OtR: B1 to B2 … Exploring Thun

Takings side roads instead of the highway, today we traveled from our base in Bern (B1) to our base in Beatenberg (B2). No traffic lights once we left the city … just roundabouts. Unlike our move from Geneva to Bern, today’s OtR [on the road] included two sightseeing stops … both overlooking Thunersee [Lake Thun].

Our first stop was in Thun. Leaving the car in the multi-level city parking lot, we took the elevator from level -3 to level -7 to then ride another elevator in the parking structure up to Thun Castle … such convenience! It sure beat walking up some steep stairs under the hot sun.

Thun Castle was built around 1200 by the Dukes of Zähringen. Today, the castle serves as a museum … with each floor of the keep featuring exhibits ranging from the “Treasures from the Thun Town Hall,” to the “Thun Castle as a Ducal Building, Granary, and Prison,” to the “Bernese Hipped Roof,” and more. Stopping to check out the exhibits not only educated us, but also gave us a chance to catch our breath as we walked up the narrow, circular staircase … the site of a fratricide in 1322.

From the roof, we accessed each of the four towers for beautiful and expansive views of the city in every direction. And then back down the spiral staircase to check out the nearby Stadtkirche, the city’s main Reform church. While the octagonal tower of the church dates back to 1330, and the murals decorating the arched porch are from 1430, the nave is from 1738.

Next, we returned to the parking elevator, this time exiting on the level that connects the building to medieval Old Town for a stroll along the Aare River to the upper and lower lock covered bridges … both of which date back to 1720. In addition to controlling the water level of the Aare, the locks are a popular spot for ‘surfing’ … several people were trying their hand at doing so. Not only did we enjoy the charming bridges decorated with colorful blooms, but also the town skyline.

Completing our riverside stroll, on the way back we stopped for lunch at a small café named Grottino. We lucked out with a table in the shade … overlooking the river. The food was delicious … the portions large, but between us we managed to split a flammkuchen [crispy flatbread pizza] and a tuna salad … with room to spare for dessert.

Our sweet treat was excellent gelato from the shop next door to Grottino — Intrigo. And then … time to collect the car and continue to the next stop of our day.Leggi altro