St. Petersinsel, Protected peninsula in Lake Biel, Switzerland.
St. Petersinsel is a protected peninsula in Lake Biel with gently rising terrain and historic buildings distributed across its area. The site combines vegetation, shoreline sections, and the former monastery complex into a compact, walkable landscape.
A monastic community founded a religious center here in 1127 that operated as an important establishment for centuries. In 1484, this period ended when the site transitioned to different uses and its role shifted.
The former priory's buildings display architectural layers from different centuries and now function as a hotel and restaurant. Visitors walk through spaces where monks once lived and where travelers continue to gather for meals.
You can reach the peninsula by foot along a path through reeds from Tüscherz or by boat from nearby lake towns. Plan time to explore the full site, as the terrain varies and pathways wind through natural areas.
The French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau spent two months here in 1765 and later described this as the happiest period of his life. His time at this location left deep personal impressions that he processed in his writings.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
