The Legends Tour

On this tour, you'll accompany the musical bard, who will tell you about fantastic creatures, myths, and legends from Lucerne. In addition to the illustrious residents of the time, the bard will also introduce you to some important places in the Old and Minor Towns. The story of a quirky, narrow-minded, but clever mayor, for example, or the sad tale of a woman who died twice? Of course, the Dragon of Mount Pilatus cannot be missing from the tales.

Grab your lute and wine glass and follow the bard's blue feather!

Three of the highlights:

• Myths, legends, and curiosities - from dragons to the dramatic end of a forgotten city hero.

• The three painters of the famous wooden bridges and their connections

• The Ritterische Palast and its gloomy construction

Diebold Schilling Tour

Thanks to the chronicle of Diebold Schilling the Younger, we know so much about the city's and the region's history. The city servant was tasked with walking through the city and checking everything using the chronicle Schilling had given him. One thing is certain – no matter how meticulously Schilling worked, his fiery character played a significant role in his writing and images. Let us show you where this important man worked and lived.

Three of the highlights:

• Insight into the work and character of Diebold Schilling

• Writing, colors, and images of the old times, which today seem both strange and creative

• Visit to the Hof Quartier and the Outskirts of the Hofkirche 

The Dishonorable Tour

Rats were unwelcome animals, especially in times of plague and disease. Rat catchers who helped combat the plague were nevertheless considered dishonorable. But what does dishonorable mean? And what do other professions like nightwatchmen, skinners, millers, or barbers have to do with it? The eccentric rat catcher may be more of a loner, but he'll take you on his hunt and has all sorts of stories to tell about topics that people don't like to talk about.

Whether it's witches, beggars, fire, toilets, or anything dishonorable, the rat catcher knows all about them.

Three of the highlights:

• Topics often kept quiet

• Major fires in the city and other disasters

• A detour through the Musegg district and past an old granary (hopefully without rats!)

The Mercenary Tour

The mercenary has completed his mercenary service, and after the defeat in Marignano (never mention the name to the mercenary!), he was offered a job as a city guard.

Towards the end of 1800, many city fortifications and towers were demolished, but fortunately, the old mercenary still knows where they once stood and the stories surrounding them. In addition to the old fortifications, you'll also visit the Musegg Wall and its nine towers...or were there even ten of them?

Of course, there's also plenty to learn about weapons and mercenary life. Be brave and stand strong!

Three of the highlights:

• Old fortification sites, a walk to all the Musegg towers, and a short walk along the battlements.

• Interesting facts about the export hit of the time -mercenary life!

• Have you always wanted to try shooting a crossbow or examining arrowheads up close? The mercenary makes it possible!

Curare et Sanare Tour

Have you ever wanted to know how people in the medieval times protected themselves from illnesses or treated them? Who did they turn to if they had a toothache? Who was an expert in body aches? What did they do for serious ailments like leprosy or syphilis?

Visit the Medicus, who was trained by Lucerne's town clerk and pharmacist Renward Cysat. Let the Medicus explain or even demonstrate the miracle cures to you. He also has a lot to say about the life of his master Cysat, and along the way he'll show you the places where Cysat worked and the achievements of this jack-of-all-trades.

Three of the highlights:

• Medicine, miracle cures, and places of healing - what were the possibilities?

• The work of town clerk Renward Cysat and his legacy

• Smell, touch, try, get treated - if you dare!

"Watch Your Head" Tour

Hangman, executioner, carnifex, dark man, bloody henchman, evil man, flayer, slasher, suspensor, rogue, chastiser, switchman, bell man... Many names for this man who was feared by all, as he was the expert in pain, punishment, and death. But were executioners really as evil as everyone says, or did they simply practice a profession no one else wanted to do?
The executioner takes you on one of his working days, talks about torture, execution, and his daily work, and shows you the old prisons, courthouses, and where the journey ended. Be aware that this tour is not for the faint of heart.

Three of the highlights:

• The life of the executioner, his family, and examples of famous executioners and their stories

• Tools and places of justice, torture and execution, up to the final coup at the old, forgotten execution site in Lucerne

• Hear about some (recent) murder cases and what awaited the criminals back then.

"Wares and Wine" Tour

"Come closer, dear people, come closer, and look at the merchant's wares."

The city of Lucerne was the hub of the Gotthard trade for a long time. Goods traded from north to south or vice versa often had to stop in this city. Taverns and pubs sprang up like mushrooms to offer food or a place to stay for all the traders and pilgrims, something you can still see in this small town today.

The wine trade – especially Alsatian wine – flourished on what is now known as the wine market. How was payment made back then? What was actually traded? Where was and is there still good food, and what was there to eat and drink? Find out together with the sociable merchant.

Three of the highlights:

• The trade of the old city of Lucerne – what was traded and what was paid for with?

• Where were the best taverns in the city? What was consumed in those old days?

• Round off the tour with a wine, beer, or beverage of your choice at the end and toast to the successful trade!

"It's simply the Plague!" 

"Rich men, trust not in wealth,
Gold cannot buy you health;
Physic himself must fade.
All things to end are made,
The plague full swift goes by;
I am sick, I must die. Lord, have mercy on us!" - Thomas Nashe

The plague, or Yersinia Pestis, terrified people. Where did it come from? Was it truly God's punishment, or was it the work of evil men? During the many plague waves (from 1347 to around 1666), there were many attempts to understand the disease and gain control over it. Many failed, and people could only try to escape it or protect themselves from it. The experts of the time were doctors dedicated to the plague. The city of Lucerne was almost entirely spared from the plague in 1628. Why? Find out on this tour, but don't get infected!

Three of the highlights:

• Learn all about the Black Death and the attempts to control the disease.

• Who were the plague doctors and what resources and equipment did they have?

• How was the city of Lucerne spared in 1628, and what do we know today about Yersinia Pestis?