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Luzern History, Switzerland

Luzern actually got its name from the Celtic word lozzeria which literally means 'a settlement on marshy ground.' In the mid of the eighth century, Luzern's Benedictine monastery was found under the control of the Alsatian Abbey of Murbach. At this particular point in Luzern's history, nothing tangible is known about the place.

It was in 1178 when an abbot established that a settlement may have existed in the area. In the year 1220, the Gothard Pass was opened, thereby, contributing to changes in the town's trade and increasing possibilities for growth as merchants and travelers sailed from Luzern to the trans-Alpine journey.

The Swiss Confederation

A certain Rudolf of Hasburg saw how prosperous the place was and in 1291, he bought Luzern from Murbach. During that time, the farmers from Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden formed a pact of mutual defense to conquer Austrian threat. After quite some time of instability, Luzern found it necessary to join this revolt in 1332. This pact formed by the Luzern with the farmers paved the way for the formation of the Swiss Confederation.

The Battle of Sempach

The threat to the pact was the continuing support given by some Pro-Hasburg individuals. They wanted to weaken the pact of these farmers. It was also taken down in history that during this time, a boy heard some of the plans of the team. Unluckily, they caught the boy and warned him not to speak of the plot to anybody. Young as he was though, he still relayed the story to some people when he was released from captivity. The association knew of the story and was able to prevent the plot. In 1386, the Battle of Sempach happened and the Austrian forces were defeated by the Swiss Confederation. The elders of Luzern declared independence for the place. They built the Musegg fortifications and up to this day, this memory remains.

Luzern as the federal capital

The people of Luzern have been Catholics and were ruled by aristocrats. It was during the 18th century revolutions when things began to change for the place. There were political issues in the earlier part of the 19th century. Religion directed to civil war when the place was found at the center of the Catholic rebel Sonderbund. This was an association which led the way for Luzern to become the central capital in the year 1847.

Tourism in Luzern

By the time Sonderbund created Luzern as a federal capital, tourism was already in boom. With the termination of the warfare, Luzern became the focus of various tourism ideas because of its lakeside location and the place being considered as the gateway to the Alps. In 1834, the city was developed and a boardwalk was built in the lakeside location of Luzern. Old buildings including medieval fortifications were destroyed. In 1859, the railway of Luzern was constructed and completed.

Over the years, the city population increased coinciding with its fast growing tourism. To this day, Luzern is considered the home for the Switzerland's SVP

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