A Decision with Lasting Consequences

In 1574, Lucerne made a decision that would shape the face of the city for centuries to come.

The city invited the Jesuits to Lucerne. The order was regarded at the time as one of the most important forces in European education. Their mission was clear: to educate young people, to spread knowledge, and to strengthen the Catholic faith.

Before long, a Jesuit college arose in Lucerne, drawing students from across the entire region. Teaching, scholarship, and religion were closely intertwined.

The Jesuit Church was later built directly beside this center of learning. It was far more than a house of worship — it was the spiritual heart of an entire movement.

To this day, the church stands as a reminder of how closely education and the history of the city have always been bound together in Lucerne.