The Burgher tower clock

The Burg­her tower was men­tio­ned for the first time in a docu­ment in 1371. It was part of the city defence on the left bank and was cal­led „Moos­turm” until the 14th cen­tu­ry. The Burg­her tower ope­ned in west­ward direc­tion onto the bridge which crossed the Kri­en­bach. It was situa­ted bet­ween the Sui­ter­sche dis­pen­sa­ry and the hotel „Wil­den Mann”. It dis­ap­peared in 1864 when most of the for­ti­fi­ca­ti­on of Lucer­ne was demolished.

From 1597 to 1856 the Burg­her tower was used as a dun­ge­on for les­ser cri­mi­nal offen­ces and in 1684 it was fit­ted with a fire alarm bell.

In 1785 a public clock was instal­led in the Burg­her tower and its move­ment has been pre­ser­ved. It has a spe­cial, rare­ly used form of escapement.