Lion Monument

The Lion Monument, or Löwendenkmal, is a powerful and emotional sculpture carved into a sandstone rock face in Lucerne. It depicts a dying lion, pierced by a spear, with a shield bearing the fleur-de-lis of the French monarchy. The monument commemorates the Swiss Guards who were killed during the storming of the Tuileries Palace in 1792 during the French Revolution. The lion's expression is one of agony and resignation, and the monument is set in a quiet, park-like area with a small pond at its base. Created by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen and carved by Lukas Ahorn in 1821, it is one of the most famous monuments in Switzerland. Mark Twain once described it as 'the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.' The site is free to visit and offers a moment of reflection away from the bustle of the city.

Don't miss

• View the lion's detailed expression and the broken spear – symbols of sacrifice and loyalty.
• Read the inscription 'Helvetiorum Fidei ac Virtuti' (To the loyalty and bravery of the Swiss).
• Visit the nearby Glacier Garden (Gletschergarten) for geological history.
• Take a moment to sit by the pond and reflect on the monument's meaning.

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Lion Monument

Cheapest way inChillon Castle Entrance Ticket in Montreux4.6★ · 325 travelers1–2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$18 per personSee dates →Best full dayMount Titlis and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich4.5★ · 2,002 travelers~10 hoursFree cancellationFrom$183 per personSee dates →Private & flexiblePrivate Classic Lucerne City Walk5★ · 16 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$190 per personSee dates →