Jesuit Church, Lucerne

Jesuit Church (Jesuitenkirche), Lucerne is a 17th-century Baroque parish church on the right bank of the Reuss in Lucerne’s old town. Construction began in 1666 and the church was completed and consecrated in 1677, making it one of the earliest large Baroque churches in Switzerland.

The interior features a richly decorated Baroque nave with side chapels, a prominent high altar and polychrome stucco work that draw attention to the church’s craftsmanship and scale. The church occupies a compact urban site so most views are from the adjacent Jesuitplatz and the bridges over the Reuss.

Built by the Jesuit order as part of their presence in Lucerne, the building has served as a parish and community church since its consecration in the late 17th century. The fabric and interior decorations have been maintained and restored periodically over the centuries.

The church sits in Lucerne’s historic centre immediately alongside the Reuss, a short walk from the main railway station and the Chapel Bridge. It is set within the pedestrianised streets of the old town and is easily reached on foot from central Lucerne.

• Best viewpoints: Good vantage points are the small square on the riverfront (Jesuitplatz) and the nearby Bahnhofbrücke, which frame the church facade against the Reuss.