Discover Brienz: Woodcarving, the Lake and the Rothorn Railway

Brienz brings together woodcarving and village heritage with excursions on Lake Brienz and a historic steam railway. When planning your stay, it is worth getting to know the different sides of the town: from admiring carved details on Brunngasse to trips across the lake or into the mountains.

Woodcarving and Brunngasse

Brienz’s documented history dates back to 1146. Agriculture, fishing and shipping have long been part of the town’s cultural heritage. Woodcarving developed later: it became established in Brienz from 1816, followed by the woodcarving school in 1884 and the violin-making school in 1944.

The Swiss Woodcarving Museum’s permanent exhibition presents traditional and artistically significant works from the region. The tour spans the history of woodcarving from Brienz to the Bernese Oberland. On display are individual sculptures and, in some cases, complex group sculptures featuring people and animals, as well as narrative, figurative and ornamental reliefs. You can encounter not only a range of subjects, but also different forms of woodcarving.

The exhibition at the Brienz School of Woodcarving offers another perspective, with works ranging from practice pieces to final projects. During the exhibition room’s opening hours, visitors can watch two to four students at work. This opportunity depends on opening hours and school activities. The exhibition “From Fiddles to Master Violins” is devoted to Swiss violin making and traditional string music. It displays various instruments and follows the process from wood in the forest to the finished violin.

The narrow Brunngasse is another of the village’s well-known sights. A stroll reveals traditional wooden chalets and intricately carved details; the lane also offers plenty of photo opportunities. The museum, school and Brunngasse each offer a different focus: collections in one place, insights into training and craftsmanship in another, and carved details that shape the view of village architecture along the lane.

Brienz Between the Lake and the Mountains

Brienz is a municipality in the canton of Bern. Its settlements stretch from Lake Brienz through the village and hamlets such as Kienholz to peaks above 2,900 metres in the Faulhorn and Rothorn areas. The municipality covers 48.1 square kilometres; almost half of the area is forested, while more than a third consists of meadows, pastures and alpine farmland. These figures describe the municipality as a whole, not just the village. The alpine temperate climate, with warm summers and snowy winters, gives a stay a distinct seasonal character.

One striking way to experience the mountain landscape is the Brienz Rothorn Railway. The historic steam railway has been operating since 1892 and travels from Brienz to the Brienzer Rothorn in about an hour. When visibility is good, the journey offers views over Lake Brienz and the Alps. Service is seasonal and timetables may vary, so check the latest departure times before your trip.

Lake Excursions and Other Activities

Excursions on Lake Brienz depart from the landing stage in Brienz or from Interlaken Ost. From Brienz, a boat trip across the lake takes you to the Giessbach Falls. The “Lötschberg” paddle steamer crosses the lake twice a day and also every Saturday evening during the summer. On board, passengers can see the old steam engine in operation. A separate play cabin is themed “Globi’s Captain’s Club”; onboard facilities may change. Check the latest timetable and available services when planning your trip.

Brienz Wildlife Park is open all day, year-round, and admission is free. Check for any exceptional closures before your visit. For a different kind of outing, Brienz Lido is located right on turquoise Lake Brienz. It has a separate swimming pool for children and various play facilities; opening times and seasonal amenities may vary.

Brienz Tourist Information is located directly opposite Brienz railway station, at the start of Schnitzlerdorf, with its lakeside promenade. This means there are several options to choose from during your stay: woodcraft and village architecture, trips by train or boat, and wildlife watching or swimming. What you include depends on whether you want to discover Brienz mainly through its culture, a mountain railway journey or the lake.

Discover more destinations: Leissigen, Mürren, Lauterbrunnen, Niederried near Interlaken, Axalp, Hofstetten bei Brienz, Bönigen, Gundlischwand.

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