Discover Büren an der Aare
A Town Written in Stone and Water
Nestled along a gentle bend of the Aare river, Büren an der Aare has been a place of importance for nearly eight centuries. Its medieval old town — listed in Switzerland's Federal Inventory of Cultural Property — is among the best-preserved in the country, a living testament to its remarkable past.
Founded in the 12th century by the Barons of Strassberg and granted its town charter in 1260, Büren grew into a significant trading centre. Merchants transported tobacco, wine, timber, and colonial goods along the Aare, making the town a vital hub in Switzerland's inland trade routes for centuries.
The imposing Büren Castle, built between 1621 and 1624, served as the official residence of 77 Bernese Landvogts (regional governors) until the French invasion of 1798. Today it stands as the most important castle in Canton Bern, its cream façade watching over the town as it has for four centuries.
Perhaps most beloved is the famous covered wooden bridge spanning the Aare — first recorded in 1284, rebuilt over the centuries, and reconstructed after a fire in 1991. When you stay at A Knight's Collection, you are not merely renting a property. You are stepping into eight centuries of Swiss history.