Cycling in Switzerland
Spiez
Spiez
Spiez
Spiez lies in a picturesque situation on the southern shore of the Thunersee, at the foot of the pyramid-shaped Niesen mountain. Landmark of Spiez is the castle on its rock spur above vineyards.
The medieval castle complex at Spiez, an impressive testimony to Bernese history, is built on a vantage point high over village and lake and has rooms dating from the 13th to the 18th century for official functions. The heritage and viniculture museum exhibits objects formerly owned by the castle’s occupants, including valuable pieces of richly carved wooden furniture. The castle terrace offers views of Spiez harbour and the gentle landscape surrounding the Thunersee (Lake Thun) on the site of the early Romanesque castle church built in the 10th century. A popular wedding venue, it is just one of several Romanesque churches along the shores of Lake Thun. Spiez’s castle hill is home to one of the highest vineyards north of the Alps.
Guests from Germany recognise the Belvédère Hotel as the hotel where the victorious German team of the 1954 Football World Cup stayed: the «Spirit of Spiez» was considered a crucial element of the «Miracle of Bern».
Water sports are an important leisure activity at Spiez and berths at the crowded harbour are coveted. Non-owners can take a cruise on the lake; scheduled boats ply between Thun and Interlaken via Spiez.
Spiez is a significant railway hub lying on the Lötschberg line, one of the two important north-south links in Switzerland, as well as on the line to Interlaken connecting to the Brünig Railway and the line through the Simmental, connecting to the Lake Geneva line. Military history enthusiasts can visit a WWII artillery defence museum at Faulensee near Spiez (reservation required).
Guests from Germany recognise the Belvédère Hotel as the hotel where the victorious German team of the 1954 Football World Cup stayed: the «Spirit of Spiez» was considered a crucial element of the «Miracle of Bern».
Water sports are an important leisure activity at Spiez and berths at the crowded harbour are coveted. Non-owners can take a cruise on the lake; scheduled boats ply between Thun and Interlaken via Spiez.
Spiez is a significant railway hub lying on the Lötschberg line, one of the two important north-south links in Switzerland, as well as on the line to Interlaken connecting to the Brünig Railway and the line through the Simmental, connecting to the Lake Geneva line. Military history enthusiasts can visit a WWII artillery defence museum at Faulensee near Spiez (reservation required).
Highlights
- Schloss Spiez – an impressive castle complex on a vantage point over village and lake with richly furbished rooms that house a museum.
- Schlosskirche Spiez – one of several beautiful early Romanesque churches along the Thunersee shore.
- Spiezer Bucht – natural harbour with berths for boats and yachts, restaurants, pier etc.
- Boat excursions on Lake Thun – a bus route timetable accesses places of interest around the lake. The fleet includes the restored historic lake steamer «Blümlisalp».
- Spiezer Zügli – a train on wheels takes passengers for a trip round the harbour. May to October.
Spiez lies in a picturesque situation on the southern shore of the Thunersee, at the foot of the pyramid-shaped Niesen mountain. Landmark of Spiez is the castle on its rock spur above vineyards.
The medieval castle complex at Spiez, an impressive testimony to Bernese history, is built on a vantage point high over village and lake and has rooms dating from the 13th to the 18th century for official functions. The heritage and viniculture museum exhibits objects formerly owned by the castle’s occupants, including valuable pieces of richly carved wooden furniture. The castle terrace offers views of Spiez harbour and the gentle landscape surrounding the Thunersee (Lake Thun) on the site of the early Romanesque castle church built in the 10th century. A popular wedding venue, it is just one of several Romanesque churches along the shores of Lake Thun. Spiez’s castle hill is home to one of the highest vineyards north of the Alps.
Guests from Germany recognise the Belvédère Hotel as the hotel where the victorious German team of the 1954 Football World Cup stayed: the «Spirit of Spiez» was considered a crucial element of the «Miracle of Bern».
Water sports are an important leisure activity at Spiez and berths at the crowded harbour are coveted. Non-owners can take a cruise on the lake; scheduled boats ply between Thun and Interlaken via Spiez.
Spiez is a significant railway hub lying on the Lötschberg line, one of the two important north-south links in Switzerland, as well as on the line to Interlaken connecting to the Brünig Railway and the line through the Simmental, connecting to the Lake Geneva line. Military history enthusiasts can visit a WWII artillery defence museum at Faulensee near Spiez (reservation required).
Guests from Germany recognise the Belvédère Hotel as the hotel where the victorious German team of the 1954 Football World Cup stayed: the «Spirit of Spiez» was considered a crucial element of the «Miracle of Bern».
Water sports are an important leisure activity at Spiez and berths at the crowded harbour are coveted. Non-owners can take a cruise on the lake; scheduled boats ply between Thun and Interlaken via Spiez.
Spiez is a significant railway hub lying on the Lötschberg line, one of the two important north-south links in Switzerland, as well as on the line to Interlaken connecting to the Brünig Railway and the line through the Simmental, connecting to the Lake Geneva line. Military history enthusiasts can visit a WWII artillery defence museum at Faulensee near Spiez (reservation required).
Highlights
- Schloss Spiez – an impressive castle complex on a vantage point over village and lake with richly furbished rooms that house a museum.
- Schlosskirche Spiez – one of several beautiful early Romanesque churches along the Thunersee shore.
- Spiezer Bucht – natural harbour with berths for boats and yachts, restaurants, pier etc.
- Boat excursions on Lake Thun – a bus route timetable accesses places of interest around the lake. The fleet includes the restored historic lake steamer «Blümlisalp».
- Spiezer Zügli – a train on wheels takes passengers for a trip round the harbour. May to October.
