The "Rebstock" experienced turbulent times during the Sonderbund wars. In November 1847, both warring parties spent the night in the "Rebstock". The "Confederates" in the rooms and - because there were no more quarters anywhere in Lucerne - the soldiers of a battalion from Lower Valais on the side of the "Sonderbündler" in the hallways. Every year until 1848, the recruiters of soldiers from the King of the Two Sicilies and the Pope stayed in the "Rebstock". With many promises and generously donated wine, many a village boy suddenly became a guardsman.
Guests who come to the "Rebstock" today enjoy it. One person who appreciated it less here at the beginning of the 20th century, at the end of August 1911 to be precise, was Franz Kafka. The author of "The Trial" wrote in his diary: "...laughing girl leads on and on up to the room, serious, red-cheeked parlour maid. Small staircase. Locked walled-in box in the room. Glad to be out of the room. Would have liked to grind fruit..." - No one should have to leave the "Rebstock" without fruit nowadays. Hence the always well-filled basket with fresh apples...
The "Rebstock" is mentioned again and again in the media. Often because of the individual rooms. And often because of the sense of art that is clearly noticeable here. "An exemplary example of interior design. The rich wall decoration - mostly unique pieces and original graphics - is coordinated with the furnishings and optimally hung." (Quote "Hotel-Revue"). For over 20 years, the "Rebstock" has regularly shown regional and renowned Swiss artists in the restaurant rooms. Among them names like Dieter Roth or Ernst Buchwalder. Not two months go by without other pictures hanging on the walls of the "Wirtshuus" and the "Hofstube".
Art in the house
At the "Rebstock", artists are not only encountered indirectly through their works. Many local and travelling artists love the "Rebstock" and meet here. Musicians, cabaret artists, singers, writers, media representatives and friends who enjoy lively conversation. Sometimes there is a vernissage, but mostly - quietly and unpretentiously - there are always pictures of a new artist hanging on the walls. The "Rebstock" does not want to be a gallery. But there are few places where you can encounter art as closely and sensually as here.
Ursula Stalder, for example: She can always be discovered at the "Rebstock" as a guest or as an exhibiting artist. Ursula Stalder has been a freelance artist since 1979 and began her project "Collecting at the edges of Europe" in 1992. Exhibitions in Lucerne, Zurich, Rotterdam, Cairo, Berlin.
Anyone who knows Lucerne has also heard of the Lucerne Carnival. And anyone who knows about the Lucerne carnival has certainly been to the "Rebstock". But then - in these crazy February days - there is no longer a real "Rebstock". Then it's called "Schloss Find'sOhr", for example, or it becomes the "New Orleans Jazzkeller", the "Sidi Bousaid's marriage market", a run-down railway station or even a chaotic building site. Whatever the case, it's bubbling and boiling in the "Rebstock"... The Lucerne carnival is "rüüdig". From "Dirty Thursday" to "Ash Wednesday" it's boisterous, weird, unruly and above all quite loud almost around the clock.
