Glacier Garden of Lucerne

Glacier Garden of Lucerne displays rock formations created thousands of years ago by massive sheets of ice, along with fossilized remains from even older periods. The site combines outdoor areas with underground spaces that offer visitors different perspectives on the area's geological past.

A private individual established this collection site in 1873 to preserve and share knowledge about natural history and geology. The house soon became a place where Swiss scientists brought together their research findings.

The name reflects how glaciers shaped this place during ancient times, and today the site represents Swiss interest in understanding natural processes. Visitors find collections arranged to show how people studied and valued these geological features over generations.

The site sits centrally in Lucerne and is easy to reach, with wide paths through outdoor areas and stairs to underground sections. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the ground is uneven and some areas are damper and cooler than others.

The underground caves were shaped naturally by water erosion and contain a dark lake that gives visitors an unexpected sense of depth and quiet. This underground section feels very different from the outdoor terrain above and offers a completely different sensory experience.

Location: Lucerne

Inception: 1873

Founders: Maria Amrein-Troller

Accessibility: Wheelchair limited access

Part of: list of cultural properties in Lucerne

Address: Denkmalstrasse 4, 6006 Luzern

Opening Hours: April-October 09:00-18:00; November-March 10:00-17:00

Phone: +41414104340

Website: https://gletschergarten.ch

GPS coordinates: 47.05889,8.31042

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:47