country; built in 1420.

Pulverturm – built in 1398/99, one of the Musegg Wall oldest towers.

Allenwindenturm – a half-tower, one of the best-known tourist attractions in Lucerne; built circa 1408.

Dächliturm – the easternmost and smallest tower on the Musegg line; home to the Swiss Association of Master Carpenters since 1936.

The Männli, Wacht, Zyt and Schirmer towers are open to the public from April 1 to November 1, 8 am to 7 pm. If you feel like stepping back in time and exploring these fascinating ancient monuments in more detail, take our self-guided walking tour!