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The Lion Monument in Lucerne
The Lion Monument in Lucerne, Switzerland has a fascinating backstory. In the early 17th century, a regiment of Swiss mercenaries served as part of the Royal Household of France. During August 1792, approximately 1,000 Swiss guardsmen were entrusted with protecting the life of King Louis VI. Unfortunately, revolutionaries stormed the King’s residence, defended by the Swiss, resulting in a virtual massacre of the Swiss Guard.
Among the guards was officer Karl Pfyffer von Altishofen, who happened to be on leave in Lucerne on that fateful day. Devastated by the tragic loss of his comrades-in-arms, Karl Pfyffer von Altishofen spent years contemplating their sacrifice and decided to initiate the creation of a monument to honor the fallen men.
The monument was designed by the renowned Danish artist Bertel Thorvaldsen and consists of a giant dying lion carved out of sandstone. It is situated above a pond at the periphery of the medieval town. The monument was completed in just over a year and was unveiled in 1821.
Today, the Lion Monument attracts over 1.4 million tourists annually. Its profound impact on visitors is exemplified by Mark Twain, who once described it as “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.”
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