Zytturm

The story

The Zytturm ("time tower") carries the oldest clock in Lucerne, made in 1535 by Hans Luter. Its huge painted face was meant to be read by the fishermen and farmers below. And it has a privilege no other clock in town has: it is allowed to strike the hour one minute before all the others. Inside the tower you can watch the old mechanism and the heavy weights at work.

Key facts

• The clock dates from 1535 and still runs on its historic mechanism.
• It strikes every hour one minute before every other clock in Lucerne.
• From the tower you look straight down onto the old town and Lake Lucerne.

Good to know

Free, open with the wall (1 April to 1 November). Narrow stairs: let people coming down pass first. Arrive a minute before the hour to hear it strike first.