Museggmauer

The Museggmauer is the surviving medieval city wall of Lucerne, Switzerland, running for about 870 metres along the Musegg hill at the northern edge of the Old Town. It was built mainly in the late 14th century, after Lucerne joined the Swiss Confederation in 1332, to protect the city from attack on its landward side. Of the original nine towers, all have been preserved, and the wall is regarded as the longest city wall in Switzerland to survive in one piece. Three of the towers, the Schirmerturm, the Zytturm and the Männliturm, can be climbed by visitors in season. The Zytturm holds the oldest tower clock in the city, installed in 1535 and permitted to strike one minute before all other clocks in Lucerne. The towers are distinguished by their varied roofs and sizes, and the wall walk offers views over the rooftops, the lake and the Alps. Architecturally the structure is built from local stone with a covered parapet walk and wooden interior stairs. In the 19th century many Swiss city walls were demolished, but the Museggmauer survived, in part because of the effort of local citizens. A restoration carried out between 2007 and 2015 by a citizens' foundation repaired the masonry, roofs and walkways, and the site now operates as an open-air monument with minimal interpretation. Visitors move freely along the wall and through the accessible towers at their own pace. Access is limited to the warmer months, from April to early November, when the towers are open daily. The site is a protected Swiss heritage monument and an important part of the Old Town's historic character.