Plizio Visual Lab
Thun Castle
Thun Castle, an iconic landmark at the gateway to the Bernese Oberland, features a history spanning over 800 years and stands majestically atop the Schlossberg overlooking the city. The massive central tower, or keep, was built around 1190 by Duke Berthold V of Zähringen and is regarded as one of the most well-preserved medieval residential towers of its kind. Its interior features the monumental Knights' Hall (Rittersaal), one of the grandest and best-preserved secular medieval halls in Switzerland. Following the end of the Zähringen dynasty, the castle passed to the Counts of Kyburg before being acquired by the city of Bern in 1384, after which it served for centuries as the seat of regional bailiffs. Today, the castle houses a historical museum spread across five floors, showcasing regional artifacts and the history of Swiss justice. The four corner turrets offer visitors an unparalleled panoramic view of Lake Thun and the snow-capped peaks of the Bernese Alps.
- Location: Switzerland
- Top sights: Untere Schleusen · Alte Oele · Mühleplatz
- Nearby: Spiez (9 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -1 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 0 |
| Rain mm | 77 | 62 | 80 | 83 | 130 | 117 | 121 | 127 | 83 | 94 | 82 | 87 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- The castle's massive central keep was commissioned by Berthold V of Zähringen around 1190.
- The Knights' Hall is approximately 14 meters long and was designed for grand celebrations.
- Bern acquired the castle in 1384 following the Burgdorfer War against the Kyburgs.
- The distinctive high roof and corner turrets were added to the structure around 1430.
- A historical museum has been operating within the castle walls since 1888.
- The walls of the keep are up to 4 meters thick at the ground floor level.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Thun Castle (10)
Bälliz Fussgängerzone
Pedestrian zone in Thun, Bern.
Stadtkirche Thun
Church building in Thun in the canton of Bern, Switzerland.
Schlossmuseum Thun🏛 museum
Museum in Thun Castle, Bern.
Satellit Kunstraum
Gallery in Thun, Bern.
Stadt
Viewpoint in Thun, Bern.
Kunstmuseum Thun🏛 museum
Museum in Thun in the canton of Bern, Switzerland.
St. Marien
Church building in Thun in the canton of Bern, Switzerland.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
When was Thun Castle built?
What is housed in the castle?
Can you climb the towers?
Is the castle barrier-free?
Is there parking at the castle?
Thun Castle: where is it located?
Thun Castle: what is there to see?
Thun Castle: when is the best time to visit?
Thun Castle: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
