“The Lion of Lucerne is the saddest and most moving piece of stone in the world.”
~ Mark Twain
Located in an idyllic park in Lucerne, this sandstone rock relief is visited by around 1.4 million people every year. The 1 x 6 meter work of art pays homage to the selfless heroes of the Swiss Guards who fell in 1792 when revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris.
The idea behind this creation was by Officer Karl Pfyffer von Altishofen who was so deeply affected by the loss of his companions. He initiated a collection of funds to finance this major project. Famous Danish artist, Bertel Thorvaldsen designed this art piece and it was hewn in 1820-21 by Lukas Ahorn.
