Visiting Hofkirche Lucerne (Why Go, Expectations, & Tips)
While exploring the Old Town of Lucerne, a few landmarks really caught my attention.
One of them is the Hofkirche, also known as the Church of Saint Leodegar. This Catholic parish church of Lucerne, I believe, is one of the city’s most beautiful landmarks and among the best places you can visit for free — much like the Musegg Wall, Chapel Bridge, and Lion Monument.
With its pointy twin spires dominating the city’s skyline, the Church of Saint Leodegar is very easy to find. As an architecture enthusiast, it may seem like a giant in the city, beckoning you to come closer and marvel at its gorgeousness. This feeling could be even more pronounced if you’re taking in the view of the city from a boat on Lake Lucerne.
At night, the Church of Saint Leodegar transforms into a beacon shining over Lake Lucerne. It’s a romantic sight, especially for travelers spending evenings in Lucerne during their 2-day or 3-day stay in the city.
However, while the Church of Saint Leodegar is certainly eye-catching, like the Jesuit Church, I don’t see it as a unique experience that you can have in Lucerne. Nevertheless, it’s definitely worth a quick stop for its picture-worthy appearance, which becomes even more apparent when beholding it up close from its front yard. If you have a few minutes to spare during your one-day trip to Lucerne, go.
Let me show you a glimpse of the beautiful sights you can find if you visit it. I’ll be sharing tips to make the most of your visit, too.
Exteriors and Interiors (Photo Gallery)
Should You Visit this Church?
To put it simply, it’s a yes if you’re a Catholic traveler or if you have plenty of time (or you have extra time) to spend in Lucerne.
As a devout Catholic, I wouldn’t want to miss it. The old, intricate altars inside exude inspiration for saying a prayer.
Elegant and picturesque, wanderers must also pin this church as a destination on their map of Old Town Lucerne. The church’s facade and the wooden and painted artworks in its entrance are a must-see for anyone who loves to appreciate beautiful things while traveling!
However, for other travelers, I wouldn’t prioritize the Church of Saint Leodegar.
There are only a very few spectacular things to see in the church. Don’t expect it to be on par with the Baroque Churches in Vienna or those you can find in Rome, Spain, or France.
Nevertheless, the Church of Saint Leodegar is a nice place to visit and capture another photo souvenir of Lucerne (aside from the Chapel Bridge). Tip: Head to the front yard of this church to see it. Specifically, stand on the stairs a few steps from the facade and have someone take your photo a few more steps farther.
The Church of Saint Leodegar is also a great place in Lucerne to find some peace and quiet if you need it. If you also consider yourself a little introspective, I think a moment inside this church is a wonderful opportunity for reflectionwhile visiting Lucerne.
Visiting Expectations
As a wanderer, The Church of Saint Leodegar has a certain charm that’s hard to ignore. Overall, it’s the most important thing you can expect to experience in visiting the Church of Saint Leodegar.
Good to know
Here are additional photos to provide a better preview of the beauty that awaits you inside the Church of Saint Leodegar.
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How to Get There
Are you interested in visiting the Church of Saint Leodegar?
The Church of Saint Leodegar is located at the edge of the old city to the east.
Again, it’s easy to find, especially if you’re already in Schweizerhofquai, Seebrücke, or any place with an open view of Lake Lucerne. The spires of the Church of Saint Leodegar dominate the skyline, and once you spot them, you can simply follow their direction.
Suppose you’re currently in Schweizerhofquai, the wide road east of the old city that offers views of Lake Lucerne. In that case, all you need to do is walk straight northeast to reach the Church of Saint Leodegar.
The facade of the church is perpendicular to Schweizerhofquai. If you prefer to use public transportation, you can take buses #1, #6, #19, or #73 and get off at the Luzernerhof bus stop. The church is less than a minute’s walk from the bus stop.
Best Time to Visit
There’s no specific time to visit the Church of Saint Leodegar, unless you’re like me and enjoy capturing “eye-gasmic” photos of the places you visit.
If that’s your goal, I recommend visiting the church during the golden hour, the hours just after sunrise and before sunset. Of course, if you want to explore the interior of the Church of Saint Leodegar, you’ll need to visit during its open hours.
One event you shouldn’t miss is the Lilu Light Festival Lucerne. This is when the landmarks in Lucerne, including the Church of Saint Leodegar, are illuminated with colorful light effects at night.
The festival typically takes place in the second week of January and lasts for eleven straight days. To stay updated on the opening hours of the Church of Saint Leodegar and the dates of the Lilu Light Festival, you can check the official websites of the church and the festival, which are linked at the end of this post.
Resources
For more information and further planning to visit the Church of Saint Leodegar, please kindly check the links below.
- Hofkirche – Official Website
- Hofkirche – myswitzerland.com
- The Church of Saint Leodegar – Wikipedia
- Lilu Light Festival Lucerne
For an insightful visit to the Church of Saint Leodegar and the rest of Lucerne, you might like to check out this private walking tour with a local or this 1-Hour Historical Tour with the Night Watchman. The later is a unique experience!
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Interested in visiting more churches in Switzerland? Try the Bern Cathedral. It’s the tallest church in the country and boasts an impressive archivolt. You can climb its tower to see some of the best views in Bern. From there, you can spot the city’s beautiful landmarks like the Bundeshaus and Zytglogge.