Gletschergarten (Glacier Garden)

The Gletschergarten, or Glacier Garden, is a museum and park at Denkmalstrasse 4 in Lucerne, Switzerland, built around glacial potholes that were uncovered in 1872. The potholes are cylindrical hollows ground into the rock by meltwater and stones during the ice age, and they remain the centrepiece of the site. Visitors walk through a garden area where the potholes are exposed, then enter exhibition rooms covering the ice age, the geological history of the region and the formation of the Alps. The Spiegellabyrinth, a mirror maze from the 1896 Alhambra pavilion, is among the most popular features and appeals strongly to families. Walkways and viewpoints in the park give a look over the rock formations and, in places, toward the surrounding city. A typical visit lasts 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on how long is spent in the maze and the exhibits. The attraction is next to the Löwendenkmal and a short walk from the Bourbaki Panorama, so many visitors combine all three in one trip to the Löwenplatz district. Bus 1 or 19 from Bahnhof Luzern stops at Löwenplatz, followed by a two-minute walk. The official page lists opening from March to November from 10:00AM to 5:00PM, with a banner indicating later closing in summer, so hours should be confirmed on gletschergarten.ch before visiting. Adult admission is CHF 24, with reduced rates for apprentices, students and AHV or IV holders, and children aged 6 to 16 pay CHF 12; entry is free with the Swiss Travel Pass or the Swiss Museum Pass. Crowds are heaviest at midday in summer and during school holidays, while weekday mornings and rainy days offer more space inside the exhibition rooms.