Lion Monument, Canton of Lucerne, Switzerland

4.5 (4.693 reviews) Open now - 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent Ranking #12 in Canton of Lucerne Monuments & Statues

A sad backstory of the monument but perfect memorial to dedicate to those who lost their lives

This monument is dedicated to the Swiss guards who were killed (I would even say massacred due to the astonishing numbers). They received a note from the King (of France) to withdraw from the barracks far too late, when they were already overwhelmed.

This connection with France explains the fleur-de-lys shield that the Swiss lion is resting on. And of course, the cross is a universal Swiss symbol so that doesn't need any explanation.

Yes, pretty moving after hearing the backstory. Perfect place to reflect. Perfect monument to dedicate. You should drop by. Just within the downtown area of Lucerne. Walking distance.
Canton of Lucerne review images

Address

Denkmalstrasse 4, Switzerland, Postal Code: 6006.

Mobile

+41 41 227 17 17

Website

https://www.luzern.com/en/highlights/sights/lion-monument/

Email

[email protected]

Working hours

Opening Hours: Mo-Su 00:00-23:59

Current local date and time now

Monday, May 06, 2024, 8:32

User Ratings

4.5 based on (4.693 reviews)

Excellent

54%

Good

32%

Satisfactory

13%

Poor

Terrible

Reviews

5Janet M 5:00 PM Dec 22, 2021
Beautiful Monument!!
It was raining the morning we walked to see this monument and there was a crowd already. The monument was sculpted in the early 1820’s and is a rock relief of a dying lion carved into a former sandstone quarry. The lion represents the Swiss Guard, which was massacred while trying to protect Louis XVI at the Tuileries Palace on 10 August 1792 during the French Revolution. There’s rich symbolism in the work: The lion rests on top of a broken shield with the fleur-de-lis of the French royalty, and behind him is another intact shield with the Swiss coat of arms.
5Jason S 5:00 PM Dec 6, 2022
Wonderful monument
High quality monument in a great setting under a man made water hole.

Carved beautifully into a side of rock face to honour the Swiss guard massacred in the French Revolution.

Highly recommend putting this on your to do list on lucerne.
5The Swiss Nomad 5:00 PM Jun 26, 2021
Wonderful sculpture
We have been several times to Lucerne, but for one reason or another we had never made it to the Lion, so yesterday we made it our top priority and headed there immediately after arriving in the city.
The lion sculpture is in an idyllic location, between trees and with a clear small pond in front of it.
We enjoyed reading the inscriptions about the history of why the lion sculpture was commissioned, about the Swiss mercenaries fighting for the king of France and so on.
We are happy we visited it and we will gladly be back in the future.
5Jason T 5:00 PM Jul 28, 2020
Worth your time to visit
We stayed at the Hotel Monopole opposite the train station so to give perspective it is about a 20 min walk away. Despite their being restoration and upgrade works at the time, this did not distract us from the true meaning of this monument and it's impressive nature.

It's also a nice walk from the hotel along the lake edge on the way there and also a chance to explore some of the back streets on the way back.
5Raintree_Thailand 5:00 PM Feb 15, 2023
Recognizing dedication and loyalty!
At first viewing, visitors may not be all that impressed with this monument, but upon observing the details and learning of the background reason for the monument, it becomes more meaningful and poignant. The monument commemorates the dedication of the hundreds of Swiss guards who were killed trying to protect King Louis XVI during the French Revolution. The monument itself is a marvelous stone carving recessed above the serene pool of water. The monument is one of the most visited spots in all of Switzerland.
5Peter M 5:00 PM Dec 31, 2022
Lion Monument
I first saw this in 1989 and again in June 2020. This monument is carved on a low cliff face on the outskirts of the Old Town of Lucerne and is the city's most distinctive landmark. It was hewn in 1820-1821. It commemorates the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution, when the revolutionaries stormed the Tuleries Palace in Paris. It is one of the most famous monuments in Switzerland. It depicts a dying lion resting in a shaded nook above a shimmering pool. Mark Twain described it as "the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world".
5Doc Cook 5:00 PM Jan 14, 2023
I had no idea this monument was even here.
Beautiful! I enjoyed seeing this solemn monument. It shows a sad (dying) lion representing the massacred Swiss Guards. I have to agree with Mark Twain. It is "the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world"
4Rajesh_in 5:00 PM Jun 29, 2022
Historic Place , Ok to see
The Lion Monument, or the Lion of Lucerne, is a rock relief in Lucerne, Switzerland, designed by Bertel Thorvaldsen and hewn in 1820–21 by Lukas Ahorn. It commemorates the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution, when revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris.

So there is a historic significance attached to this place, which is in the center of Lucerne . A small monument to see . The water reservoir is not maintained clean , which is surprising. It's ok to see.

There are many souvenir shops & Gelato shops outside the place.
5Mathkon7 5:00 PM Jul 9, 2022
A Roaring Success
A wonderful surprise as this monument was so much better than I had expected. Beautifully carved into the rockface it's as if the lion is inside it's lair. Setting around the monument is very nice too with a pool in front of the statue and seating area.