Canton of Lucerne

Historical sites in Canton of Lucerne

Historic Castles, Ruins & Towers

The Canton of Lucerne preserves a diverse collection of medieval fortifications and religious estates. This selection features the iconic octagonal Wasserturm and the Rathausturm in Lucerne's Old Town, alongside unique moated structures like Wyher Castle. The list highlights the historical influence of the Order of St. John through the commanderies at Hohenrain and Reiden. Visitors can also explore various hilltop ruins, such as Nünegg and Grünenberg, which offer insights into the region's 13th and 14th-century architectural heritage and defensive strategies.

Historic Castles, Ruins & Towers — Map

Picswiss project / CC-BY-SA-3.0

A

Wasserturm

An octagonal stone structure standing 34 meters tall in the Reuss River. Built around 1300 as part of the city fortifications, it has historically served as a treasury, prison, and archive.

B

Nünegg Castle

Nünegg Castle is a ruined castle in the municipality of Hohenrain of the Canton of Lucerne in Switzerland.

Zelmira Rodriguez / CC-BY-SA

C

Rathausturm

A 16th-century clock tower forming part of Lucerne’s Renaissance-style Town Hall. It historically served as a watchtower and symbol of municipal authority.

Nienetwiler / CC BY 2.5 ch

D

Heidegg Castle

Heidegg Castle is a castle in the municipality of Hitzkirch of the Canton of Lucerne in Switzerland.

Dietrich Michael Weidmann

E

Grünenberg Castle

The ruins of Grünenberg Castle, Schnabelburg Castle and Langenstein Castle are a complex of three interconnected castles on a hill above…

F

Kastelen Tower Ruins

Kastelen Tower is a ruined castle in the municipality of Alberswil of the Canton of Lucerne in Switzerland.

G

Wyher Castle

Wyher Castle is a moated castle, which lies south of the village center of Ettiswil in the Canton of Lucerne in Switzerland.

H

Ruine Schenkon

Minimal remains of a medieval castle located near Lake Sempach.

I

Schloss Tannenfels

A 19th-century Neo-Gothic residence built on the foundation of a 13th-century castle. It overlooks Lake Sempach in the municipality of Nottwil.

J

Burgruine Alt-Eschenbach

Foundations and wall remnants of a 13th-century castle destroyed during the 1340s.

K

Burgruine Oberrinach

Sparse ruins of a medieval hilltop castle located in the municipality of Rain.

L

Burgruine Bottenstein

Remnants of a medieval spur castle situated on the western edge of the Uerkental valley.

Nienetwiler / CC BY 2.5 ch

M

Johanniterkommende Hohenrain

A former commandery of the Order of St. John, featuring a complex with a chapel and residential buildings dating back to the late 12th century.

Nienetwiler / CC BY 2.5 ch

N

Ehemalige Johanniterkommende Reiden

A historic site formerly belonging to the Order of St. John, serving as a religious and administrative center from the 13th century.

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