Reformierte Kirche (1745)

The Reformed Church in Wichtrach (Reformierte Kirche, building dated 1745) sits in Wichtrach, canton of Bern, Switzerland, in the Aare valley between the cities of Bern and Thun. It is the former parish church of Oberwichtrach, one of two villages that merged into the single municipality of Wichtrach in 2004.

What is there to see at the church?

The current building went up in 1745, yet the site is far older. A church in Oberwichtrach is first recorded in 1180 and was dedicated to Saint Maurice. For centuries it anchored the local parish, later the church district of Wichtrach. Today it is Protestant: Bern adopted the Reformation in 1527 and took control of the area.

The surroundings add a surprise for history fans. A large Roman villa with a burial ground was found close to the church. Its main house stood east of the church on the Lerchenberg slope, and the complex was roughly 100 metres wide. Excavators uncovered traces of wall paintings, and the villa was in use from the 1st to the 3rd century AD. Digging began in 1830 and continued in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. In 1994, finds below the church may point to an ancient sanctuary. Nothing is visible above ground, so the villa is something to picture rather than visit.

How do you get to Wichtrach?

The village lies on the Bern–Thun road and beside the motorway. The railway station on the Bern–Thun line has been open since 1859, which makes arriving by train from either city simple. The church stands in Oberwichtrach on the right bank of the Aare valley, at about 46.846 N, 7.579 E, and you can walk there from the station.

Is Wichtrach worth a stop?

Wichtrach is a quiet place of about 2,400 residents (the year-2000 figure for Oberwichtrach). The church works as a short stop on a trip between Bern and Thun or during a walk along the Aare. The river shaped the area: dikes were built against floods from the 16th century, and after the river correction of 1825–1827 the floodplain was divided up and farmed. The bridge over the Aare at Thalgut dates from 1833.

Do not plan a full day here. Half an hour is enough to look at the building from outside and take in the setting. Check opening times for the interior with the parish, since Swiss Reformed churches are often open only during services and events.

Frequently asked questions

When was the church built? The present building dates from 1745. An earlier church stood here by 1180.

Who was the church dedicated to? Before the Reformation it was dedicated to Saint Maurice.

Can you see the Roman villa? No, the remains are not visible above ground. The finds come from excavations that started in 1830.

How do you get there without a car? Take a train on the Bern–Thun line to Wichtrach station, then walk to the church.