Interlaken Switzerland

Interlaken – Between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz

Interlaken, this name is programme: Between (inter) lakes (lacus) a residential area emerged that over the years developed into a popular holiday destination. Interlaken was called Aarmühle for a long time, and was renamed only at the end of the 19th century.

The beginning of everything was – like very often – a monastery. Around 1100, Augustinian monks came and created their abbey. During the 16th century, the building passed into governmental possession, the monastery was dissolved. Since then, numerous extensions and renovations have changed the appearance of the castle Interlaken. Today, innumerable pewter figures live in the rooms, telling visitors exciting stories of ancient times. A traditional event in Interlaken are the Tell open-air games. Since 1912, during the summer months, actors have been telling visitors the history of the hero Wilhelm Tell according to Schiller’s world-famous play. If talking about Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau in Switzerland, it is obvious these are mountains.

These three mountains belong to the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn, a large area nominated as World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. The region around Interlaken offers many possibilities of discovering the Swiss mountains: The Harder Kulm (1,322m), landmark mountain of Interlaken, provides for a wonderful view to the town and the countryside. At the base terminal, ibexes and marmots are on the rampage in the wildlife park (Alpenwildpark). Since 1913, the association Alpenwildpark pursues the goal of settling the ibex in the region.

Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau – in the view

On the Niederhorn (1,950 m), about 10 kilometres apart from the centre of Interlaken, you have a wonderful view to Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Wanderers and nature observers will feel at home here. Another kind of having a look at the Swiss mountains starts about 20 kilometres apart from Interlaken. At the station Stechelberg you get on the Schilthornbahn. This funicular brings its passengers upwards to the Schildhorn (3,000 m) within about half an hour.

This is where James Bond roamed around already as well. „Im Geheimdienst Ihrer Majestät“ (1969) was shot in airy height. At that time as well as today you can turn around the own axis on the mountain top: In the turning restaurant you can enjoy a cosy all-around view to the Swiss mountains.

The peaks of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, Titlis and Mont Blanc are just a few of the approx. 200 mountain tops passing the windows. Directly from the railway station Interlaken east there are connections to the Jungfraujoch (3,471 m). By means of the Jungfraubahn you overcome the massif and can get high above to the highest station of Europe.

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