Kasthofer-Gedenkstätte

The Kasthofer Memorial (Kasthofer-Gedenkstätte) in Ostermundigen is a small forest memorial on the Ostermundigenberg hill, in the canton of Bern, honouring the forester Karl Albrecht Kasthofer. It sits inside a stand of tall Douglas firs at about 46.948 N, 7.503 E, and makes an easy, quiet walk from the edge of Bern.

Who was Karl Kasthofer?

Karl Albrecht Kasthofer (1777–1853) was a Bernese forester and botanist, counted among the pioneers of Swiss forestry. He became forest inspector for the Bernese Oberland in 1806 and cantonal chief forester in 1832. In 1834 he received a forestry professorship at the newly founded University of Bern, and from 1837 to 1843 he sat on the cantonal government. He championed mountain forests and their protective role, and co-founded the Swiss Forestry Association.

What will you see?

The monument itself is plain and understated. The real draw is the trees: 68 Douglas firs planted in 1890 by forest owner Rudolf Bill. Their crowns form a high green canopy that walkers on route-sharing sites rate very highly. The grove has protected natural-monument status, so expect a woodland clearing with a commemorative marker, not a visitor attraction with facilities.

The memorial was unveiled on 10 September 1993 during the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Swiss Forestry Association. Foresters were looking for a fitting place and chose the edge of this striking Douglas fir stand on the Ostermundigenberg.

What is the story behind the trees?

The canton later took over the northern side of the hill for a shooting range, and the firs have belonged to the canton of Bern since. In 2005 the authorities relaxed protection and planned to fell the trees gradually. A group of private citizens raised money from sponsors and more than a hundred donations to compensate the forestry service for the lost timber income. The canton and the municipality then signed an easement contract: the trees may stand until they die naturally, and foresters step in only for disease, storm damage or lightning strikes.

How do you get there, and when should you go?

Ostermundigen borders Bern, and the Ostermundigenberg forms part of the walking terrain leading toward the Bantiger. You can reach the memorial on foot from the town, and it combines well with a longer woodland walk. The visit itself takes ten to thirty minutes. Pick a dry day when light filters through the crowns; spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No. It is an open forest site with no gates or tickets.

How long does a visit take? The memorial takes a few minutes to see. Add a walk around the Ostermundigenberg and plan one to two hours.

Could the trees still be felled? Not as part of normal forestry. The agreement between canton and municipality lets the Douglas firs grow until natural death.

Why is the memorial located here? Foresters chose this impressive stand on the hill above Bern as a worthy setting to remember Kasthofer when it was dedicated in 1993.