Hofkirche St. Leodegar

The Hofkirche St. Leodegar is the Catholic church of St. Leodegar at St. Leodegarstrasse 6 in the Hof district of Lucerne, Switzerland, standing above the lake. The site is traced back to 735, and the present church was rebuilt in 1633 to 1639 after a fire. Its two Gothic towers, about 69 metres high, are a recognisable feature of the skyline and a mix of Gothic exterior elements with a Renaissance and Baroque interior reflects the rebuilding. Visitors enter a spacious nave decorated with stucco, altars and carved details, and the large organ is used for concerts that are advertised through the church. The church is surrounded by an arcaded cemetery cloister, and the square in front gives a view of the towers. A visit typically lasts 20 to 40 minutes, enough to walk the nave, look at the organ and the altars and step into the surrounding courtyard. Entry is free, and the church is open during the day outside services, but hours vary, so visitors should check hofkirche.ch before going. Because it is an active place of worship, quiet and modest dress are expected, and photography should be discreet during services. The church is a six-minute walk east of the Seebrücke along the Schweizerhofquai, or visitors can take bus 1 to Löwenplatz and walk five minutes. Crowds are light compared with the main Old Town sights, and weekday mornings outside services are the most peaceful. Organ concerts and festival events can make the interior busier, so those wanting to hear the instrument should check the schedule in advance.