More than 800 years of history

Today’s castle with its outbuildings began as a fortified complex. In the 12th century there was already a seat of power here with a residential building and a ring wall – confirmed by the archaeological investigations during the major rebuild in 2013.

After the takeover by the Dukes of Zähringen, the imposing keep, still intact today, was built under Berchtold V. The Zähringen wanted to set a sign of their power over territory and trade routes – they did not want to live here. At a height of 14 metres lay a single room, today called the Knights’ Hall: once an imposing ceremonial room, today one of the best-preserved of the High Middle Ages.

Since the 12th century the castle was the seat of the Thun authorities and was repeatedly adapted to new uses. Under the long Bernese rule until 2006 there were many conversions; later the regional court was added. From at least the 17th century there was a prison in the roof of the keep. In 1888 the museum opened in the keep.

After 800 years in public ownership, a fundamental change followed in 2010: the town of Thun granted the properties – with the exception of the keep – under a building lease. In mid-2014 a conference and training centre, a hotel and a restaurant opened; the museum received a new entrance area and an additional exhibition room.