Spreuer Bridge
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Why go
- The Totentanz is described as the largest known Dance of Death cycle.
- 45 surviving paintings show death confronting people across social ranks, professions and ages.
- One of Lucerne’s two surviving covered wooden footbridges.
Opening hours
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Don't miss
- Totentanz panelsLook up at the triangular fir boards: the cycle opens with original sin and expulsion from Paradise and closes with resurrection and universal judgment.Along the roof structure.
- Bridge chapelThe small 17th-century chapel contains motifs and figures from the church year.Halfway across the bridge.
Know before you go
- Open 24 hours every day.
Tips for your visit
- A guided tour starting at the History Museum includes Spreuer Bridge and Mühlenplatz, with an actress and an audio guide.
Interesting facts4
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Black wooden frames carry explanatory verses and donors’ names.
Spreuerbrücke - Wikipedia -
Many panels show donors’ and their wives’ coats of arms, alongside portraits of donors and other Lucerne residents.
Spreuer Bridge - Wikipedia -
The painters drew inspiration from Hans Holbein the Younger’s images of death.
Spreuerbrücke - Wikipedia -
The Mühlenplatz power station now occupies the former northern section by the mills.
Spreuerbrücke - Wikipedia
Shorts
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Spreuer BridgeDeian Toplicianu
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Medieval Spreuer Bridge Danse Macabre | LucerneTerran Adventures™
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Spreuer Bridge and river Reuss in Lucerne, SwitzerlandDudo Erny
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THE SPREUER BRIDGE | LUCERNE | SWITZERLAND ❤️ TRAVEL DIARIESLife in uk vlogs
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The Spreuer Bridge (Spreuerbrücke) in Lucerne, SwitzerlandLife With the Laughs☺️
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Spreuer Bridge, a masterpiece architecture-Luzern,Switzerlandsurshivi
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Walking in Spreuer Bridge, Lucerne Switzerland with paintings in tria…Kim Adellton Walking Tours
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Old houses in Lucerne, River Reuss and Spreuer Bridge. Switzerland.Dudo Erny
History
The bridge’s zigzag course reflects its angled sections: the southern half stands at right angles to the Reuss, with the northern half angled to it.
- 13th c.The first bridge linked Mühlenplatz with mills in the Reuss.
- 1408An extension reached the left bank, in the bakers’ quarter.
- 1566A flood largely destroyed the bridge. Its southern section was rebuilt with a granary at the entrance, called the Herrenkeller.
- 1591The northern section near the mills was rebuilt.
- 17th c.Artists working under Kaspar Meglinger’s direction created the painting cycle.
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- 1803Joseph Ritter built a new northern section with timber arches resting on the abutments.
Sources: Spreuer Bridge - Wikipedia · Lucerne - Wikivoyage (see) · Spreuer Bridge the hidden gem | Sights · Spreuerbrücke - Wikipedia · Spreuerbrücke - Wikipedia · Spreuerbrücke - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026
- Phone
- +41412271717
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Questions and answers
Why is Spreuer Bridge called Spreuer Bridge?
Its name comes from chaff thrown from the town mills into the Reuss. It was the only city bridge where people could dump chaff and leaves into the river.
Where is the former Herrenkeller granary near Spreuer Bridge?
It stands between the Natur-Museum and the Historisches Museum.
How do I get from Chapel Bridge to Spreuer Bridge?
It is a short walk farther down the Reuss from Chapel Bridge.
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