A bushy perennial (Medicago sativa, subspecies sativa) growing to 90 cm/3 ft; leaves with three leaflets, broadest and toothed towards the tip; pea-flowers purple or blue, in dense spike-like inflorescences; fruit a spiral pod with 1½3 coils; also called alfalfa. Its origin is unknown, but it is now an important forage crop, widely introduced in temperate regions. (Family: Leguminosae.)
Coordinates: 47°03′N 8°18′E
| Lucerne | |
|---|---|
| Canton | Lucerne |
| District | Lucerne |
| Coordinates | 47°03′N 8°18′E |
| Population | 57,533 (December 31, 2005) |
| Area | 24.15 km² |
| Elevation | 436 m |
| Postal code | 6000 |
| Mayor | Urs W. Studer |
| Website | www.luzern.ch |
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Lucerne |
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Lucerne (German: Luzern (help·info)) is a city in central Switzerland.
Due to its location on the shore of Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee) within sight of Mount Pilatus and Rigi, Lucerne is traditionally considered as a touristy city.
History
Origins
The city grew from a small fishing village of ancient origins on the shores of Lake Lucerne with the founding of the Benedictine monastery of St. Leodegar in around 700 AD.
Confederation and modern Switzerland
The opening of the St. Gotthard Pass route in the 13th century made Lucerne into an important trading town for the transshipment of goods over the Alps.
In 1601 the city was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami, with the waves of the tsunami repeatedly pounding the town after being reflected back against it by the far shore of Lake Lucerne.
Lucerne was the center of a peasants' revolt in 1653 against the aristocratic regime in the towns, the members of whom had grown rich from mercenary service in foreign armies.
Lucerne was briefly capital of the Napoleonic Helvetian Republic from 1798-1803.
In 1841, Lucerne seceded from the Swiss Confederation, leading to the Sonderbund War of 1847.
The construction of the Gotthard railway and the establishment of ship transport on Lake Lucerne have made Lucerne into one of Switzerland’s main tourist destinations.
Lucerne today
In August 2006, the city government agreed on a merger with the adjacent municipality of Littau.
Sights
Since the city straddles the Reuss River where it drains the lake, it has a number of bridges.
Downriver, between the Kasernenplatz and the Mühlenplatz, the Spreuerbrücke or Mill Bridge zigzags across the Reuss.
Old Town Luzern is located just north of the Reuss River, and still has several fine half-timber structures with painted fronts.
The twin needle towers of the cathedral of St. Leodegar sit on a small hill just above the lakefront.
The Culture and Convention Center Lucerne beside the lake in the center of the city was designed by Jean Nouvel.
Events
The city hosts the Lucerne Festival for classical music each year in late summer.
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