Mattenschwelle, Water regulation weir in Mattequartier, Switzerland
Mattenschwelle is a longitudinal weir running diagonally through the Aare south of Bern's old town, where the riverbed has a natural step. It consists of 65 hand-operated sluices and two semi-automatic sluices for winter operation, and it pushes about 40 m³/s of water into a commercial canal.
The Mattenschwelle is documented before 1218. In 1360 the city of Bern bought the weir and its mills for 1300 florins from Johann II von Bubenberg. Until the 17th century it consisted of wooden box structures filled with stones; a masonry wall built in 1640–1641 allowed higher water levels. It was renovated in 1983–1991 and again in 2024/25.
The weir is a working part of the city's relationship with the river, showing how residents depend on this infrastructure. You can observe how the water is directed and controlled to serve the community's daily needs.
You can view the weir from the riverbank or nearby footpaths and watch how the water moves and behaves. The site is easy to reach on foot from the surrounding area.
The weir is first documented before 1218; in 1360 Bern bought it and its mills from Johann II von Bubenberg for 1300 florins. Until the 17th century it consisted of wooden box structures anchored in the riverbed and filled with stones; a wall followed in 1640–41. The Schwellenmeister lived at today's Dalmaziquai 11, now the Restaurant Schwellenmätteli.
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