The Lion Monument is one of the Lucerne tourist attractions. The sculpture of a dying lion pierced by a spear is a monument to the Swiss Guards of Louis XVI of France:
On 10 August 1792, the guards defended the Palais des Tuileries, in Paris. When it was stormed by revolutionaries. Those who survived the attack were arrested and guillotined on the night of 2-3 September.
The Lowendenkmal, or Lion Monument was carved out of the sandstone cliff face by the Danish sculptor Bertel Thorwaldsen, and it was inveiled in 1821.*
*From The Eyewitness Travel Guide to Switzerland.
Such a peaceful place. It must have felt quite surreal.
The place was actually teaming with people. But I managed to sneak around them to get the shots
Ah! Isn’t it strange. Your photo, this lion reminds me of the photos of this very lion in the zoo of Kabul, short after the coalition of the stupid warmongers had brought freedom, justice and democracy to Afghanistan.
Ah, and here’s for those who would not remember one of the many stories about this lion eleven years ago.
You seem to have had problems with your links last night. This is the case of the missing link
As to the stupid warmongers, they never stop do they?
Uff. Strange. Anyway, let’s look if this one works. : )
In case it doesn’t: Typing “Marjan lion Kabul zoo” you’ll get a wikipedia entry, and quite a few articles, pictures, videos etc..
Thank you
Aww… Bless him (the Lion). He should have had his freedom… but at least he was lovingly cared for in his declining years.
What incredible detail and talent. Thank you for showing us this, Cherie, I enjoyed it very much !
Thanks Uber
it certainly demonstrates great size and tremendous skill of the sculptor. wonderful shot CP
I agree, the sculptor was indeed very talented.
Great photos, Cherie.
I cannot reach Sean’s link?
Glad you like the photos
I can’t reach the link either, hopefully Sean will come back and add it later…
…near the village, the quiet village, the lion sleeps tonight…
Ah… That’s where the Tokens got their inspiration!
This poor Lion was dying, the ultimate sleeping!
I can reach both links, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marjan_%28lion%29
This is an amazing story and the look of the lion is NOT to happy.
I feel sorry for her.
However the monument is absolute fabulous.
It is a very sad story. Thank you for the additional link
Moving story, Sean. Thank you!
Well, at least so moving that I remembered it on first sight of CherryPie’s photograph.
Awesome sculpture, i’m not surprised that people come here to see it.
The artist is very talented. The statue should serve as a reminder to us.