Station 1
Introduction
The University of Lucerne is the youngest of the twelve Swiss universities. In the academic year 2019/20, 3500 students were enrolled in the University’s four faculties and one department.
Since its founding in 2000, the University of Lucerne has witnessed an extremely positive development, and can thus be considered a real success story. Although the university has only just grown out of its infancy, the history of higher education in Lucerne goes back to the late 16th century: the era of religious wars between the Catholics and Protestants. In contrast to other Swiss universities, the development of a university in Lucerne was significantly delayed, something that can only really be explained by considering the city’s backdrop, that of a Catholic society. Unlike in the reformed cities, the founding of a ‘University of Lucerne’ failed four times before it finally succeeded on 21st May 2000 – with a sensational premiere, namely the first time in the world that a university was founded by means of a popular vote. In short, the road to the University of Lucerne was long, but since its late foundation it has seen a spectacular start.
You can find out how it all came about at 20 stops on the tour of the city of Lucerne.
You can read the complete texts at each station or listen to the audio contribution. Enjoy your stroll through the city of Lucerne.
The University of Lucerne is the youngest of the twelve Swiss universities. In the academic year 2019/20, 3,500 students were enrolled in the University’s four Faculties and one Department.
Since its founding in the year 2000, the University of Lucerne has witnessed an extremely positive development, and can thus be considered a real success story. Although the University has only just grown out of its infancy, the history of higher education in Lucerne goes back to the late 16th century: the era of religious wars between Catholics and Protestants. In contrast to most other Swiss universities, the development of a university in Lucerne was significantly delayed. This delay can only really be explained by considering the fact that Catholic society constituted the backdrop to the city. Unlike in the reformed cities, the founding of a University of Lucerne failed four times. It only finally succeeded on 21st May 2000, and that with a sensational premiere. The University of Lucerne was the first in the world to be founded by means of a popular vote. Put briefly, the road to the University of Lucerne was long; but since its late foundation it has seen a spectacular start. How did all this come about?
On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, the rectorate suggested a guided tour of the city of Lucerne, in the form of this app. In an informative and entertaining way, this tour presents important milestones in the rocky path that led to the founding of the University of Lucerne. It starts at the baroque Jesuit Church. This church still marks the central role of the Jesuit order, the ‘Societas Jesu’, in the first two centuries of higher education in Lucerne. At 20 listening posts, the tour gives you information on all the important chapters in this path. It gives you a peek into little-known city history – leading you past tourist sights and up to the Hotel Montana, from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city. From there, you go down to the shores of Lake Lucerne, around the lake basin and to the location of the present-day University of Lucerne. Interesting historical insights await you on your tour, which largely follows the events in chronological order. At each station you will hear about energetic, real-life people who acted out the main roles in selected chapters in the story of the University.
Enjoy your stroll through the city of Lucerne.
