Overview
One of the world's few surviving 360-degree panoramic paintings (112 m × 10 m), depicting the 1871 internment of 87,000 French Bourbaki soldiers by the Swiss.
Highlights
- Immersive Experience: 19th-century virtual reality — standing in the center is striking.
- Humanitarian Document: Shows Swiss Red Cross caring for exhausted soldiers.
- Rare Art Form: Fewer than 30 circular panoramas survive worldwide.
History
Painted by Edouard Castres (1881), a Red Cross volunteer during the Franco-Prussian War. Moved to Lucerne 1889. Restored 2000–2003.
Visitor Tips
- Tip 1: Use the audio guide for historical context.
- Tip 2: Let your eyes adjust to the lighting.
- Duration: 30–45 minutes.