Schloss Interlaken

Schloss Interlaken is a castle in the heart of the town of Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland, built on the foundations of a medieval Augustinian monastery. Today it houses the district administration, yet its historic walls, cloister and castle church make it a worthwhile stop on a walk through town.

How did the monastery begin?

Written records point to 1133, when Emperor Lothair III placed the abbey under his protection. According to tradition, the founder was Baron Seliger von Oberhofen, who established a community of Augustinian canons around 1130. The monastery received the Latin name "Inter lacus", meaning "between the lakes", because it stands on the strip of land between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The name of the whole town derives from it. Before that, the settlement beside the monastery was known as Aarmühle.

A double monastery with real power

Interlaken was a double monastery, with nuns living alongside monks. One source puts the 14th-century community at around 300 nuns and 40 monks. The abbey became the largest landowner in the Bernese Oberland and shaped life across the region. The presence of the nuns is also linked to one explanation of the name of the Jungfrau, the "maiden" mountain.

Reformation and the castle

The monastery ended with the Reformation. The canton of Bern took over its property in the first half of the 16th century (sources give different dates, from about 1525 to 1528). The complex became the seat of Bern's governor and gained the name Schloss, or castle. In later years it served varied purposes, including as a warehouse and a hospital. The former monastery church became the castle church (Schlosskirche).

What to see

• Gothic cloister – a surviving gallery around the inner courtyard.
• Chapel from 1452 – one of the older parts of the complex.
• Church tower – dating from the early 14th century, one of the few medieval traces in the church building.
• Courtyard and garden – a calm corner of the town, away from the bustle of the main streets.

The interior serves administrative functions, so visitors mainly see the outer parts and the church. It is worth checking current access times with the local tourist office.

Frequently asked questions

Is Schloss Interlaken a castle in the classic sense? Not quite. It is a former monastery that became a seat of authority after the Reformation, hence the name Schloss.

Where does the name Interlaken come from? From the Latin "inter lacus", "between the lakes", the name given to the monastery located between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.

Can I go inside? The building is still used by the administration, so access to the interiors is limited. The cloister, courtyard and castle church are the easiest parts to see.

How long does a visit take? Usually 30 to 60 minutes, especially if you combine it with a stroll through central Interlaken.

Where is it? In the town centre, close to the Aare river and the main streets, an easy walk from Interlaken West station.