A run-of-river power station on the Kleine Emme, an eleven-metre-tall rooster sculpture and signposted trails showcase different sides of Littau. The range extends from the history of electricity supply to local art and nature and history trails—providing a good basis for consciously choosing the focus of your stay.
Power Station, Bridge and Littau’s History
The Thorenberg power station is a run-of-river power station on the Kleine Emme in the Littau district of Lucerne. It was commissioned in 1886 and is considered Switzerland’s first alternating-current power station to supply an electricity grid with medium- and low-voltage levels. This specific structure provides a way to understand both the history of electricity supply and its connection to the river. At the fish ladder, a walkable grid floor offers the opportunity to observe individual fish.
The “Wächter am Thorenberg” (Guardian of Thorenberg), an eleven-metre-tall rooster sculpture, stands on the Thorenberg Bridge. It was created as part of a 1958 competition for a sculpture on the newly built bridge and was unveiled in 1961. The sculpture depicts a rooster removed from a church tower. The finished work weighs around 60 tonnes. The history of its construction, the year it was unveiled and its dimensions offer several specific points of reference for viewing Littau from a cultural and historical perspective.
St. Theodul Parish Church also combines architecture with its setting. It stands on the edge of the slope separating Littau’s town centre from the valley of the Kleine Emme. Otto Dreyer designed the church, which was built in 1938 and 1939. Inside, indirect light from the tower windows falls on the otherwise windowless west end. Its description therefore encompasses not only the construction period and the architect, but also the distinctive way light is used in the church interior.
Another historical reference dates back to 1839: that March, a first trial tunnel was built in Littau, later serving as an explosives depot during the mining period. The tunnel is thus one of the landmarks in local history, alongside the structures and art at Thorenberg.
Educational Trail, Circular Walk and Stage Route
The “Littauer Geschichte” (History of Littau) historical educational trail is 2.5 kilometres long, features nine information boards and is free to access year-round. Its stops include Littau Church, Littau Cemetery, Thorenberg Castle and Thorenberg Bridge. These named stops make local history and architecture the central themes of the trail.
The Roterwald nature trail has a different focus: this circular route passes information boards about the landscape, geology and forest edge. While the educational trail explores local history through its stops, the boards in Roterwald turn visitors’ attention to nature and the landscape. You can therefore choose between different themes and types of route without attributing the same focus to both trails.
The Emmenuferweg offers a route divided into stages. Its fourth and final stage leads from Malters through Littau to Emmenbrücke. The Emmenuferweg also runs directly past all BLS stations on the Lucerne–Schüpfheim line. The places and stations mentioned provide orientation along the route, while the educational trail and the Roterwald circular walk each describe their own type of route.
A Look Inside the Coffee Roastery
During a tour of the Hochstrasser Kaffee AG roastery, visitors learn more about production processes and the steps involved in roasting high-quality coffee. Advance registration is required. Afterwards, you can buy fresh coffee at the Hochstrasser Kaffee AG Coffee Competence Centre. This activity therefore takes more planning than the historical educational trail, which is open year-round: make sure to register before your visit.
Plan Your Stay to Suit You
If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Littau, your preferred focus can be a useful starting point: technology and local history, nature trails or a pre-booked visit to the coffee roastery. The arrangements differ: the educational trail is free and open year-round, while advance registration is required for the roastery tour. You can take these differences into account when deciding how to allocate your time during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Root, Meierskappel, Malters, Rigi Kaltbad, Schwarzenberg, Schachen, Buchrain, Meggen.
Back to the main travel overview: Lucerne.
