Hofbrücke, Medieval wooden bridge near Hofkirche, Lucerne, Switzerland
The Hofbrücke was a covered wooden bridge in Lucerne that stretched across a bay of Lake Lucerne for about 385 meters. Its passageway featured a roof decorated with triangular painted panels.
The bridge was built in 1265 and connected the city center to a residential district for several centuries. It disappeared between 1835 and 1852 when the city redeveloped its waterfront areas.
The paintings on the bridge displayed religious scenes that travelers and residents encountered while crossing. These images shaped the appearance of the location for several centuries.
The site where the bridge once stood is no longer walkable, but the area is easy to reach from the city. Visitors can explore the waterfront district and see how the location has been transformed.
About 240 triangular paintings decorated the bridge's roof and were created by artists between 1552 and 1580. Some of these works were saved and can now be found in the city archives.
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