The wooden bridge "Kapellbrücke" built in the first half of the 14th century as part of the town’s fortification, takes its name from the nearby St.-Peters Chapel. The Chapel Bridge, the oldest covered bridge in Europe, is the symbol of Lucerne. The panels, dating back to the 17th century, depict scenes from Swiss and city history. On August 18, 1993 a fire destroyed a large part of the bridge, which is considered to be Lucerne’s emblem. Only the beginning and end of the bridge and the Water Tower were saved from the flames. With an unprecedented intervention the missing part of the bridge was rebuilt in only eight months, making possible its reopening on April 14, 1994. This closes the most recent chapter in the history of this world-famous bridge.
