Twann on Lake Biel: pile dwellings, vineyards and village history

Twann lies in the Bernese Seeland on the northern shore of Lake Biel and includes the districts of Twann, Wingreis and Gaicht. If you are looking for a hotel in Twann, you can choose an area based on your interests: settlement history near the railway station, village architecture, paths through the vineyards and boat connections all offer different points of interest. Twann railway station is well connected to the rail network; Twann boat station is linked to the scheduled boat network on Lake Biel. If you plan to arrive by train or boat, check the timetable for your travel dates.

Village history at the railway station and on Hauptgasse

At the archaeological site near Twann railway station, 21 villages stood one after another during the Neolithic period. Since 2011, the site has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps”. South of the station, between the underpass and the boat landing, a stele provides information about the World Heritage Site, the rescue excavations carried out from 1974 to 1976, settlement history and cultural development. Twann was first mentioned in a document in 1185 under the name Duane and was later also called Tuanna.

Village centre, church and pile-dwelling museum

Twann is a street village with a winding main street. Its continuous built-up area has a small-town character; the intact village centre includes rows of listed houses. The Reformed church dates back to the early Middle Ages and was probably built no earlier than the 9th century, during the late Carolingian period. The Twannbach Bridge is another prominent landmark: Robert Maillart’s concrete structure dates from 1936 and forms part of the vineyard trail laid out in the 1930s.

The Dr. h.c. Carl Irlet Pile-Dwelling Museum in the Fraubrunnenhaus tells the story of life 5,000 years ago and of the collectors who rediscovered the pile dwellings around 1850. The museum is open from April to October; selected groups can visit by prior arrangement. A visit to the museum thus connects early settlement history with its rediscovery in the 19th century.

Vineyard trails and trail conditions

As you walk through Twann’s vineyards and along gardens with original dry-stone walls, you can spot plants and animals from the Mediterranean region. The Twann–Ligerz vineyard educational trail is a one-hour walk between Twann and Ligerz; informative panels cover the region’s winegrowing. The historic pilgrimage route from Twann to Ligerz is still easily walkable. Check its condition locally before setting out.

The entrance to the Twannbach Gorge trail is by the Maillart Bridge. The hiking trail through the Twannbach Gorge is closed for safety reasons due to exceptional dry conditions from 21 August 2026 until spring 2027. Check the current closure status before planning your visit. This helps you distinguish the gorge hike from the other trails and take the dated restriction into account when choosing a route.

Guided experiences and wine from Twann

A guided tour of the winegrowers’ village introduces its history and winegrowing traditions, taking visitors through preserved historic buildings and winding alleys. A village tour focuses on dark lanes, hidden gardens, and the village’s stories and legends. The two descriptions emphasize different aspects: winegrowing and historic buildings in one, gardens and storytelling in the other.

The Vinitour also combines winegrowing with a specific programme: it includes visits to three wine producers and tastings of 13 wines in total. By contrast, the vineyard educational trail is a one-hour walk with panels about the region’s winegrowing. For a culinary addition, the Treberwurst meal at the Perrot family’s wine cellar in Twann includes white wine soup from Twann, Treberwurst with potato gratin, a regional dessert and the house wines.

Discover more destinations: Nidau, Jens, Ipsach, Mörigen, Studen, Sutz-Lattrigen, Täuffelen, Ligerz.

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