Discover Münsingen

Münsingen lies in the Aare Valley between Thun and Bern and is considered a semi-urban regional centre. The town has a 2,500-year history, including Celtic settlements from the La Tène period. In Münsingen, different ways of exploring local history come together: the castle and archaeological traces, craft demonstrations, and paths through former townscapes. If you are looking for hotels in Münsingen, these themes can help you tailor your stay to your personal interests.

Castle, crafts and archaeological traces

Münsingen Castle was built in 1550 by Hans Franz Nägeli. The Museum Schloss Münsingen presents special exhibitions on topics of local and regional importance; individual exhibitions may change. Guided tours are available at any time by prior arrangement. If you are planning a tour, it is advisable to arrange it well in advance.

At the Alte Öle, oil makers demonstrate how they process walnuts using 300-year-old equipment and press them into aromatic oil. Demonstrations follow the facility’s visiting schedule. A tour of the historic rooms also introduces traditional crafts, including making shingles and rakes, repairing shoes and nail forging. The waterwheel is also part of the town’s history; it has been turning again since 1992. The oil-making demonstration links the old equipment with each step of the process, from preparing the walnuts to pressing the oil.

Two preserved mosaic floors from the bathhouse of a nearly 2,000-year-old villa are located on the grounds of the USM company. The Roman mosaics are open from Easter until the end of October. Check access before your visit if you are planning this seasonal experience.

Explore local history at your own pace

The trail of discovery uses a map to guide you to twelve locations in the village. There, you can explore what the places used to look like and learn about their history. SmarTrails’ digital themed and experiential trails offer further highlights: they lead to mystical places and venerable buildings, trace the remains of almost-forgotten trades, and explore Münsingen’s history. The SmarTrail “Best of Münsingen” is designed for families, school classes in grades seven to nine, and adults, and takes visitors through highlights of local history.

A walk through the old village centre traces the transformation from farming village to urban suburb. Another route follows the literary trail of Swiss crime writer Friedrich Glauser (1896–1938), leading to locations featured in his novel “Matto regiert”. The routes focus both on the town’s development and on a literary trail of discovery.

KrimiSpass is played on foot and can be played around the clock throughout the year. Allow about two hours for the investigation. If you would like to make something yourself, the workshops at Schlossstrasse 5 offer another activity; they are open to everyone, and no prior experience is required.

Throughout the year and on the move

The Münsingen plant and environmental market is held annually on the last Saturday in April in Schlossgut Park; check the date for the year in question. The arts, crafts and hobbies market is also part of Münsingen’s cultural heritage. These events complement the year-round themed trails with special occasions throughout the year.

There are various ways to get active. The Münsingen Vita Parcours, route number 70, starts at the Schwand agricultural school. The pump track at Schlossstrasse 18 is open to everyone and free to use. Münsingen outdoor swimming pool is right by the Aare.

Two Veloland cycling routes also pass through Münsingen. National Route No. 8 runs along the Aare through the town on Stage 3, from Spiez to Bern. Regional Route No. 37 leads from Riggisberg to Bern via Münsingen. Both routes end in Bern, but differ in their starting points and in their designation as a national or regional route. There are five PubliBike rental stations in the municipality, where bicycles can be hired and returned. The availability of individual stations may change; check your chosen station in advance.

Discover more destinations: Linden, Oberhünigen, Wichtrach, Aeschlen, Walkringen, Oberthal, Zäziwil, Kiesen

Go to the overview of the wider area: Konolfingen.