ARRIVAL & PARKING POSSIBILITIES
It is easy to find Pfistern with the public transport, as it is located at only 5 minutes of distance from the Lucerne Station. If you arrive by car, here is some useful information.
PARKING
Within 5 minutes of distance there are several car parks; for instance, the Kantonalbank Parking or the Kesselturm.There are also blue zones or parking places with parking meter. These are only suitable for a short visit to Pfistern, as most of these parking possibilities are limited to one hour.
Direct access to the restaurant is not allowed, because the Lucerne old town is kept car-free.
HISTORY
The German name “Pfister” is derived from the Latin: the Romans called their baker “pistor”. The Germanization of the word turned it into “Pfister”.
The Lucerne baker’s guild was founded in 1408. The guild consisted of craftsmen, bakers and millers. In 1598 boat crews joined as well, followed in 1697 by pie bakers.
The guild house was the meeting place for politics and business. The “noble gentlemen” assembled and held meetings here. The prices for bread and flour were established and membership of new members were discussed. Of course the guild members did not let the occasion pass to have some great food and drinks during all of this. There was for instance the yearly “Bot”, during which food and drinks were consumed into the small hours.
The guild was turned into the association for bakers in 1829 and was dissolved on April 4, 1875. The house was sold on November 5, 1874 in an official auction for 80.000 Francs. After numerous ownership changes, the house was purchased in 1977 by the Lucerne Association of baker and pastry bakers.
The newly founded cooperative guild house reinstated the house in its original value and purpose. The most central activities nowadays concern the maintenance of good relations between the bakers, the transmission of the old spirit of the baker’s guild into contemporary society and the protection of traditions such as the bread market and annual baker’s feast.
Are you interested in membership of the cooperative? Everyone has the possibility to become associate of the guild house if (s)he can identify with the statutes. The obligatory purchase of at least one share certificate of 1.000 Francs serves to conserve the old and proud guild house.
More information on membership can be found here: