Thun Castle

Thun Castle (German: Schloss Thun) is a castle in the city of Thun, in the Swiss canton of Bern. It was built in the 12th century, today houses the Thun Castle museum, and is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

The castle was built between 1180 to 1190 by Duke Berthold V of Zähringen, who constructed the still preserved keep to the level of the Knights' Hall. In 1218 it was inherited by the House of Kyburg, and 1384 it was taken over by the Canton of Bern. The massive roof floor (1430-36) comes from the Bernese period. In 1429, an administrative and residential wing was added to the west of the keep, built in late Gothic style, and known as the "new castle".

In 2006, the castle was bought by the city of Thun from the canton of Bern. Until the end of 2009 the Bernese Oberland regional court was based in the castle.

The castle museum is housed in the five floors of the tower, and includes cultural and historic displays showing the development of the region over some 4,000 years. It is open daily between February and October, and on Sundays only for the rest of the year. The great hall is used for concerts or plays, and can be hired for private events.