The medieval castle in Burgdorf is almost at our doorstep, yet I have never written about it as such on the blog. Although you can find several articles on the blog about trip destinations in its vicinity. I visited the castle’s interiors for the first time four years ago, in the fateful year 2020 – on the day of its reopening after a two-year renovation. The atmosphere was amazing then, but writing a blog post about a place that closed again soon afterwards due to a pandemic didn’t seem appropriate at the time. Last week, however, I attended a professional meeting in the premises of this magical castle. During his engaging talk, the mayor himself reminded us of the castle’s rich history and the incredible effort that went into turning it into a “castle for all”. After this event, I immediately knew it was time to bring up those unused photos from 2020 – and finally share the story of Schloss Burgdorf with you.
Where is the Burgdorf Castle and how to get there
By car: Burgdorf is located 10 minutes from the A1 motorway, exit Kirchberg, and can be easily reached from anywhere in Switzerland. There are no parking lots at the castle. The closest ismulti-storey car park Parkhaus Oberstadt or other car parks in the town Burgdorf.
By public transport: From Burgdorf train station it is a 15-minute walk through the old town to the castle. However, from 8 am to 11 pm, the 461 bus runs every quarter of an hour to Kronenplatz, from where it is a 3-minute walk to the castle.
Burgdorf also lies on the Grand Tour of Switzerland, a mapped out route that connects Switzerland’s main tourist attractions, which include famous towns, lakes, passes, mountains and other sights.
History of Burgdorf Castle
Schloss Burgdorf has had a fascinating journey through the centuries. Originally belonging to the Counts of Rheinfelden, it passed into the hands of the Dukes of Zähringen in 1090. Around 1200, Duke Berchtold V, the last duke of the family, had the castle rebuilt and its functions extended. This influential man also had the town of Burgdorf founded to consolidate his rule in the region. After his death in 1218, the castle became the property of the Kyburg family. However, even they did not keep the castle for long – after losing the Burgdorf War in 1383 , they had to sell it to the emerging city republic of Bern. From then on, it served as an “official castle ” and for many years was home to the regional court, the prison and the district governor’s office. Until 2012, the castle was a place of justice before its transformation into a unique cultural and social space began.*
Fun Facts about Burgdorf Castle
- The reconstruction of Burgdorf Castle revealed many interesting and surprising facts. Archaeologists have discovered traces of Bronze Age settlements on the castle hill, proving that the area has been used for thousands of years.
- Did you know that Burgdorf was founded before the capital Bern? And that 12 towns – six in Switzerland and six in Germany – are linked by the history of Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen?
- The modern reconstruction of the castle required an investment of 17 million Swiss francs, almost 500,000 of which came from a crowdfunding campaign to which local residents, businesses and villages in the surrounding area contributed.
- Did you think the castle prison was a thing of the Middle Ages? Not at all, Burgdorf Castle was a prison until 2012!
Reconstruction
In 2017 – 2020, the castle was undergoing extensive reconstruction. At an investment of 17 million Swiss francs, it was transformed into a multifunctional space including a museum, a stylish hostel belonging to the Schweizer Jugendherberge, a restaurant and a venue for festive events. Today, the main concept of the castle is “Schloss für alle” – a castle for all, also as the centre of the Emmental tourist region, a region of picturesque rolling hills, cheese, traditions and unforgettable experiences.
What you can find in the castle today:
Museum Schloss Burgdorf
The museum will guide you through the history not only of the castle, but also of the town and the whole region. In more than 20 thematic rooms you will discover collections of historical and ethnological exhibits. The Wunderkammern, as the collections are called, take you into the world of the Middle Ages, cultural attractions and global influences. They are also unique in that they are decorated according to colour (see photos below). A variety of tours and workshops are available for schools, groups and individuals – from classic guided tours to interactive experiences like the Escape-Tour or Detective-Tour. No matter what story you’re drawn to, the museum is perfectly accessible for people with limited mobility.
Opening hours and entrance fees
From April to October, the museum is open Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. From November to March, the museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. Admission is 14 francsfor an adult, 6 francs for children aged 6 to 16. For families, the third and each additional child is admitted free.
Hostel Jugendherberge
Accommodation at the castle is the ideal choice for those who want to experience an unconventional overnight stay in a medieval castle with modern comforts. Jugendherberge Schloss Burgdorf offers unique large rooms (6 beds) and family rooms (4 beds) as well as double rooms, each with its own theme and details of their furnishings refer to the history of the place. The Apotheke room, for example, will enchant you with its exposed apothecary boxes, which give the room a historical touch. In another room, you might find a vintage tiled stove or a wreath from a coffee service. A tour of the museum is also included in the price of your stay at the hostel!
Restaurant
After a tour of the castle and museum exhibitions, you will enjoy the opportunity to enjoy a bite to eat at a local restaurant. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating on the terrace under the ancient linden tree. The restaurant can also be used for family celebrations, corporate events or other festive occasions.
Burgdorf Castle for special moments
Engaged couples from near and far often choose the castle as the place for their wedding ceremony. And it’s no wonder – the magical atmosphere of the castle and the beautiful Schiltensaal, where an original medieval painting from 1686 was uncovered during the renovation process and hidden under a wooden plaque, add a special touch to every “I do”.
