Lucerne

The Benedictine monastery of St Leodegar was founded here around 750 and acquired by Murbach Abbey in Alsace in the middle of the ninth century, by which time the area was known as Luciaria. The origin of the name is uncertain, possibly from lucius, the Latin for pike, marking a fishing spot on the Reuss, though derivation from the god Lugus has also been suggested. It is the most populous city in Central Switzerland and the region’s centre for business, transport, culture and media. The local dialect is Lucerne German.