Rathaus Lucerna

Lucerne Town Hall (Rathaus Luzern) is a Renaissance building on the Kornmarkt square, right beside the Reuss river in the centre of Lucerne, Switzerland. It has housed the city's authorities for more than four centuries and is one of the Old Town's most recognisable landmarks.

What is this building?

The Rathaus was built between 1602 and 1606 to designs by Anton Isenmann. The first council session took place on 24 June 1606. Until 1798, the city's Grand and Small Councils met here. The building is listed as a cultural property of national significance (KGS no. 3736).

What does it look like?

The facade follows Italian Renaissance models, while the huge, deep-eaved roof echoes the farmhouses of the Lucerne and Emmental countryside. Mixing Alpine tradition with a southern design is what makes the building stand out among Swiss civic architecture. A clock tower topped with a red lantern rises from the structure and once served as a lookout and watch post. The tower is older than the Renaissance part of the building.

What is inside?

The interior is not a permanent museum, but several spaces are worth knowing about:

• The council chamber of the Grosser Stadtrat, Lucerne's city parliament, which still meets here.
• The Portraitsaal, formerly the Small Council's meeting room and now used for civil weddings.
• The Kornschütte on the ground floor, a former grain store that hosts exhibitions and concerts.

How do you get there?

The Town Hall stands on the Reuss, a few minutes on foot from the Chapel Bridge and the Jesuit Church. From the main railway station it is a walk of roughly a quarter of an hour along the river. The address is Kornmarkt 3, and the Rathausquai embankment runs along the water side.

When should you visit?

The best view is from the opposite bank in daylight, when the roof and tower are seen in full proportion. A weekly market is held along the Rathausquai, so mornings are the liveliest and most colourful time. If you want to catch an exhibition or concert in the Kornschütte, check the current programme on the city's website.

Frequently asked questions

Who built Lucerne Town Hall?

Anton Isenmann designed it, and construction ran from 1602 to 1606.

What architectural style is it?

The facade is Italian Renaissance, and the roof recalls traditional Swiss farmhouses.

Is it still used by the city government?

Yes. The Grosser Stadtrat meets in the building, and the former Small Council room serves as a wedding hall.

Where exactly is it?

At Kornmarkt 3, directly beside the Rathausquai embankment on the Reuss.