Laupen

The charming atmosphere of this town stems from its skillfully crafted arcades, medieval half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and picturesque castle that take visitors on an architectural journey to the past.

The quaint little town of Laupen lies at the foot of the medieval fortification and presents a pretty variety of colours and shapes with its many different roofs, ridge heights, and reddish-brown tiles. Thanks to its strategic location by the confluence of the Sense and Saane rivers, the impressive border fortress defied the Habsburg attack in the 14th century, thus saving the city of Bern.

The quaint little town of Laupen

Laupen Castle

You can’t miss it: The grand, majestic castle complex from the 12th century is the region’s landmark. It sits high on a sandstone cliff and offers visitors a beautiful panoramic view of the Chasseral, the Jura range, the Stockhorn range, and the Bernese Alps in the distance.

Laupen Castle

Art and Cultur at the Laupen Castle

On the first and third Sunday of each month from April to October, the castle opens its doors to the public, granting visitors a look behind the thick castle walls and access to the magnificent knights' hall, vaulted cellar, and prison tower. The permanent exhibition in the castle museum as well as documentaries and various guided tours provide additional historically, economically, and culturally interesting facts and figures about the castle complex and the town of Laupen.

There are also regular art exhibitions on the castle grounds and visitors have the opportunity to talk to the artists personally at special events.

Royal rest

If you want to make your visit extra special, you can spend the night at Laupen Castle. The beds and dormitories evoke the unforgettable feeling of being at camp. Brave and adventurous guests can also request to spend the night in one of the former prison cells.

More activities in Laupen

Due to its ideal location, the area around Laupen offers unlimited cycling, hiking, and swimming options. The outdoor swimming pool in Laupen lets you enjoy a hot summer’s day to the fullest.

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    By the way, Laupen has a lot to offer on rainy days, too: the theatre "Die Tonne" regularly stages its own productions, the town’s cultural committee organizes classical concerts and jazz matinées, and the movie theatre provides cinematic entertainment. For those who prefer something more active: at the BEO-FunPark, you can bounce, climb, and slide to your heart’s content and practise your aim in an introductory course in archery.

New Year’s Eve

On New Year's Eve, all of Laupen anxiously awaits the last strike of the clock at eight p.m., when a group of figures makes its way down from the castle to Bärenplatz square. Disguised with costumes and scary wooden masks, the "Bäsemanne", "Blaateremanndli", and "Glöggeler" roam the alleys of the small town, ridding it of the evil spirits with the help of ringing bells, inflated cow bladders, and brooms. This ancient custom is called "Achetringele" and is still celebrated today the way it has been for centuries. An unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages!

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