Founded about 1130 as an Augustinian double monastery and dissolved in 1528, it gave the town its name. The Gothic cloister and 14th-century church tower survive among the later bailiff's castle.
The Interlaken Monastery and Castle stand on the old monastic ground just off the Höheweg in the centre of Interlaken, in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. The complex was founded around 1130 as an Augustinian double monastery, with communities of both canons and nuns, on the flat land between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The Latin phrase inter lacus, between the lakes, is the origin of the town's name. For roughly four centuries the monastery held land, tithes and rights across the Bernese Oberland and was one of the most important religious institutions in the region. The end came in 1528, when the city of Bern introduced the Reformation and dissolved the foundation. Its property passed to Bern, and the monastery buildings were converted into the residence and administrative centre of a bailiff who governed the district on behalf of the city. Much of what survives reflects that second life. The Gothic cloister and the 14th-century church tower are the oldest visible elements, while the later bailiff's castle wings were built around and over the monastic structures. Architecturally the site is a layered ensemble of medieval ecclesiastical stonework and Bernese administrative buildings, rather than a single-period monument. The former monastery church, known as the Schlosskirche, remains in use as a place of worship, and the courtyard and gardens are open to walk through. The complex is not run as a conventional museum with a fixed collection or chronological exhibition, so the experience is closer to an architectural walk through a working civic site. Interior access is limited, and the cloister and church are the main areas to see. Restoration work over the past centuries has kept the cloister arcades and the tower in good condition, although the castle wings continue to serve administrative purposes and are not generally open to visitors. Information about the monastery's history is available from the Interlaken tourist office and on the official Interlaken tourism website. Because the grounds sit beside the town's main shopping and hotel district, a visit fits easily into a half-hour stop and pairs naturally with the nearby Höhematte meadow and the Höheweg promenade.
| Admission | Free to enter the grounds; interior hours limited |
|---|---|
| Hours | Grounds open daily; church at limited hours and Sunday service 10:00AM |
| Address | Schloss, 3800 Interlaken (Schlosskirche at Schloss 17) |
Why it matters
The Augustinian house founded about 1130 gave Interlaken its name, from the Latin inter lacus, between the lakes, and shaped the settlement until the Bernese Reformation closed it in 1528. Its buildings were then reused as the seat of Bernese bailiffs, marking the shift from church to state authority in the Bernese Oberland.
Location
Schloss, 3800 Interlaken (Schlosskirche at Schloss 17)
46.6872, 7.8637 View on map
Highlights
- Gothic cloister surviving from the Augustinian double monastery founded about 1130
- 14th-century church tower rising above the Schlosskirche
- Bailiff's castle wings added after the 1528 Reformation
- Free walk through the grounds beside the Höheweg and Höhematte
Tips for visiting
- Check church opening times before arriving, as interior access is limited outside the Sunday service at 10:00AM.
- Respect worship times and keep quiet inside the Schlosskirche during services.
- Combine the visit with the Höhematte meadow and the Höheweg, both within a few minutes' walk.
- Allow about 30 minutes for the grounds, cloister and a look at the tower.
When to visit
Visit on a weekday morning for quiet grounds, or in late spring and summer when the gardens are in leaf.
Accessibility
The courtyard is largely level, but older paving, steps and limited interior access can make parts of the complex difficult for wheelchair users.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there an entry fee for the Interlaken Monastery and Castle?
The grounds are free to enter. Interior access to the church is limited to set hours and services.
How long does a visit take?
Most visitors spend about 30 minutes walking the courtyard, cloister and exterior of the church and tower.
Why is the town called Interlaken?
The name comes from the Latin inter lacus, meaning between the lakes, and refers to the monastery founded about 1130 between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.