Thun Old Town | Thun

Information

Landmark: Thun Old Town
City: Thun
Country: Switzerland
Continent: Europe

Thun Old Town, Thun, Switzerland, Europe

Thun Old Town (Altstadt) is a medieval urban center situated at 560 meters along the Aare River, where it flows out of Lake Thun. It is located in the Bernese Oberland, approximately 30 kilometers south of Bern.

Visual Characteristics

The Old Town is defined by its unique split-level sidewalks (Hochtrottoirs) on the main street (Obere Hauptgasse). These elevated stone walkways create a two-story retail environment, where the roofs of the lower shops serve as the pavement for the upper level. The skyline is dominated by the four-towered Thun Castle and the white Octagonal tower of the City Church. The architecture consists of 14th to 16th-century stone and timber-framed buildings.

Location & Access Logistics

Position: Situated between the Aare River and the Castle Hill (Schlossberg).

Rail: A 5-to-10-minute walk from the Thun Railway Station, which is a major hub on the Interlaken–Bern–Milan line.

Vehicle: The Old Town is largely car-free. Public parking is available at the "City Nord Grabengut" or "Schlossberg" multi-story garages.

Navigation: The area is divided into the "Lower Island" (Bälliz), which is the modern shopping district, and the "Upper Old Town" (Obere Hauptgasse), which contains the historic core.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Thun was founded by the Dukes of Zähringen in the 12th century. Its strategic position at the river's outlet made it a vital military and trade bottleneck between the Alps and the Swiss Plateau. Geologically, the town sits on glacial moraine and alluvial deposits from the Aare. The river flow is controlled by historic wooden sluice bridges (Scherzligschleuse) that regulate the water level of Lake Thun.

Key Highlights & Activities

Thun Castle (Schloss Thun): A 12th-century fortress containing a historical museum and the Knights' Hall, one of the best-preserved medieval halls in Switzerland.

Obere Hauptgasse: The primary historic street featuring independent boutiques, cafes, and the unique dual-level architecture.

Rathausplatz: The town hall square, which dates back to the 16th century and serves as the center for weekly markets.

River Surfing: The lower sluice bridge (Mühleschleuse) creates a standing wave where surfers practice in the center of the city.

Aare Quay: A scenic riverside walk lined with restaurants and chestnut trees.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The Old Town is fully developed with modern retail, pharmacies, and banks. 5G cellular coverage is consistent. While the Bälliz and riverside are flat and wheelchair accessible, the upper Old Town and the approach to the castle involve steep cobblestone inclines and stairs.

Best Time to Visit

Summer: For riverside dining, river surfing, and boat trips on Lake Thun.

December: For the traditional Christmas market and the "Waggis" carnival figures.

Wednesday/Saturday: For the local regional market at Rathausplatz and Bälliz.

Facts & Legends

Thun is known as the "Gateway to the Bernese Oberland." A verified historical fact: The Thun Castle has never been conquered in its 800-year history. According to local lore, the "Fulehung" (a masked jester) appears once a year during the "Ausschiesset" festival to chase away the crowds with pig bladders, a tradition dating back to the Battle of Murten (1476).