Clan Rising
Spiez Castle today

Switzerland · Restored

Spiez Castle

Spiez Castle is a medieval castle in the municipality of Spiez in the Swiss canton of Bern and is a Swiss heritage site of national significance. Its core is a massive square stone keep from around 1200 with later residential wings and a Baroque "New Castle" added in the 17th–18th centuries. The complex includes terraces, gardens and an adjacent church and today is used for public events and exhibitions.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1200

Its prime

1750

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1750

What Spiez Castle looked like in its prime.

A massive square stone keep with very thick lower walls rises above a cluster of lower, white-plastered residential wings with green shutters and steep red-brown tiled roofs. The keep is capped by a high hipped tile roof; nearby are two slender conical-roofed turrets. A low stone curtain wall and terrace run toward the lake, with an adjacent tall church spire set slightly apart. The castle sits directly above a broad, calm lake with village houses on the opposite shore.

Its story

The story of Spiez Castle.

Spiez Castle's core is a massive square stone keep raised around 1200 in the Bernese municipality of Spiez, with a residence wing added to its north about a century later. During the second half of the 13th century tournaments were held around the castle, the visiting knights carved graffiti into the plaster of the main chimney.

The murder of King Albert I of Habsburg at Windisch in 1308 changed the castle's fortunes: in retaliation the Habsburgs withdrew half the Spiez fief from Thüring von Brandis and granted the whole to Johannes von Strättligen, who in 1338 sold castle, town, church and surrounding villages to Johann II von Bubenberg, Schultheiss of Bern. The Bubenbergs held Spiez until their extinction in 1506; Ludwig von Diesbach owned it for ten years before Ludwig von Erlach acquired the castle and its lands.

The von Erlach family ruled the town and villages until the French invasion of 1798, and kept ownership of the castle itself until 1875, after which it passed through several owners before a foundation bought the castle and its associated church. With its Baroque "New Castle" of the 17th–18th centuries, terraces, gardens and adjacent church, Spiez is a Swiss heritage site of national significance, used today for public events and exhibitions.

Step inside

9 places to explore in 1750.

The record describes 9 distinct spots at Spiez Castle, including 2 interiors: great hall (interior), adjacent castle church and spire. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Lakeside approach and gatehouseBase of the square keep (courtyard)North-facing façade of the residence wingGreat Hall (interior)Trüel on the northwest side of the keepBaroque 'New Castle' south wingCastle gardens and terrace overlooking the lakeAdjacent castle church and spireCurtain wall walk and terrace

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Whose castle

Clans who held Spiez Castle.

The families that held Spiez Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Strättligen

    Johannes von Strättligen was granted the whole Spiez fief by the Habsburgs after 1308; he sold castle and town in 1338.

  • Bubenberg

    Bought by Johann II von Bubenberg, Schultheiss of Bern, in 1338; held until the family's extinction in 1506.

  • Diesbach

    Acquired by Ludwig von Diesbach in 1506 and held for ten years.

  • Erlach

    The von Erlach family acquired Spiez around 1516, ruled the town until 1798 and owned the castle until 1875.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Spiez Castle.

Kindlifresserbrunnen, SwitzerlandFountainKindlifresserbrunnen34 km awayStadion Wankdorf, SwitzerlandStadiumStadion Wankdorf35 km away

Questions about Spiez Castle

What is the history of Spiez Castle?

Spiez Castle began as a medieval stronghold centred on a massive square keep raised around 1200. A residence wing followed, and the Bubenbergs acquired the castle in 1338 after Johannes von Strättligen sold it. The Bubenbergs held it until 1506, followed by Ludwig von Diesbach and then the von Erlach family. The castle was expanded and renovated through the Late Middle Ages, with a Baroque New Castle added in the 17th and 18th centuries.

What is inside Spiez Castle?

Inside Spiez Castle are the Great Hall and the adjacent castle church and spire. The Great Hall was expanded and renovated in 1600, then decorated in 1614 with high-relief stucco, painted themes, a monumental fireplace and carved woodwork. The castle rooms are used for conferences, concerts, exhibitions and other events.

Why was Spiez Castle built, and what was it used for?

Spiez Castle was built as a fortified stronghold and later became a residential castle. Its original medieval keep was surrounded by wooden buildings, which were gradually replaced by stone curtain walls, ditches and a gatehouse. Later owners expanded the residence wings and added the Baroque New Castle, while the complex is now used for public events and exhibitions.

Where is Spiez Castle?

Spiez Castle is in the municipality of Spiez in the Swiss canton of Bern, on a peninsula extending into Lake Thun. It stands above the lake, with Spiez village at its foot and the hills of Spiezberg and Bürg around the site. The castle and its adjacent church occupy a prominent lakeside position.

When was Spiez Castle built?

Spiez Castle was first raised around 1200, placing its origins in the early 13th century. Its massive square keep is the oldest principal part, while a residence wing was added around 1300 and further buildings followed in later centuries. The tower was raised several times, with a final construction phase in 1600.

Which family or clan held Spiez Castle?

Spiez Castle was held by the Strättligen, Bubenberg, Diesbach and Erlach families. Johannes von Strättligen received the whole Spiez fief after 1308 and sold the castle and town in 1338 to Johann II von Bubenberg. The Bubenbergs held it until 1506; Ludwig von Diesbach held it for ten years, followed by the von Erlach family until 1875.

What did Spiez Castle look like in its prime?

Spiez Castle has a massive square stone keep with very thick lower walls, rising above lower white-plastered residential wings. The wings have green shutters and steep red-brown tiled roofs, while the keep carries a high hipped tile roof. Two slender turrets, a low curtain wall, terraces and the adjacent church spire complete the silhouette above the lake.

Is Spiez Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Spiez Castle is still standing and has been restored. Its medieval square keep, residence wings, curtain wall, gatehouse, Trüel, Baroque New Castle, gardens and adjacent church remain part of the complex. Restoration works were undertaken in 1935–1936, including changes to the New Castle, which was transformed into a Bernese country house.

Can you visit Spiez Castle?

Spiez Castle can be visited as a public cultural site. Its rooms are used for conferences, concerts, exhibitions and other events, and its gardens are open to the public. It is also a Swiss heritage site of national significance, while a museum building is among its recorded uses.

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