Lucerne Jesuit Church (Jesuitenkirche Luzern)

When the Jesuits brought the Counter Reformation to Lucerne in the 17th century, they commissioned celebrated architects from Italy and Austria to build this magnificent Baroque church dedicated to Francis Xavier. A massive undertaking, construction wasn’t truly complete until 1893, with the distinctive twin onion-topped towers.

Travelers may explore the Jesuit Church during a half-day, full-day, private or group tour incorporating a lake cruise and a visit to popular attractions like Chapel Bridge, Swiss Transport Museum, and the Rosengart Collection. More extensive tours tag on a journey to Vitznau to ride the cog train up Mt. Rigi for spectacular Alpine views, a hike down Dragon’s Path, a cable car to the top of Mount Pilatus or Mt. Titlis for an exhilarating ride on the Ice Flyer chairlift.

• The church hosts several choir and organ concerts per week—be sure to check out the music program online before you visit.

• Remember to be respectful when taking photos: Turn off the flash and don’t snap photos of people praying or attending mass.

• Admission to the church is free, but feel free to drop a few coins in the donation box to help with upkeep and preservation.

• Download the Jesuitenkirche app to view an events calendar, learn about the church’s artwork, and more.

Jesuit Church is located on Bahnhofstrasse along the Reuss River and steps away from the Chapel Bridge in the center of Lucerne. The church is easy walking distance from the main sites of Old Town by bus. Take #6, #7, #8, #21 to Werkhofstrasse and walk about 3 minutes to the church.

Jesuit Church is open 6:30am—6:30pm; check for special events and concerts before visiting. Lucerne is a year-round destination, and with its proximity to the Alps, even the summers are pleasant. Peak season is from June to September, with July and August as the busiest and most expensive months. November through mid-April is ski season. Come in February or March for the carnival festival.

The tidy exterior of the Jesuit Church belies a fabulously ornate interior. Against a palette of white and pink, the church has many highlights, including a highly embellished nave, a high altar, and a replica of the Pietà all carved out from marble stucco. On the ceiling, the life of St. Francis Xavier is portrayed in giant pastel frescoes, and in the silver reliquary is collection of relics, and the fabulous Metzler organ used frequently for recitals.