Discover Unterseen through its old town, a place with several historical layers. Medieval buildings shape the area around the market square; Stadthausplatz is the heart of the old town. This provides a cultural focus for planning a trip, with architecture, local landmarks and different eras to explore.
Old Town, Market Square and Town Hall
Stadthausplatz is the heart of the old town, while the town hall stands in the middle of the market square. Its history also recalls journeys of the past: the town hall was the first hotel in the Bernese Oberland. In earlier times, it provided accommodation and meals for muleteers travelling to Italy. Another historic landmark is the seal of the citizens of Unterseen. It has been in use since 1280 and bears the inscription «[Sigillum] Civitatis Inderlapen» (“Seal of the Municipality of Inderlapen”). Together, these details offer several tangible points of connection with the history of the old town.
The Church and Its Building History
Only the tower, dating from 1491, remains of Unterseen’s late Gothic church. The present-day church was built in 1852 by Johann Carl Dähler as a Neoclassical preaching hall, incorporating older elements. The pulpit and baptismal font come from the previous church. The church therefore reveals several distinct building periods: the surviving tower, the 19th-century building and furnishings from the earlier church. Architecture enthusiasts will find a tangible connection between the older structure and later design.
Museum and Archaeology
The Tourism Museum is located in the old town in a former rectory dating from 1630. The museum takes visitors on a journey through the history of Alpine tourism. Here, a historic building and a subject that looks beyond local history to Alpine tourism come together in one place. The archaeological cellar is also located not far from Stadthausplatz. It adds a distinct cultural note alongside the church’s building history and the museum’s account of tourism history.
The Aare, Events and Getting Around
A walk along the Aare in Unterseen offers lovely views and adds a riverside perspective to your view of the old town. Cultural events are regularly held in the Stadtkeller; if you would like to plan around an event, check the date in advance. A horse-drawn carriage ride can take you through the old town. These options each offer a different experience: the walk focuses on the Aare, the carriage ride takes you through the historic town, and events offer a cultural outing on a specific date.
There are also practical landmarks to help you get your bearings: the old town is just a few minutes’ walk from the centre of Interlaken, and there is a bus stop by the old town. Unterseen is in Switzerland, in the Interlaken-Oberhasli administrative district of the Canton of Bern. The old town, its connection to the centre of Interlaken and its geographical location can therefore be considered separately.
Choose Your Stay Based on Your Interests
When looking for a hotel in Unterseen, start by considering which aspect of the town you would like to shape your stay. The old town provides a setting for exploring its architectural history; the Tourism Museum focuses on the history of Alpine tourism. If you would also like to include some scenery, consider a walk along the Aare as a different focus. Cultural events in the Stadtkeller, meanwhile, take place on specific dates. Check these in advance and choose Unterseen based on which aspects of the town matter to your trip.
Discover more destinations: Gundlischwand, Leissigen, MĂĽrren, Axalp, Ringgenberg, Iseltwald, LĂĽtschental, Habkern.
For the regional travel overview: Interlaken.
