Spiez is a small town in a picturesque bay of Lake Thun in the canton of Bern, located in the administrative district of Frutigen-Bas-Simmental of which it is the capital, in Switzerland.
The town is located on the southern shore of Lake Thun, at the foot of the mt.Niesen.
The first settlements existed here in the X century BC.e. This is confirmed by numerous artifacts found during excavations. There is practically no evidence of the Roman period, and the first written mentions of Spitz date back to the 8th century.
In the X century. Spitz Castle was founded – a harsh and impregnable stone fortress, towering in the center of the town. It was the seat of influential baronial families. In the Middle Ages, winemaking began to develop in the vicinity of Spitz. The city is especially beautiful in summer when it is filled with lush greenery and flowers. In addition, well-known vineyards are located around the city.
Spiez owns one of the highest vineyards north of the Alps, where “Spiezer wine” is produced.From 1856 Spiez developed into a climatic health resort, and tourism is still an important branch of the economy today.
Access : Coordinates: 46.683333, 7.666667 / The nearest international airports are in Bern and Geneva. From these cities, you can reach your destination by train – Spitz has its own railway station- or by car via motorway A6. Alternatively, you can get here by steamer from Interlaken. – There is an express train from Bern via Thun at least every half hour.
Highlights :
- Schloss spiez – The castle of Spiez : The main attraction is Spiez Castle with representative rooms from the 13th to 18th centuries. The extensive castle park and the 1000-year-old early Romanesque castle church also attract many tourists.
- Heimat und Rebbaumuseum : : A small museum of wine and winemaking culture. Located next to the castle.
- Kirche von Spiez – Church of Spiez. One of the most beautiful Thunnersee churches. Already in 762 it is mentioned that there was a church here. The current building was built around the year 1000.
- Homeland and viticulture museum – Heimat- und Rebbaumuseum Spiez : The viticulture and local history museum is housed in a typical Simmental house from 1728. There is a representation of a rural household, a complete cooper’s workshop, “Trüel” with grape press and an exhibition on the work in the vineyard and in the cellar.
- The church of the parish of Brother Klaus, consecrated in 1974, is a unique multi-purpose church that has been a listed building since 1994; Justus Dahinden is the architect.
- You can get around not only by trains-buses, but also by taking a cruise on Lake Thun.There are many activities to do around the lake, as sailing,wind-surfing, river-rafting, bungee-jumping, biking , In addition, you can climb the Niesen Peak – by cable car or on foot along the stairs, numbering 11,674 steps.
Go next : Schloss Oberhofen , On the territory of the castle there is a richly painted medieval chapel / the town of Wichterheer / Schloss Hünegg : Another luxurious castle on the shores of Lake Thun. / Lake Thunersee : This lake occupies a basin of an ancient glacier.
