Jesuit Church, Lucerne, Switzerland

The Lucerne Jesuit Church is the first large baroque church built in Switzerland north of the Alps. The Jesuit order, founded by Ignatius of Loyola in 1534, were active participants in the Counter-Reformation, the Catholic fight against the birth of Protestantism. Protestant reformers such as Zwingli in Zurich and Calvin in Genevadivided the predominately Catholic Switzerland. In response, the Jesuits were called in to Lucerne by the city council in 1573 to establish a college. Ludwig Pfyffer, mayor of Lucerne, offered annual financial support to the Jesuits out of his private funds. The Jesuit College of Lucerne was established in 1577 in Ritter Palace, a building originally erected in 1557 as a residence for mayor Lux Ritter.

Construction on the associated church began in 1667. By 1673 the shell of the church and the main façade were completed. The church was consecrated in 1677, though the interior was not yet really finished. Several side altars were still missing and even the high altar was only erected four years later, due to financial problems. The onion topped towers were not completed until 1893. The vault was redecorated in the mid-18th century. The original vestments of Brother Klaus, a famous Swiss patron, are stored in the inner chapel.

References:

Wikipedia

Religious sites in Switzerland

User Reviews

Fakhrur Rozi (NaikDelman) (6 months ago)
Simply breathtaking art on the ceiling.. such would be typical for a Baroque church, but this is another level of workmanship! Comparable to some famous baroque churches in Europe!

Anthony Divinagracia (7 months ago)
A breathtaking Catholic Church located along the River Reuss. The interior is astonishing with ornate ceilings, detailed art work on the walls and a massive pipe organ in the back. A definite recommendation when visiting Lucerne.

Khalid Khan (9 months ago)
The Church is offering peaceful and spiritual atmosphere located along the river Reuss River, The church is known for its beautiful interior and wood work. It is best for those who are interested in history and art.

Mat Bienczyk (11 months ago)
One of the larger churchs in Lucerne - the first Baroque church north of the Alps in Switzerland. The architecture is astonishing, especially on the inside with the vast cielings and detailed work.

Jayden Kusuma (12 months ago)
One majestic piece of art of a church. This house of prayer looks like it was built with every single passionate artist and architect in the world then. Loved the statues and all the paintings. A must visit when in Lucerne

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright csakkarin

Historic Site of the week

Doune Castle

Doune Castle was originally built in the thirteenth century, then probably damaged in the Scottish Wars of Independence, before being rebuilt in its present form in the late 14th century by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany (c. 1340–1420), the son of King Robert II of Scots, and Regent of Scotland from 1388 until his death. Duke Robert"s stronghold has survived relatively unchanged and complete, and the whole castle was traditionally thought of as the result of a single period of construction at this time. The castle passed to the crown in 1425, when Albany"s son was executed, and was used as a royal hunting lodge and dower house.

In the later 16th century, Doune became the property of the Earls of Moray. The castle saw military action during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and Glencairn"s rising in the mid-17th century, and during the Jacobite risings of the late 17th century and 18th century.

Jesuit Church

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Doune Castle