Picture Perfect Thun

We came into Thun last night and found a place to stay and a good meal of Brats and Rossti (Swiss potatoes).

This is the view we woke to this morning from our hotel room! Spectacular.

We had a walking map of the sights here and spent the morning walking and enjoying them–along the water, the covered wooden walking bridges, the old beautiful buildings. These towns were never destroyed like most of Germany. The window boxes with hanging geraniums are spectacular in pinks and reds. We worked our way up the hill to the Thun castle up on a hill overlooking the city. It was spectacular. Most are. I know I say that a lot. It’s just such a wonder to us to see so many old and beautiful things around us.

The castle was built between 1180 and 1190. We walked through each level. Events are held there now, but there were historic displays in many of the rooms. The castle had a tower in each corner that we climbed from the upper floor (many floors–it’s a tall castle).

Here’s what we saw on our hike up the hill to the castle:

Old city walls:

The castle entrance:

The castle museum is housed in the five floors of the tower, and includes cultural and historic displays showing the development of the region over some 4,000 years.

The tower rooms were once used as prison cells and torture rooms. One display showed the torture tools once used here, but you could only look at them through a board with 1″ holes in it, to discourage people from taking photos of the implements. Interesting. There were displays of swords and executioner’s weapons.

We climbed to the top where we could see the “hip roof” all constructed from wood before nails were used, built in 1434. The original 1200s roof had been replaced. The wood beams were all original to 1434. The views from the 4 towers were spectacular! The roof is made out of clay tiles. I love looking at the details like the door knobs and locks. So intricate and interesting.

We climbed into each of the corner towers. Wow, the views!!

There is a beautiful old church behind the castle. That was our next stop.

Such care, such beautiful detail!

New pavers being installed.

Old pavers:

We found a covered path back down to town from the castle.

Lunch time at a wonderful Bakerei.

On our way back to the hotel, we watched young men surfing where the water was let out. So fun!

This was our hotel. It opened last week, and because it wasn’t quite finished yet, we got a great deal and free parking. Our room was on the top, far left, looking out over the water.