Towering in the distance above Lucerne are the famed Swiss Alps, with Mounts Pilatus and Rigi peaking out of the clouds to welcome visitors. Lucerne has long been a tourist favorite, with historic sites such as the Chapel Bridge, the oldest covered bridge in Europe, with its 13^th century Water Tower. Each winter, Lucerne holds Fasnacht, a raucous carnival leading up to Aschermittwoch (Ash Wednesday). Residents celebrate as visitors gather from all around the world to join them in the revelry.