Oberhofen am Thunersee

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Oberhofen am Thunersee
Canton	Bern
District	Thun
Coordinates	46°46′N 7°38′E
Population	2251 (January 2005)
Area	2.8 km²
Elevation	585 m
Postal code	3653
SFOS number	0934
Website	www.oberhofen.ch
Oberhofen am Thunersee

Oberhofen am Thunersee is a village on the northern shore of Lake Thun (German: Thunersee)in Switzerland, about 5 km from the city of Thun (which is located where the river Aare leaves the lake). Ecclestically the village has allways been a section of the parish of Hilterfingen, the next village north along the lake (The village church of Hilterfingen is actually on ground that is a part of Oberhofen township). The neighboring village to the south-east is Gunten (part of the township of Sigriswil), while up the steep mountain to the north-east is the village of Heiligenschwendi (no road connection, only a footpath).

Historically Oberhofen was primarily an acricultural community (mainly vinticulture) until the late 19th century. Today it is a rather affluent suburban residential community, privileged by geography. The hill slopes to the lake toward south-west, giving both much sunlight, and a spectacular view to the glacier covered high alpine peaks of the Bernese Alps across the lake.

Castle of Oberhofen.

The dominant feature of the village is the lakeside castle of Oberhofen, dating back to the middle ages, but constantly changed and updated throughout the ages. The castle today houses a division of the Historic Museum of Bern, and has a spectacular formal lakeside garden in the english style with many rare specimen trees.

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The Wichterheer estate.

The Wichterheer estate, lakeside to the south of the castle, houses the MUMM (Museum fuer Uhren und Mechanische Music - Museum for Clock and Mechanical Music), as well as an exhibit of 20th century local art.