Medieval Aarberg is famous for its twice-yearly «Puce» with thousands of eager spectators and shoppers, and for its old wooden bridge. On the route between the Frienisberg and the Grosse Moos, Aarberg is a popular excursion destination.

Aarberg’s ring of medieval houses sits on a slightly elevated rocky spur and the historic wooden bridge still gives an idea of how the once untamed Aare flowed around or even over Aarberg. The river meandered across and frequently flooded the Grosse Moos plain. From 1878, projects to correct the Jura waters forced the Aare into a new bed, diverting it towards the Bielersee just before Aarberg. Since then, the wooden bridge has only spanned the small channel of the Alte Aare, which carries just enough water to delight countless rubber-boat skippers.

Aarberg, built in1220 on a spur of rock surrounded by the Aare, was for a long time the only bridging point between Thun and Solothurn. The two rows of houses around the large square in Aarberg’s old town have retained their late-medieval charm. The tiny castle - small is beautiful - is a typical Bernese Renaissance building. In contrast, the town landmark, the impressive, 60m-long covered wooden bridge dating from 1568, is now clearly too big for the narrow water course.

Aarberg is not only a starting point for small boat trips but also for bikers, skaters and hikers. From here they can scale the Frienisberg or explore the fertile vegetable gardens of the Grosse Moos, e.g. on a bike tour towards Ins. Aarberg is also famous for its sugar factory. The peak season for processing sugar beet is from the end of September to December.

The nature reserve in nearby Niederried is a rest stop for many migratory birds and also home to exotic animals: the «Nordic Parc» offers a guided programme with polar wolves, polar foxes and a pack of huskies seen at close quarters - a popular attraction for families and groups.

Highlights

• Wooden bridge - made of 60m-long spruce trunks, the bridge is now definitely too big. The landmark of Aarberg.
• Aarberg townscape - the two historic rows of houses attract visitors with their numerous specialized businesses and good restaurants.
• Grosse Moos - Switzerland’s largest vegetable garden, with over 60 types of vegetables grown on an area of over 25 km2.
• Frienisberg - with field and forest paths, the plateau offers attractive leisure experiences. Reached from Aarberg or Bern and can also be cycled around.