St. Peter and Paul

St. Peter and Paul Church (Peter-und-Paul-Kirche) in Köniz ranks among the oldest places of worship around Bern. It stands beside the former Teutonic Order commandery, now called Köniz Castle, on the south-western edge of the Swiss capital. Today it serves the Reformed parish, and for the region it is a key Romanesque monument with a High Gothic choir.

How old is the church and who built it?

The oldest parts of the nave date to the 11th century and rise over an even earlier church. Legend credits Queen Bertha of Burgundy with the foundation, while the documented history begins with Augustinian canons. In 1226 Emperor Frederick II handed the complex to the Teutonic Order, which ran a commandery here for centuries. During the 13th century the nave was lengthened and a bell tower was added on the north side. The Reformation of 1528 ended the commandery, and in 1729 the city of Bern bought the estate and made it a bailiff's seat. The castle's west wing has been the parish house since 1825, and since 2000 the whole complex has been a church community centre.

What can you see inside?

The highlight is the High Gothic choir. Fragments of stained glass from roughly 1317 to 1330, commissioned by Peter von Helfenstein, fill the side windows of its polygonal end. Between the windows survive pieces of wall painting dated 1389, showing Saints Peter, Paul and Elizabeth of Thuringia, with the donor, Commander Franz Senn von Münsingen, beside Paul. The Swiss inventory of cultural property treats the church as a building of regional importance.

How do you get there from Bern?

Take bus 10 from central Bern to the Köniz Zentrum stop, about 15 minutes. From there the church and castle are roughly a 10-minute walk. It makes an easy half-day trip, and you can pair it with a look at the castle courtyard.

When should you visit?

Opening hours are not listed in our sources, so check with the Reformed parish of Köniz before you go. Daylight visits suit the choir best, since the glass shows its colours in good light.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a Catholic church? No. The historic Peter and Paul church in Köniz belongs to the Swiss Reformed community today, although the dedication dates from the pre-Reformation era.

What is most valuable inside? The High Gothic choir with early 14th-century stained glass and the wall paintings from 1389.

Who ran the site in the Middle Ages? The Teutonic Order from 1226, and Augustinian canons before them.

How do you reach it without a car? Bus 10 from Bern to Köniz Zentrum, then walk about 10 minutes.