Blankenburg Castle reflects the town’s long history; historic houses and the pottery workshop add traces of architecture and craftsmanship to the picture. At the same time, several routes make Blankenburg a specific destination or part of the route. The differences matter when planning: one version of the Castle Trail leads to the castle, while the challenging B1 mountain bike tour descends to Blankenburg.
Blankenburg Castle: History and Function
Blankenburg Castle is an official venue for civil weddings and the formal conversion of registered partnerships into marriages. It was first mentioned in a document in 1329. In 1386, after the Battle of Sempach, Bern established a castellan’s seat in the castle, which served as the administrative centre of the Obersimmental district. After the castle burned down completely in 1767, the Tschachtlan was able to move into a new building in the style of a country estate as early as 1770.
The main building is primarily intended for formal, museum and cultural events, as well as serving as a meeting centre. Public tours are also to be permitted in accordance with established guidelines. If you are planning a visit, check the current visitor conditions in advance.
Historic Houses and Pottery Craftsmanship
Addresses beyond the castle also offer insight into the town’s architectural history. The farmhouse at Betelriedgasse 6 is dated to 1586. The building at Hüsy-Stutz 3 dates from 1538 and has a largely intact interior layout. The two dates mark different periods of construction; the preserved interior layout at Hüsy-Stutz adds architectural evidence to the date alone.
The history of pottery also includes the former lower building of the workshop at Hüsy-Stutz 6, which has survived to this day. At the outset, the pottery workshop employed up to three journeymen and one apprentice. Around 230 ceramic objects in museums and collections in Switzerland, Germany and England are attributed to Abraham Marti’s production. Forty-six surviving ceramic objects bear dates between 1749 and 1789; this period corresponds to Marti’s time in Blankenburg. His ceramics feature a coating of white slip, with blue or polychrome brush painting beneath the glaze. The workshop’s history can thus be understood through its location and through the dates and decoration of the surviving pieces.
Hiking: Castle, Landscape and Architecture
One version of the Castle Trail leads to Blankenburg Castle and takes about two hours of pure walking time. The Scheidegg hike offers a different landscape: on the descent, it passes through alpine pastures and forests, and along mountain streams, before reaching Blankenburg. From there, the route continues along Betelriedgasse to Blankenburg railway station. Trains stop there on request.
Route W2 passes through the Spillgerte nature reserve, which includes Seebergsee. For a broader regional perspective, the Obersimmental House Trail runs through the entire Obersimmental and offers views of traditional carpentry. This is a different perspective from the individual castle route: here, the architecture of the entire valley is the focus.
Mountain Biking and Cross-Country Skiing
The difficult B1 mountain bike tour, “Zweisimmen – Seebergsee – Uff de Flüene Trail – Zweisimmen,” is 27.4 kilometres long and finishes back in Zweisimmen. Its descent leads mainly along various singletracks to Blankenburg. The section in the Seebergsee area lies within the Spillgerte nature reserve. The route is not signposted on the ground and requires GPS navigation, so make GPS navigation an essential part of your tour planning.
The Lenk–Zweisimmen cross-country ski trail also reaches Blankenburg, via an open field. Its stated distance is 12 kilometres. As route conditions can vary by season, check the current situation before setting out.
Playgrounds in Blankenburg
The playground at PĂĽĂĽrt-Huus offers a medium-sized range of play equipment, including a suspension bridge. The Schlegelholz / Blankenburg playground is also described as having a medium-sized range of play equipment. It can be reached via Moosbachweg: after turning off the road from Zweisimmen towards Lenk, it is about two kilometres to the playground and fire pit.
For the regional travel overview: Zweisimmen.
