- Address: Denkmalstrasse 4, 6002 Luzern, Switzerland
- Phone: +41 41 227 17 17
- Sculptor: Bertel Thorvaldsen, Lucas Ahorn
- Construction: 1818-1821
Every country has sad pages of history, which from generation to generation is honored as a memory, conducting prayer services or putting memorials and sad monuments. Unfortunately, Switzerland has not only joyful, but sorrowful attractions , for example, a monument to a dying lion in Lucerne.
What is the "Dying Lion" monument?
"The dying lion" is a famous sculptural work in Switzerland, in the city of Lucerne . The author of the sketch is the Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen. The whole exposition is dedicated to the valor and courage of the deceased Swiss Guards who until the last guarded the palace of the Tuileries and resisted the assault on the day of the popular uprising of August 10, 1792.
The creator of the entire composition is the talented Swiss sculptor Lucas Ahorn, who hollowed out the whole sculpture in the rock and completed work by August 7, 1821. And on the nearest anniversary of the assault the monument was opened in the presence of surviving guardsmen and European nobility. Thorvaldsen himself was able to visit the "Dying Lion" in Lucerne in only twenty years and was very pleased. The monument was so impressive to the spectators and famous guests who were at the opening that later copies of the "Dying Lion" from Switzerland were placed in the US and Greece. By the way, this is the first monument in Europe with the image of an animal.
Description of the sculpture "The Dying Lion"
The sculptural composition is a stone high relief, which was carved by a master directly in a monolithic rock in a ledge over a small pond. In times of all events, "The Dying Lion" was out of town, nowadays - almost in the center of Lucerne.
The statue of a lion is created in a niche 13 meters long and 6 meters high. The dying king of beasts lies, laying his head on the paw, which crushed the shield with the image of a lily - the symbol of the French crown. At the very head of the niche is depicted and the coat of arms of Switzerland. The left shoulder of the lion is pierced by a deadly spear. The author tried very hard to convey the sufferings of the animal, to cast a romantic sadness and symbolism on the viewer. The figure of a lion is very realistic and soulful.
Above the sculptor left the inscription in Latin, in translation: "Loyalty to the courage of the Swiss", and under the relief two figures: 760 and 350, meaning the fallen and surviving guardsmen. The names of all the officers who died for their duty and their king are carved in stone at the foot of the monument. Today, the rock takes place the annual International Music Festival.
How to get to the "Dying Lion"?
The entire exposition is located in the city of Lucerne near the area of Lowenplatz, access is round-the-clock and free. To get to the small park, where the rock is now, is quite simple: you need to take the bus No. 1 or 19 and drive to the stop Wesemlinrain (Bus station). Also you can get by taxi or by yourself on the coordinates.
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