Hofkirche St. Leodegar (Court Church of St. Leodegar) Luzerne

Church in Lucerne

St. Leodegar’s origins trace back to the mid-8th century when it was established as part of the monastery that subsequently laid the foundation for Lucerne. A prior Gothic church existed before the present German Renaissance structure, yet it suffered extensive damage from a fire in 1633. What remains of the earlier era are the towers, the St. Mary’s altar, and a handful of sacred items, which endure within the confines of the 17th-century edifice.

Inside the walls of St. Leodegar, a resplendent display of gilt statuary and altars adorns the white stone interior. Elaborate wooden pews embellish the southern half of the sanctuary, while more modest wooden seating occupies the northern section. This arrangement harkens back to a time when affluent and less privileged parishioners worshipped separately. A plaque on a central supporting pillar pays homage to Ludwig Pfyffer von Altishofen. This prosperous 17th-century Swiss mercenary played a pivotal role in ushering a Jesuit presence into Lucerne, thereby introducing the Counter Reformation to Switzerland.

The Hofkirche St. Leodegar (Court Church of St. Leodegar) Luzerne appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Lucerne!

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