Luzern, Switzerland — Central Europe (the Alps)
The Lion Monument
Der Löwendenkmal
— Le Monument du Lion —
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 27, 2013
1. The Lion Monument Marker
The Lion Monument is dedicated to the memory of the Swiss mercenaries who, in the service of Louis XVI, King of France, were killed during the French Revolution in Paris when the Tuileries were invaded on August 10, 1792, or who were guillotined on September 2nd/3rd, 1792.
The inscription “Helvetiorum fidei ac virtute” mean “To the loyalty and bravery of the Swiss”.
It is important to know that, in addition to agriculture and town-crafts, the mercenaries’ service was an important and gainful trade at the time of the Ancient Confederation. At the beginning of the French Revolution, in 1789, about 40,000 Swiss were serving under foreign banners.
Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844), the classicist Danish sculptor, designed the Lion Monument when he was in Rome, in 1819. Lucas Ahorn, stone-mason of Constance (1789-1856), carved it out of the sandstone rock in 1820/1821. The sculpture is six meters long.
The Lion Monument was projected because of Captain Carl Pfysffer von Altishofen. He was in Lucerne during the invasion of the Tuileries and he wished to have a memorial for his dead comrades.
The Lion Monument was inaugurated on August 10, 1821, and the Town of Lucerne bought it in 1882.
Topics. This monument and memorial is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music
this page online
Location. 47° 3.481′ N, 8° 18.63′ E. Marker is in Luzern. Memorial is on Denkmalstrasse, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Denkmalstrasse 10, Luzern 6006, Switzerland. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Spiegellabyrinth «Alhambra» (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Inner "Weggis" Gate (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Teiling Alley (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); "Star Square" (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); The von Silenen Home (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Johann Baptist Marzohl (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); "At the White Cross" Inn (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Balthasar House (approx. 0.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Luzern.
Regarding The Lion Monument. Of the 950 Swiss Guards at the Tuileries about 600 were killed in the fighting, or when attempting to surrender, by the attackers who were infuriated at their action in firing on the crowd. About 60 were escorted as prisoners to the Hôtel de Ville but were massacred there. Others died in prison of their wounds or were killed during the September Massacres that followed. In all only about 100 Swiss are believed to have survived. The gentlemen at arms, who numbered only about 200, were inconspicuous in civilian
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 27, 2013
2. The Lion Monument Marker
Lion Monument markers in French and German are to the left.
Also see . . . Lion Monument. Wikipedia entry:
The Lion Monument, or the Lion of Lucerne, is a sculpture in Lucerne, Switzerland, designed by Bertel Thorvaldsen and hewn in 1820–21 by Lukas Ahorn. It commemorates the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution, when revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris. (Submitted on August 5, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 27, 2013
3. The Lion Monument
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 27, 2013
4. The Lion Monument
Die X Augusti. II et III Septembris MDCCXCII
Haec sunt nomina eorum qui ne sacramenti fidem fallerent fortissime pugnantes ceciderunt. Solerti amicorum cura cladi superfuerent.
Duces XXV.
Maillardoz • Bachmann • Reding • Erlach • Salis-Zizers • H. Diesbach • Gottrau • L. Zimmermann • Wild • Castelberg • Gros • P. Glutz • S. Maillardoz • Ernest • Forestier • Diesbach-Steinbrugg • Waltner • I. Mallardoz • Muller • Montmollin • Castella-Orgemont • Caprez • Allemann • Chollet • Boeching • Richter
Milites Circiter DCCLX
Duces XVI
H. Salis-Zizers • Durler • Pfyffer-Altishofen • E. Zimmermann • Repond • I. Zimmerman • Duluze • A. Zimmermann • Glutz • Gilbelin • I. Maillardoz • Ville • Constant-Rebecque • LaCorbiere • Forestier • Lorentan
Militers Circiter CCCL
Huius rei gestae cives aere collato perrenne monumentum posuere
Studio C. Pfyffer Arte A. Thorvaldsen Opera L. Ahorn
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein
5. Photochrome Postcard of the Lion Monument (ca . 1890-1900)
(Image courtesy of the US Library of Congress)
Latin-English translation, and excludes the names as they are included in the preceding caption. To the loyalty and bravery of the Swiss
On August 10. 2 and 3 September 1792
These are the names of those who fell fighting most valiantly not to be entertained of the faith of the sacrament. Expert care of friends superfuerent tragedy. 25 Leaders (names)...
Roughly 760 soldiers (names)...
16 Leaders (names)...
Roughly 350 soldiers
Latin-English translation, and excludes the names as they are included in the preceding caption. To the loyalty and bravery of the Swiss
On August 10. 2 and 3 September 1792
These are the names of those who fell fighting most valiantly not to be entertained of the faith of the sacrament. Expert care of friends superfuerent tragedy. 25 Leaders (names)...
Roughly 760 soldiers (names)...
16 Leaders (names)...
Roughly 350 soldiers
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 27, 2013
6. The Lion Monument
Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,327 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 5, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 5. submitted on August 20, 2013. 6. submitted on August 5, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
