description Lion Monument Overview
The Lion Monument stands in Lucerne, Switzerland as a stone memorial sculpted between 1820 and 1821. It depicts a dying lion, commemorating Swiss Guards who lost their lives defending Royal family members during the French Revolution. The monument serves as a poignant reminder of this historical event and is appreciated by visitors interested in Swiss history and European revolutionary periods.
help Lion Monument FAQ
What historical event does the Lion Monument in Lucerne commemorate?
It commemorates the Swiss Guards who died defending the Tuileries Palace in Paris during the French Revolution on August 10, 1792. Hundreds of Guardsmen were killed by revolutionary forces while protecting King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
Who carved the Lion of Lucerne, and when?
The relief was carved by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen between 1820 and 1821, with the actual stonework executed by Lukas Ahorn. Mark Twain later called it 'the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.'
Where exactly in Lucerne is the Lion Monument located?
It is carved into a sandstone cliff in the Glacier Garden (Gletschergarten) park, just north of Lucerne's old town near the Löwenplatz. It is a short walk from the Chapel Bridge and the Lucerne train station.
How big is the carved lion, and is it free to view?
The lion measures roughly 10 meters long and 6 meters high, carved in high relief directly into the rock face. Viewing the monument from the small reflecting pool in front is free, though the adjacent Glacier Garden museum requires a ticket.
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