Emmenbrücke lies where the Kleine Emme meets the Reuss, on the boundary between the Swiss Plateau and the Lucerne Pre-Alps. Water, nature and industrial history give the town its varied character. The “Where the Emme and Reuss Meet” hike leads to the confluence and the many stones by the water—a practical starting point for discovering the river landscape.
River Landscape and Nature
The hike can be enjoyed independently as a family walk from Allmendli to Emmenbrücke railway station. Seasonal conditions may affect access, so take them into account when planning. If you are considering another riverside hike, the fourth and final stage of the Emmenuferweg is an option: it runs from Wolhusen along the shady banks of the Kleine Emme via Schachen, Malters and Littau to Emmenbrücke. There are numerous swimming spots along the way; access to them depends on the weather.
The Kleine Emme also helps define the local area: it forms the boundary between Emmenbrücke and the Reussbühl district of Lucerne. The Riffig-Listrig nature experience area has nature trails. Riffigweiher is a natural pond with plant and animal life worthy of protection; its amphibian populations are considered nationally significant. Riffigwald is the only larger forest in the Emmenbrücke district.
Industrial History and Contemporary Culture
Rainmühle combines a long history of use with its present-day cultural role: grain was processed there from 1495 to 1982. Today, it is an industrial heritage museum as well as an arts and cultural centre. It is also the largest historic industrial complex in the canton of Lucerne, and has the oldest machinery. Those interested in the region’s industrial history will therefore find not only a historic mill building here, but also a place with a contemporary cultural role.
Contemporary art is at the heart of the akku Kunstplattform. Since 2010, it has presented and interpreted this art, providing a platform for artists of local and national standing. Its centrepiece is a 500 m² hall in a former Viscose factory forwarding building. The exhibition programme also includes concerts, performances and readings—different formats that complement the cultural offering.
The Tramhüsli tells another part of the industrial story. The Viscose factory had it built in 1920 as a tram station; it served as the terminus of the Lucerne–Emmenbrücke tram line. Countless workers used it as a place to board and alight. Today, the Tramhüsli is one of the last surviving witnesses to Lucerne’s discontinued tramway.
The Viscosistadt site provides students of Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts – Design Film Kunst with a place to work. The site is characterised by high-ceilinged rooms and the working and production atmosphere of former factories. A virtual reality tour of the premises is available, offering a distinct way to explore this subject.
Architecture in Emmenbrücke
The Reformed Church of Gerliswil combines architectural history with a specific history of construction: it was built in 1934 to designs by Albert Zeyer. Today, it is a listed example of the functional architecture of the New Objectivity movement. Accessibility is also relevant when planning a visit: the church is easy to reach by public transport.
For an overview of the wider trip: Emmen.
