Aarberg lies on a sandstone ridge that rises above the plain. A former diversion of part of the Aare’s waters turned the rocky hill into an island. Aarberg was founded around 1220 by the lord of the castle; in 1271, Count Ulrich V granted the town its charter.
Wooden Bridge and Town History
The present wooden bridge is a landmark of Aarberg and is protected as a historic monument. It was built on four sandstone pillars in 1568. Cross the famous bridge to reach the heart of the small town. The historic town centre is arranged around a well-kept town square, whose picturesque façades define the town. Restaurants and specialty shops can be found around the square.
The castle also tells the story of Aarberg’s former role: from 1358 to 1830, it was the residence of around a hundred bailiffs. The present tower of the Reformed church dates from 1526. The church preserves historic choir stalls and a baptismal font with the grave inscription of Gabriel Gross.
The hamlet of Spins, which belongs to Aarberg, has stately farmhouses and well-kept orchards; it is protected as a landscape. AARinfo at Stadtplatz 28 offers another way to explore the town’s history. This multimedia tourist information centre is self-service and provides changing thematic insights into Aarberg’s history. It is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Alte Aare and Its Trails
The present-day Alte Aare was formed as a result of the first Jura water correction, carried out from 1868 to 1891. At that time, the Aare between Aarberg and Meienried was reduced to a small watercourse. The revitalisation of the floodplain created new pools, ponds and flood zones. Numerous animals and plants have settled there, including some species that are highly endangered. The Alte Aare near Aarberg is a nature reserve; the stretch between Studen and Aarberg is considered a floodplain protection area of national importance.
You can stroll, jog and hike along the Alte Aare. A flat riverside walk starts at Aarberg railway station, leads through the historic town and continues through the nature reserve to Büren an der Aare. The stretch of the Aare between Aarberg and Büren is also part of the cultural hiking trail “In the Footsteps of the Huguenots and Waldensians”. When exploring, please note that you must not enter the riverside vegetation or the waters of the Giessen streams and pools.
Markets and Special Experiences
The Supermärit Aarberg is held every year in May in the historic Stedtliplatz. More than 40 market stalls offer regional specialities and fresh food to sample and buy. The selection may vary from one edition to the next; event dates may also change, so check the organiser’s latest information in advance. At the Zibelemärit, you’ll find traditional onion and garlic products as well as food stalls run by Aarberg’s clubs. This selection, too, may vary from one edition to the next. Aarberg also hosts monthly markets, the Green Market and the Chlausermarkt; individual market dates may change.
At the Aarberg plant of Schweizer Zucker AG, you can take a guided tour and watch the process from unloading the sugar beets to filling the sugar into packages. Tours are seasonal: they are available during the beet-processing period from mid-October to early December and require advance registration. A tour takes around 120 minutes, including the film. Check the plant’s latest visitor information in advance.
The Aarberg equestrian days traditionally take place over Ascension weekend at the Aarolina. The facility includes a 4,200 m² all-weather arena, a dressage warm-up arena and a grass arena for the concours. Check the organiser’s latest information about dates and the facility, as event details may change.
Badi Aarbärg has a wheelchair-accessible pool entrance with a pool lift. Check the conditions before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Aarberg, Rapperswil, Radelfingen, Lyss, SchĂĽpfen, Kallnach, Seedorf, Obersimmental.
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