Studen brings together Petinesca’s Roman past and a landscape of fields, forests and rivers. The renaturalised course of the Alte Aare is part of this landscape. In Studen, nature, history and outdoor activities come together.
On foot and by bike
Studen has numerous walking and hiking routes where you can explore the surrounding area. Cycling routes also offer a way to get to know the landscape. For cycling, the 38-kilometre Seeland Discovery Tour is a specific route: it continues towards Lyss and Studen, and across the Nidau-Büren Canal to Biel. This puts walking routes and a clearly specified cycling distance in view as different ways to explore the area.
Petinesca and its Roman heritage
Petinesca was the region’s centre from the 2nd century BC to the 4th century AD. Its Roman heritage includes the Gumpboden temple district, which the Archaeological Service of the Canton of Bern comprehensively restored in 2011. This led to the creation of the region’s first archaeological park in Studen. The two names refer to different things: Petinesca to the region’s historic centre, and Gumpboden to the temple district.
The Roman Gate is located in the village of Studen. The temple ruins of Petinesca can only be reached on foot. The Nouveau Musée Bienne organises guided tours of Petinesca for groups, companies and schools.
Art, mini golf and wildlife
The Fondation Saner collection offers a different cultural focus: Concrete art from Zurich is at its heart, and it also includes important representatives of 20th-century Swiss art. Those weighing up their cultural interests will find two distinct subject areas here: Petinesca’s Roman regional history and 20th-century Swiss art.
The mini-golf and miniature-golf facilities are set in a well-maintained park with more than a thousand roses. At Minigolf Florida, visitors receive a club, ball and player card at the entrance after paying the admission fee. The game is thus combined with time spent in a landscaped park.
The Seeteufel adventure park features more than 40 animal species from all five continents. There are plenty of play options for children aged 2 to 12. These include a miniature railway, pedal go-karts, climbing equipment and pony rides, as well as other play and entertainment options. Wildlife and play activities give a visit there a different focus from the historical and artistic themes.
Getting there and the history of the Aare
Studen BE railway station is on the Biel/Bienne–Lyss–Bern line and offers regular services in both directions. We recommend checking the current timetable when planning your journey.
The history of the Aare is also part of the local landscape: over the course of history, floods occasionally damaged or destroyed the village of Studen and the surrounding fields. Between 1868 and 1891, the Jura water correction diverted the Aare.
Discover more destinations: Ipsach, Täuffelen, Nidau, Jens, Mörigen, Ligerz, Twann, Sutz-Lattrigen
Go to the main travel overview: Nidau.
