< SWITZERLAND | LUCERNE: Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern

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Designed by architect Dr Melchior Berri, the Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern opened its doors in 1845, and it has been in the ownership of the Hauser family since 1861. The Hotel is one of only a few hotels in Switzerland to be of national importance from an art history perspective. Its original architecture has been preserved to this day.

During its long history, the Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern has played host to emperors and empresses, kings and queens, writers, politicians, business magnates, and musicians... Tolstoy wrote one of his works here; Richard Wagner completed Tristan und Isolde while residing at the Schweizerhof and met Ludwig II. Mark Twain stayed at the Hotel during his travels through Switzerland and wrote of the experience. When the Zeugheer Hall was inaugurated in 1865, the French Empress Eugénie residing at the Hotel at the time praised the premises, stating there could be few halls of greater splendour even in France.

Following several phases of renovation work in recent years, the Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern once again fully reflects its 19th century splendour while providing an infrastructure which satisfies all the demands of modern-day amenities.

Key dates in the Schweizerhof's history:
1845 Hotel opening by the von Segesser brothers
1847 Visit by General Dufour on the occasion of the surrender and dissolution of the special federation
1854 Visit by King Leopold I
1857 Visit by Count Leo Tolstoy (7.7.1857)
1859 Richard Wagner, regular guest, composes the 3rd act of "Tristan and Isolde" in the Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern. In early April 1866, he moved to Haus Tribschen
1861 Gottfried, Albert and Adolf Hauser buy the Hotel Schweizerhof (20.3.1861)
1865 Opening of the great ballroom (today: Zeugheer Hall) on 1.6.1865, Architect Leonhard Zeugheer
1897 Mark Twain visits the Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern, A Tramp Abroad
1998 Complete Renovation and Rebuilding
1999 Re-opening
Since 2001 Annual stage event and the "Get-Toghether of the Stars" of the Blue Balls Festival (in 2001 with B.B. King, Candy Dulfer, Keb'Mo' and others)
2002 Blue Balls Festival with Jovanotti, Van Morrison and others
2003 Blue Balls Festival with Randy Newmann, Gianna Nannini, Jimmy Cliff and others
2004 Blue Balls Festival with Zucchero, Nina Hagen and others; Rose d'Or Festival with Roger Moore, Christopher Lee and others; Grand Fashion Festival with Vivienne Westwood
2005 Fumetto Comics Festival; Blue Balls Festival with UB 40, Al Jarreau and others; Rose d'Or Festival with Bob Geldof and others; Stella Fashion Award with Wolfgang Jopp
2006 Fumetto Comics Festival; Rose d'Or Festival with Gotthard and others; Blue Balls Festival with Stefan Eicher, Billy Idol, Tracy Chapman and others; Keanu Reeves

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