Schloss Spiez

Schloss Spiez is a castle on a promontory above Lake Thun at Schlossstrasse 16 in Spiez, in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. Its origins date to about 1200, when a Romanesque tower and church were built on the hill, and the complex grew over the following centuries. In 1306 the castle passed to the Bubenberg family, an influential Bernese noble house, and in 1516 it came to the von Erlach family, who held it for generations. The buildings therefore show medieval, Gothic and Baroque phases, with the original Romanesque tower still dominating the ensemble. The castle church, the Romanesque Schlosskirche, is one of the notable early churches on Lake Thun, and the interiors include period rooms that illustrate how the noble owners lived in different eras. Today the castle houses a museum presenting regional and family history, with furnished rooms, historic objects and displays that follow the development of the site from the early Middle Ages to the modern period. The approach is largely chronological, moving from the tower and medieval levels to later residential rooms, and the museum is a relatively compact visit. Outside, the rose garden and terraces overlook the lake and the surrounding mountains, adding a landscape dimension to the visit. The castle has been maintained by a foundation and public support, and ongoing restoration has preserved the structure and the interiors in good condition. The museum is open seasonally, from 1 May to 31 October 2026, Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00AM to 5:00PM, with extended hours to 6:00PM in July and August. Admission is CHF 12. Spiez is reached by train from Interlaken in around thirty minutes via Thun or by boat on Lake Thun, so the castle suits a half-day trip. Visitors should allow about one to two hours for the museum and gardens, and can combine it with a walk through the town or a lake excursion.