Thun, A Fairy Tale Town In The Swiss Alps
In the world there are still many towns that have not lost their charm of bygone times, when it seemed that their houses, streets and squares belonged to a place told in a story by the Brothers Grimm. That happens in Thun, a fairytale town located in the wonderful Swiss Alps, and that’s where we’re headed.
We have set our sights on Thun and we march quickly towards one of the most beautiful villages left in old Europe. A town on the shores of a beautiful lake that has not lost an iota of its incredible charm and that continues to seem like a trip back in time for every visitor who comes to its lands.
The charm of Thun
To visit Thun we must go to the Swiss Alps, specifically to the area known as the canton of Bern, within whose limits is the administrative district of the same name, which is the most populated city in the area.
This charming town in Switzerland is located on the shores of a beautiful lake with the same name as the city itself. Its historic center, the true heart of the place, has truly magnificent views of the icy alpine waters, being able to see from its streets the peculiar islet of the Aare.
In fact, the beauty of Thun is such that it has become a top tourist destination since the railway appeared in its streets in 1879, which has allowed the city to grow and spread throughout the territory, showing a corner of true fairy tale.
Thun history
But Thun, to become the popular and beautiful fairy tale that it is today, has had to live a long history that dates back more than 4,000 years in the past, as the area has been inhabited since time immemorial.
The town that gives its name to the city is the Celtic, who already inhabited these lands in 2500 BC and named Thun as Dunum , whose meaning in Spanish is “Fortified City”, as it was an important and powerful enclave many centuries ago.
Since then, many other peoples have passed through the borders of Thun, forming part of the Holy Roman Empire in the power of King Conrad II since 1033, receiving city rights in 1264.
What to see in Thun
As you can imagine, a fairytale town in the heart of the Swiss Alps like this hides many corners to see and visit during your stay. Beyond the wonderful walks along the lake, we find other beautiful attractions in the city.
A must see in Thun is its old town. The history of the place seems to speak in your ear as you stroll through the narrow alleys that lead to the houses of the old nobles and bourgeoisie until you crown the majestic tower of the city’s castle.
In 1809, a 360-degree panoramic painting of the town of Thun was created. It is called Panorama Wocher and is the oldest copy of its kind that is preserved worldwide.
We have already mentioned Spiez Castle, a fortification that includes a beautiful chapel in the early Romanesque style and which has been decorated with adjoining gardens to embellish an interior filled with Baroque furniture. An ideal place for wonderful concerts, its most common use today.
The Saint Batus caves are another of Thun’s privileged places. Crossed by underground rivers, it is an illuminated circuit that receives its name from the saint who lived there in the 6th century, according to legend.
If you like skiing, you cannot miss the Jungfrau, Eiger and Mónch mountains, near Niederhorn peak, between Brienz and Thun lakes. They are wonderful areas for outdoor sports such as hiking or mountaineering.
Also on the shores of the lake we find the pyramidal mountain known as Niesen, which offers a wonderful panorama of the area. You can enjoy it on a boat trip if you wish, because the landscape is phenomenal.
We are ending our visit to the magical areas of the city by approaching the Oberhofen castle, surrounded by beautiful gardens on the shores of the lake and where you can see beautiful exhibitions that reflect the history of the place.
To finish, nothing like a walk in the middle of nature visiting the Justistal Valley, again a wonderful region for hiking and outdoor sports that propose a healthier life in a unique environment around Thun.
