Nestled in the heart of Switzerland, Lucerne's history is a tapestry woven with threads of cultural, political, and social transformations. The city's journey from a modest settlement to a vibrant urban center is marked by significant events and influential figures that have shaped its identity over generations. The origins of Lucerne can specifically be traced back to the 6th century, following the fall of the Roman Empire. During this period, Germanic Alemannic tribes began to exert their influence over the region, overthrowing many of the power structures that survived Rome's collapse. Around this time, a group of Benedictine monks established the St. Leodegar monastery at the site of present-day Lucerne, which eventually fell under the control of Murbach Abbey in Alsace by the mid-9th century. This era subsequently denoted the beginning of Lucerne's development as a notable settlement, known then as "Luciaria." (The name's origin is debated, with some suggesting it derives from the Latin word for pike, "lucius," indicating a fishing spot in the Reuss River.) Then in 1178, Lucerne gained independence from Murbach Abbey's jurisdiction, marking the founding of the city proper. Its strategic location along the Gotthard trade route quickly elevated its importance in regional commerce, ultimately reaching the size of a sprawling, self-sufficient metropolis at the height of the Middle Ages. However, the increasing influence of the Habsburgs—particularly King Rudolph I von Habsburg—on the Monastery of St. Leodegar and its lands (including Lucerne) gradually led to unrest among the populace. Seeking independence from encroaching Habsburg rule, Lucerne allied with several neighboring towns.  

In 1332, Lucerne, along with the cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden, formed a coalition remembered as the "Old Swiss Confederacy." Adied by the inclusion of additional settlements like Zug and Bern, the Old Swiss Confederacy achieved independence from the Habsburgs at the Battle of Sempach in 1386. This triumph ignited an era of expansion and self-governance for Lucerne, solidifying its borders to resemble the ones that exist today. Lucerne's newfound autonomy allowed it to flourish as well, although the Black Plague briefly brought an end to this expansion for several years. Nevertheless, religious conflict eventually embroiled the city upon the start of the Protestant Reformation during the 16th century. Due to its predominantly Catholic identity, Lucerne became a target among the many Protestant-affiliated communities that surrounded it. But the victory of the Catholic-aligned forces at the Battle of Kappel in 1531 gave Lucerne some temporary respite, granting its residents time to recoup their losses. Former enemies like Zürich and Basel soon started to overshadow Lucerne in both political and economic power though, particularly after the Toggenburg War in 1712. The French Revolution's ripple effects then reached Lucerne in 1798, leading to the collapse of the Old Swiss Confederacy and the establishment of a democratic government. The Industrial Revolution arrived late in Lucerne, with a small percentage of the population working in industry by the middle of the century. Industrialization rapidly increased toward the start of the 20th century; especially once improved transportation links became readily available.   

Despite the mounting appearance of factories in Lucerne, its enduring pastoral character attracted artists, musicians, and writers. For instance, the German composer Richard Wagner made his home in Tribschen in 1866, and Queen Victoria's visit in 1868 further boosted the city's profile. The American writer Mark Twain's travel writings, inspired by his visits in 1878 and 1897, popularized Lucerne among global audiences. Swiss poet and Nobel laureate Carl Spitteler resided in Lucerne from 1892 until his death many years later in 1924. The city's status as a fashionable destination led to the development of modern tourism. Iconic hotels like the Schweizerhof Hotel (1845), Grand Hotel National (1870), and Château Gütsch (1879) opened that helped cater to the influx of international visitors. Swiss hotelier César Ritz managed the Grand Hotel National from 1878 to 1888, too, further enhancing Lucerne's reputation as a premier vacation retreat. Lucerne has since managed to remain one of Switzerland's most preeminent cultural destinations, offering access to an extensive variety of unique places to experience. Cultural heritage travelers have particularly come to adore exploring the city in recent years, due to the presence of historic landmarks like the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), the Lion Monument (Löwendenkmal), Old Town (Altstadt), and the open-air Glacier Garden (Gletschergarten Luzern) within its borders. Those sites, along with the city's vibrant cultural scene and stunning natural beauty, truly make Lucerne a captivating destination for countless sightseers from around the world. 

When local Swiss architect Emil Vogt redesigned the historic Hotel Château Gütsch, he chose Gothic Revival-style architecture as his main source of inspiration. Gothic Revival-style architecture was born from the Romanticism that swept through Europe in the middle of the 19th century. This demarcated a distinctive break from the Neoclassicism of the century prior, which drew its architectural inspiration from the Greco-Roman civilizations of antiquity. The desire for the medieval design principles of Gothic Revival architecture reflected a broader trend within Western societies—particularly in Europe—to preserve the past in some meaningful way. As such, architects took to preserving the surviving buildings from the period, while creating new ones that mirrored the aesthetic. The most common structural elements incorporated into buildings developed with Gothic Revival style was the pointed arch. This profound feature manifested around windows, doors, and rooftop gables. But it also influenced the development of entire substructures, leading to the creation of such features as mock parapets, conical towers, and high spires. Other characteristics associated with Gothic Revival-style architecture included a special kind of wooden trimming known as either "vergeboards" or "bargeboards." Porches featured turned posts or slender columns, while the roof was often deeply pitched and lined with dormers. Architects typically used this style for rural buildings set within a historic village or town, although some in the field chose it for commercial structures from time to time. Contemporary churches came to showcase Gothic Revival style the most, as their natural layout was well-suited to showcase the best of the form. 

The building showcases many elements of Classical Revival-style architecture. Also known as "Neoclassical," Classical Revival architecture is among the most common architectural forms seen throughout the world today. This wonderful architectural style first became popular in Paris, namely among French architectural students who had studied in Rome during the late 18th century. Upon their return home, the architects began emulating aspects of earlier Baroque aesthetics into their own designs before finally settling on Greco-Roman examples. Over time, the embrace of Greco-Roman architectural themes spread across the globe, reaching destinations like Germany, Spain, and Great Britain. As with the equally popular Revivalist styles of the same period, Classical Revival architecture found an audience for its more formal nature. It specifically relied on stylistic design elements that incorporated components like the symmetrical placement of doors and windows, as well as a front porch crowned with a classical pediment. Architects would install a rounded front portico that possessed a balustraded flat roof. Pilasters and other sculptured ornamentations proliferated across the façade of the building, too. The most striking feature of buildings designed with Classical Revival-style architecture were massive columns that displayed some combination of Corinthian, Doric, or Ionic capitals. With its Greco-Roman temple-like form, Classical Revival-style architecture was considered most appropriate for municipal buildings like courthouses, libraries, and schools. But the form found its way into more commercial uses, including banks, department stores, and hotels. Examples of the form can still be found throughout many major cities as well, including London, Paris, and New York City.  

Arturo Toscanini, composer who famously led the Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic, and the NBC Symphony Orchestra.  
Henry Moore, artist known for his semi-abstract monumental bronze sculptures.  
Shirley Bassey, singer remembered for her vocals on the famous James Bond films, Goldfinger, Moonraker, and Diamonds Are Forever.  
Thomas Mann, novelist, writer, and social critic who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1929.    
Claudio Abbado, conductor remembered for his talents leading the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and La Scala.  
Michael Jackson, singer best remembered for such albums as Off the Wall, Thriller, and Dangerous.   
Henry Kissinger, 56th U.S. Secretary of State (1973 – 1977)   
Madeleine Albright, first women to serve as U.S. Secretary of State (1997 – 2001)  
Wallace Simpson, Duchess of Windsor   
Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll  
Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn 
Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1837 – 1901)  
King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom (1936; abdicated and became the Duke of Windsor)