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Burgdorf Castle — Castle on its hilltop with towers and red roofs in autumn sunshinePhoto: Hofec · CC BY-SA 3.0 · edited
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Burgdorf Castle

Castles & palaces ·Historic sites ·Burgdorf ·Closed
4.6913
#1things to do in BurgdorfMost reviewed in BurgdorfTravelers' Choice
  • Visit: 1–2 hours
  • Ideal for big groups, a special occasion
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About

Burgdorf Castle in Burgdorf, canton of Bern: the best-preserved Zähringer complex, on a 50-metre hill beside the Emme river.

Menu & prices

Menu

More photos 9

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Burgdorf Castle — Castle courtyard with a tall round tower and the palace wing Beat Ruest · CC BY 4.0 · edited
Burgdorf Castle — Castle courtyard with a tall round tower and the palace wingBurgdorf Castle — Aerial view of the castle towers rising above dense green forestBurgdorf Castle — Aerial view of the castle complex above the town and terracesBurgdorf Castle — Castle terrace with tables under umbrellas and a wide valley viewBurgdorf Castle — Great hall with a hooded stone fireplace and long wooden tablesBurgdorf Castle — Ceremonial hall with a richly painted wooden ceiling and tall windowsBurgdorf Castle — Tower attic with an old cannon on stone floor, light from windowsBurgdorf Castle — Long gallery of the castle museum lined with paintings and portraitsBurgdorf Castle — Red-lit museum cabinet of curiosities with weapons and household objects

What's on here

Von Ohnmacht zur Macht: Ein interaktiver Nachmittag Von Ohnmacht zur Macht: Ein interaktiver Nachmittag Saturday, 15:00 Deutsch üben im Museum Deutsch üben im Museum Wednesday, 15:00 Adventsschloss mit Handwerksmarkt Adventsschloss mit Handwerksmarkt Sunday, 11:00 Deutsch üben im Museum Deutsch üben im Museum Wednesday, 15:00 Deutsch üben im Museum Deutsch üben im Museum Wednesday, 15:00 Deutsch üben im Museum Deutsch üben im Museum Wednesday, 15:00 Deutsch üben im Museum Deutsch üben im Museum Wednesday, 15:00 Deutsch üben im Museum Deutsch üben im Museum Wednesday, 15:00 Show more

Why go

  • A treasure-map hunt with the castle ghost Burdtli, ending at a story chest in the attic, for children

Opening hours

Today10:00 – 18:00Show all
MondayClosed
TuesdayClosed
Wednesday10:00 – 18:00
Thursday10:00 – 18:00
Friday10:00 – 18:00
Saturday10:00 – 18:00
Sunday10:00 – 18:00

Don't miss

  • Frescoes in the palas chapelFrescoes from around 1330 show scenes from the life of John the Baptist.In the palas chapel of the castle.around 1330 On the map
  • The RittersaalThe smallest of the castle's three large halls, and the one that survives unaltered.The castle's knights' hall, which the museum uses. On the map
  • The square keepThe square keep is 33 metres high and 9 metres wide on each side.In the main castle, beside the rectangular residential wing. On the map
  • The bear emblem of BerneThe bear emblem of Berne is still clearly visible on the wall of the residential wing.On the wall of the residential wing, next to the keep. On the map
  • The glazed palas roofThe roof has glazed tiles that form geometric patterns.On the palas, the building that also holds the chapel.around 1430 On the map

Know before you go

  • Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00.
  • The museum's public guided tour is on Sundays, given in German, usually at 13:30.
  • The public guided tour of the museum lasts one hour.
  • The castle can be booked for weddings and other events, via an enquiry.

What's inside

  • The palas, the building where the chapel is.
  • The smaller of the two castle chapels, which keeps its Gothic frescoes.
  • The Assisensaal hall, used for parties, banquets and events, with catering available.
  • The attic, where a story chest waits at the end of the children's treasure-map hunt.
  • The tower garden, which can be booked for private drinks receptions.

Tips for your visit

  • Plan one to two hours for the visit.
  • Look at the virtual 360° tour online to see each room before you come.
  • The heritage guide, in German and French, is sold at the museum box office and online in the GSK shop.
  • Groups can choose from a range of programmes to explore the castle.
  • The castle's phone number is +41 34 426 10 20.

Best time to visit

  • From November to March, the regional winter pass gives reduced entry to the castle museum.

With kids

  • A castle ghost named Burdtli leads a treasure-map hunt through the museum.
  • Children follow the treasure map to stories in the museum and the storytelling chest in the attic.

Interesting facts4

1/4

  1. The city of Bern was founded from this castle.

    Schloss Burgdorf - Wikipedia

  2. The keep and palas, built in the late 12th century, are among the earliest brick buildings in the country.

    Schloss Burgdorf - Wikipedia
  3. 45 metres

    The outer bailey has a well that is 45 metres deep.

    Schloss Burgdorf - Wikipedia

  4. The castle is also named Château de Berthoud.

    Schloss Burgdorf | Accueil

Shorts

History

The castle stands on a 50-metre hill above Burgdorf, on the left bank of the Emme river. Under the Kyburg counts it was the capital of their county. Bern's administrators then used it as their seat. From 1798 to 1804 Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi ran his educational institute here. Since the 1880s a museum has been in the castle, and since 2020 a youth hostel and a restaurant too.

  1. late 11th centuryFortifications may have stood on the hill, under Berthold de Rheinfelden.
  2. around 1200Duke Berthold V expands the castle into a palace-like residence with a tower, a keep and a hall.
  3. 1384The city of Bern buys the castle from its impoverished former owners.
  4. 1798–1804Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi runs his educational institute in the castle.
  5. 1880sThe castle museum opens, with its main rooms and towers open to the public.
Show all
  1. 2012The cantonal administration leaves the castle after an administrative reform.
  2. 2020The castle begins to house a youth hostel and a restaurant alongside the museum.
  3. TodayThe castle hosts a museum, a restaurant, overnight rooms and events.

Photo spots

  • The castle courtyardThe courtyard is bordered by the castle walls.The courtyard of the castle. On the map

Tours and audio guides

Virtual 360° tour
Online · room to room by clicking arrows Rotate the view in each room.

Sources: Burgdorf Castle - Wikipedia · Schloss Burgdorf | Home · Schloss Burgdorf | Home · Schloss Burgdorf | Accueil · Schloss Burgdorf | Menu · Schloss Burgdorf - Wikipedia · Château de Berthoud - Wikipedia · Burgdorf Castle: booking (its own site) · Schloss Burgdorf | Virtual 360° tour & Heritage… · checked 2 Nov 2026

Where
Schlossgässli 1, Burgdorf, 3400

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Questions and answers

What are the opening hours of Burgdorf Castle?

Burgdorf Castle is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 18:00. Plan one to two hours for a visit.

How long does a visit to Burgdorf Castle take?

Plan one to two hours for the castle. The public guided tour of the museum lasts one hour and is held on Sundays.

Is there reduced entry to Burgdorf Castle in winter?

Yes. From November to March, the castle museum takes part in the Emmentaler Museumswinter-Pass, which gives reduced entry.

Is Burgdorf Castle suitable for children?

Yes. Children can follow a treasure-map hunt with the castle ghost Burdtli through the museum, ending at a story chest in the attic.

When does the guided tour of Burgdorf Castle start?

The public guided tour of the museum is held on Sundays, in German, and usually starts at 13:30.

Can I book a room at Burgdorf Castle?

Yes. Rooms can be booked on the castle's own website, for one night or longer.

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