The City and the castle of Erlach
24 September 2024
Erlach (also known as Cerlier in French) is first mentioned in the 11th century. Burkhard von Fenis (bishop of Basel 1072-1105) built the castle, and his brother Kuno von Fenis (bishop of Lausanne 1093-1103) founded the abbey St. Johannsen. Count Rudolf von Neuenburg-Nidau (Lake Biel was formerly known as Nidauersee) granted city rights in 1266.
The castle is one of the oldest in the canton of Bern. The Counts of Neuenburg also lived there.
In the 13th century, the castle became the property of the Dukes of Savoy, who used it as the bailiff’s residence. Bern conquered the town in 1474. Nowadays, the castle houses an educational institute and the Museum of Erlach.
(Source and further information: www.museumerlach.ch)
Erlach and St. Petersinsel/l’Ile Saint-Pierre
Erlach Castle
Other impressions
Martin Disler (1949-1996), sculpture from ‘Häutung und Tanz’, 1990. Loan from Galerie Mayhaus, Erlach
Image: Museum Erlach
Image: Museum Erlach