Oberhofen Castle, Medieval castle on Lake Thun in Oberhofen am Thunersee, Switzerland
Oberhofen Castle is a stone fortress rising directly from Lake Thun's shore with multiple towers of varying designs. The structure spans several levels with rooms built in different styles over centuries, surrounded by a waterside park and garden area.
The castle was founded around 1200 by the local nobility and underwent major changes under different owners who shaped its appearance. Habsburg family members and later Bernese patrician families each left their mark through additions and modifications.
The rooms inside show furniture and objects that reveal how nobles lived across different centuries. Religious artwork decorates the chapel walls, offering insight into the spiritual life and artistic tastes of past residents.
The castle opens for guided tours from spring through fall, with special family tours available using flashlights to explore rooms in the evening. The park and grounds around the building are easy to walk through with paths along the waterfront.
One unusual feature is a tower room built in Burgundian style that extends out over the water itself. This suspended space lets visitors experience a rare view directly above the lake surface, showing the builders' daring design choices.
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